OregonBackpacking

12/22/2022

Great price to support a local author dedicated to one of my favorite things! Would recommend 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As most of you know, I offer seasonal memberships to the Hike Oregon website. Once a year I have an offer where you can sign up for 1 year memberships so you don't have to renew every season and you save some money. https://www.hikeoregon.net/store/p104/1_Year_Hike_Oregon_Membership.html
Your yearly membership will include:
-With your membership you save $5 and you don't have to deal with the hassle of re-purchasing a new membership every season!
-Exclusive uninterrupted access to the 45+ member only hike descriptions on the website.
-1 to 2 guaranteed NEW hike posts per season that only members can access each season, relevant to the current season and weather conditions and closures.
-FREE printer friendly hike write-ups.
(Memberships will begin on 12/22/2022 - the first day of winter. This is a WONDERFUL way to ensure the continuation of Hike Oregon).

09/09/2020

https://www.klcc.org/post/wildfire-closures?fbclid=IwAR1o9Vgq8YquB8XT7Q4rY8hdk-HOqOPqD3KghBoxx6mYC4Kwj7saAx18gUE

Due to wildfires and poor air quality from smoke in the KLCC listening area, there have been many closures. Here is a compiled list of what we know so far.

09/09/2020

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/09/08/oregon-road-closures-updates-list-odot-tripcheck-closures-due-wildfires/5749909002/?fbclid=IwAR1lWslGZKavME6j8kp12LTOjBWn3yy-yR1FjAruiJCV3lZqVpU42tybOns

The Lionshead and Beachie Creek wildfires in Oregon have sparked road closures. Here is a list, according to the Department of Transportation.

09/07/2020

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/09/07/oregon-wildfires-lionshead-beachie-creek-fire-mount-jefferson-wilderness-opal-creek-jawbone-flats/5737812002/

A major day of wildfire growth is possible as high winds arrive Monday night through Tuesday morning.

08/14/2020

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/08/14/covid-19-coronavirus-oregon-outdoors-salem-opal-creek-crowding-parking/3356097001/

One of Oregon's most popular places to cool off in summer has been slammed with visitors this summer.

08/13/2020

Eagle Cap / Lakes Basin / Wallowa Lake TH + Two Pan TH report:

It’s spectacular and it’s not going anywhere, go another year. We recommend an alternative location due to over crowding.

Visited this area over the last 6 days, we had hoped it wouldn’t be over crowded especially during week days, we were wrong. Doing research beforehand there were posts from folks saying they had only seen very few people during trips this year - this is incorrect in the main basin. This is a spectacular location but it is way overcrowded this year. Much more so than in previous years and even busy during mid-week, but overwhelmed during weekend days. We left early partly due to massive crowds and difficulty in finding back country camp sites. Recommend waiting for a future non COVID crazed year or for a permit system to limit crowds. There are LOTS of other trails in this system that you can visit which will be way less crowded. I will share pictures of the trip later this year as not to encourage more travel to the area at this time.

Wallowa Lake TH - 70% parking lot on A Thursday evening / 110% full Wednesday afternoon

Two Pan TH - 150% full parking lot - extended about 1/4 mile down road / 120% full on Wednesday afternoon.

People encountered during 6 days: 300+
Occupied Campsites seen during 6 days: 75 - 100

Issues present: Overcrowding, lack of campsites, no rangers, people camped on closed peninsula, tents pitched in wildflower meadows (next to open dirt campsites), trash, f***s, toilet paper, mosquitos, groups larger than 12 present, loud music from hikers/camp spots, etc.

08/04/2020

Timewarp Tuesday!

Backpacking at Jeff Park Circa 2001

07/31/2020

Current fire info:

A centralized prescribed fire smoke, wildfire smoke, air quality and community health resource for residents of Bend, Sisters, Redmond, Sunriver, La Pine, Prineville, Madras and elsewhere in Central Oregon. Info includes updates on wildfires and when/where prescribed burning is planned in our area.

07/31/2020

Free topo maps:

https://archive.org/details/maps_usgs

07/30/2020

Thinking of backpacking during colder times, during this first really warm week for us in the PNW. Keep cool out there!

07/28/2020

Watch out if you have hiking plans in the Mt. Jefferson area.

Firefighters are attacking a few small wildfires in the Mount Jefferson area following lightning strikes Monday night and a few trails have been closed.

07/28/2020

An example of a White Bog Orchid. Typically found in areas such as wet places, including marshes, stream sides, springs, and bog.