Columbia Group - Outings
Welcome to Columbia Group Outings!
Mt Hood photo by Karen Ashford
The Columbia Group of the Sierra Club includes all of northwest Oregon from Astoria to The Dalles and south to McMinnville and Tillamook. The Group office is located in Portland, Oregon. Outings are offered in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.
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General Information
All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver.
If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, refer to: Outings Form or contact the Outings department at (415) 977-5630 for a printed version.
You don’t have to be a member to participate!
Arrive with adequate food, water and clothing. If in doubt about your ability to complete a hike, please consult with the leader before the trip.
Field guides, snacks to share and humor are welcome.
Please leave your pet at home unless otherwise specified or with prior approval from the leader. Entertainment devices are discouraged. Firearms are prohibited.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Most day trips require no advance reservations unless “reservations required” or “group size limited” is indicated.
Participants are encouraged to contribute a small donation for the outing. These optional donations help the Group Outings Program to offer professional leaders’ training courses, carbon offset contributions, and other outings activities to strengthen and diversify Columbia Group outings.
Carpooling is encouraged. Riders traditionally share expenses with drivers depending on vehicle and number of riders.
See TriMet’s website to find out how to get to the carpool location via mass transit.
Upcoming Outings 2009
October
Louse Canyon in SE Oregon - Full Moon Backpack
October 8th - 13th, (Thursday through Tuesday, Columbus Day)
Strenuous, Rugged terrain. 40 miles of incredible scenery and canyon exploration, No Trails
Rated in Loraine’s Backpacking Oregon an 8 (or 10) in scenery, 10 in solitude, and 10 in difficulty. According to Loraine “This is an extremely remote and rugged hike down the canyon of the West Little Owyhee River. The canyon features towering cliffs, colonnades and pinnacles, pools of water reflecting canyon walls, and wildlife.
The hike is extraordinarily rough and should be contemplated only by very experienced and well equipped hikers willing to expend an enormous amount of both physical and mental energy to enjoy this adventure.” Hike requires a shuttle (drivers available locally.)
Pre-registration required by Sept 30th at http://www.meetup.com/Portland-Hiking-Group/calendar/10818735/.
$15 refundable or donatable deposit. Max 12 people.
Leader: David Burdick david.burdick@oregon.sierraclub.org or (503) 654-2070.
Latourell Falls Trail Tending in the Columbia Gorge
October 17th, Saturday
“Any fool can destroy trees
They can not run away”
John Muir - Sierra Club Founder
Come join the Sierra Club and Oregon Parks & Recreation on this 2 mile loop around a double water fall with commanding views of the Gorge. All are welcome, including children when they bring their parent or legal guardian. Tools are supplied or bring your own loppers, shovels &c.
The work schedule lasts 4 to 6 hours with volunteers frequently gathering for a late lunch at McMenamins Edgefield. Bring work gloves, water and snack to suit. Carpool at 8:15 am from Gateway Park & Ride or meet 9 am at the trailhead: I-84 east to exit #28, right at the triangle, then west 3 miles to trailhead parking. RSVPs are nice to plan tools, or just show up.
Leader: Dave Bybee davebybee@oregon.sierraclub.org (360) 993-4247. If you’d like to be on Dave’s private email list for future work parties, send Dave a “Latourell” email.
Sierra Sunday Stroll - Hoyt Arboretum
October 25th, Sunday
Easy, 4 miles, 200 ft. elevation gain
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
This beautiful loop has us strolling through open meadows, past views of Mount Hood and through stands of Giant Sequoia, Norway Spruce, White Pine and some of the oldest trees on earth - the Bristle Cone! The Arboretum is called natures living museum and we’ll see why as we enjoy all this area has to offer.
Please meet at 1:00 p.m. at the bottom of the steps to the World Forestry Center. We’ll walk rain or shine as most of the hike is in the trees. Well behaved dogs on leashes welcome.
Reservations required by October 24th; lauren73223@gmail.com or (503) 228-1417.
November
Hot Springs in the Shadow of the Range of Light
November 6th - 10th, (Friday through Tuesday)
Co-Sponsored by the Oregon Chapter Columbia Group and the Angeles Chapter Wilderness Adventures Section.
27th Annual Tour of the Mother Lode of Hot Springs in the Bishop/Bridgeport area south of Reno in eastern California. In 4 days of car caravaning and tranquil saunters we’ll soak in 10 different rustic hot springs to qualify you for the coveted Sierra Club Hot Spring Patch.
Starting Friday night we’ll stay at the historic Winnedumah hotel with breakfast. Succeeding nights include lodging and gourmet dinners at some of the most unique, off the beaten path venues the Eastern Sierra has to offer. Group size is limited and always has a waiting list.
Please mail two (2) self-addressed, 44¢ stamped, legal size envelopes (or email address), check for $240 made payable to “Sierra Club” with day & night phone numbers for participant rideshare self-networking list to leader: Dave Bybee, 2600 NE Minnehaha St. BB-18, Vancouver WA, 98665-1300, phone: 360-993-4247, email: davebybee@oregon.sierraclub.org
Outings Meeting Places
Beaverton Elmonica Park & Ride (Map)
1200 SW 170th Ave Beaverton Oregon
Located at SW 170th and Baseline Rd (Off of Hwy 26, take the Cornell Rd. exit, immediately turn left onto 158th, proceed to Baseline Rd., take a right to 170th where the lot is on the right.) Meet at the rear of the parking lot, away from the tracks.
Gateway Park & Ride (Map)
1321 NE 99th Ave Portland Oregon
Located off of I-84 (Exit 7 eastbound from Portland between Multnomah and Pacific, behind the Gateway Fred Meyer). We meet on the sidewalk on the south side of the parking garage.
More Outings Opportunities
High Desert Committee Outings
Loo-Wit Group Outings
Audubon Society of Portland
Join the local Audubon Society for "wild in the city" and explore Portland’s green spaces by kayak, bike, and foot. These outings are a great way to learn about Portland wildlife.
Bark
Bark is a non-profit grassroots forest protection group working to preserve the forests, waters, and wildlife of Mt. Hood. On the second Sunday of every month Bark leads hikes to visit threatened areas of Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding lands. Carpools leave from the Hollywood Trader Joe’s at (4121 NE Halsey) at 9:00 am sharp.
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge Spring hikes
One of the best hiking groups around. Learn about Gorge trails, geography and wildflowers. There are hikes from March 17 to June 17
Klickitat Trail Conservancy
Hiking and biking trips the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month. The trial follows the old rail corridor that starts in Lyle, Washington, and continues 31 miles north into Swale Canyon.
Mazamas
Mazamas sponsors hundreds of hikes each year in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. These include moderate hikes, strenuous conditioning hikes, trail tending (work trips), backpacks, snow bivouacs, beach hikes, snowshoe clinics, street rambles and short family oriented walks around Portland. The Mazamas tend to hike at a faster pace than other hiking groups.
Native Plant Society of Oregon
The Native Plant Society offers free wildflower hikes. Nonmembers and beginners welcome. Learn plant ID, plant lore, and great places to see flowers.
Oregon Nordic Club
The Portland Chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club is dedicated to promoting greater participation in and understanding of the value of outdoor recreation with an emphasis on Nordic skiing.
Trails Club of Oregon
Hiking and biking group of Oregon. Non members are welcome.
