OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Southern Oregon hiking and biking, outings, celebrations and more

1/2
Swipe or click to see more
It’s been one year since Grants Pass celebrated the opening of 11 miles of hiking and biking trails on Dollar Mountain, located adjacent to the city’s northwest side. The city and its partners will celebrate the trail system’s one-year anniversary on Sunday with demonstrations, a guided hike, giveaways and more. See details below. City of Grants Pass photo.
(City of Grants Pass photo/Courtesy)
2/2
Swipe or click to see more
CUTLINE:

This photograph of Horseshoe Bend on the Upper Rogue River, with the the Rabbit Ears formation in the distance, was taken by U.S. Forest Service employee Amalie Dieter as part of an employee photo contest conducted by the
(Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest/Courtesy)

Celebrate one year of the Dollar Mountain trail system in Josephine County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Dollar Mountain trailhead, 235 Hieglen Loop in Grants Pass.

There will be goodies, giveaways, bike demonstrations and a guided hike. The 2.5-mile hike, led by the Southern Oregon Trail Alliance, begins at noon. A range of partners in the project will be on hand.

Maps of the trail system and more are at https://bit.ly/4z7Fily and https://bit.ly/4sB97cx.

Learn about dirt, soil amendments, tree pruning

Learn about soil, soil amendments and tree pruning during courses offered in November by the Jackson County Extension Service.

• Learn about soil’s role in the ecosystem and more during an online presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Cost is $15. Get tickets at apps.ideal-logic.com/osuextension.

• Learn about soil testing and common organic amendments during a free interactive workshop set for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the extension station, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. Lunch provided. Register at https://bit.ly/4sEnrRw.

• Learn how early, well-planned pruning helps trees grow stronger, safer and better shaped during a presentation set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the extension station. Cost is $15. Register at https://bit.ly/4A7gv1Q.

Contact the extension service at 541-776-7371 or visit extension.oregonstate.edu/jackson.

KS Wild hosts photo exhibit, film tribute, hike and more

The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center is hosting several events in November, including a photography exhibit, film tribute, hike and activist night:

• Join photographer Brandon Breen and view his nature photographs during a First Friday art show on Nov. 6 at KS Wild’s office, 562 A St. in Ashland.

• Attend a film tribute to local activist Dot Fisher-Smith from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall. Filmmakers will host a question-and-answer session afterward. Cost is $15.

• Take a difficult 10-mile hike that gains 2,500 feet in elevation to the summit of Stein Butte from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14. Carpool options available.

• Attend an information session about taking action the KS Wild office

For more, visit kswild.org or call 541-488-5789, ext. 1014.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts kickoff, film showing

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is hosting a winter kick-off celebration and Warren Miller film showing on Nov. 7.

The celebration is set for 2-5 p.m. at the Virginia Vogel Plaza, 200 E. Main St. in Medford. There will be food and drink available for purchase, plus games, a raffle and live music.

The film showing of Warren Miller’s Days Off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Collier Center for the Performing Arts, 23 S. Central Ave. in Medford. Cost for the showing is $20-$25 in advance or $30 at the door. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/4A5di2u.

Learn about blackberries, birding, mushrooms and meadows

The Siskiyou Field Institute is offering workshops on blackberry control, birding basics, fall mushrooms and building native meadows.

• Learn about blackberry control methods, treatment options and restoration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6. Free. No registration required.

• Learn about bird identification through bird songs, mnemonics and field observation and then take a gentle hike of 1-3 miles, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7. Cost is $45.

• Learn how to transition fields and small properties to native plant communities without tillage or herbicides, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15. Cost is $25.

Classes are held at SFI, 1241 Illinois River Road, Selma. Register at thesfi.org. Contact the organization at 541-597-8530.

Gaze at stars, pull weeds at two Applegate events

The Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council is hosting a stargazing event Nov. 6 and a work party on Nov. 7.

Stargazing is set for 6-9 p.m. at LongSword Vineyard, 8555 Highway 238, Jacksonville, with gates open at 6 p.m. and a presentation on the significance of dark skies commencing at 7 p.m., followed by stargazing after 7:45 p.m.

Bring a chair, blanket and binoculars, if you have them. A digital telescope will be available. Dress warmly. Wine and beer available for purchase.

The work party is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the next day at the Bureau of Land Management’s Provolt Recreation Site, 14171 Williams Highway. Potential projects include noxious weed removal, nest box maintenance and message board installation.

Bring layers, sturdy shoes, work gloves and a camp chair. A hot lunch is provided at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Liz Shen at apparks@apwc.info.

Chainsaws, backpacking, hikes and more

Siskiyou Mountain Club is offering a wide variety of activities in November.

• Women’s chainsaw training, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8 in Klamath Falls. Cost is $175 for non-members, free for members.

• A short talk about Sattitla Highlands National Monument, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at club headquarters, 106 Talent Ave. in Talent. Snacks provided.

• Women’s backpacking basics workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Cost is $45 or free for members.

• Help restore trail conditions along the North Umpqua Trail, Nov. 14-15. Camp overnight. To sign up, send an email to trevor@siskiyoumountainclub.org.

• Take a guided 5-mile hike on trails near Babyfoot Lake in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness on Nov. 14. Carpool from Talent at 8:30 p.m. and return by 5 p.m. Space is limited. To sign up, call 458-254-0657 or send an email to info@siskiyoumountainclub.org.

For more, visit siskiyoumountainclub.org or call 458-254-0657.

Take a hike with Medford Parks and Rec

Medford Parks and Recreation offers many guided hikes for adults, with costs ranging from $21 to $58. Outings depart from Rogue X, 901 Rossanley Drive.

Hikes for people 55 years and older include Cathedral Hills, Nov. 7; Mill Creek Falls, Nov. 13; Lithia Park, Nov. 20; Jacksonville Forest, Nov. 28; Ti’lomikh Falls, Dec. 11 and whale watching, Dec. 12.

Hikes for all adults include Lithia Park, Nov. 8; Buck Rock Tunnel, Nov. 14; Medford downtown, Nov. 21; Jacksonville Railroad Loop, Dec. 5; and Rogue River Greenway Trail, Dec. 6.

Space is limited. If openings are full, waitlists typically are available. View listings at https://bit.ly/4x2Od6p. Get more information at 541-774-2400.

Learn about cranberries, vegetable gardening

The Oregon State University Extension Service in Josephine County is offering a free two-part online workshop about vegetable crops and an in-person class on uses for cranberries:

• The vegetable workshops are set for 3:30-5 p.m. Nov. 12 and Dec. 16. The first session focuses on common problems such as nutrient deficiencies, environmental stress, root problems and disease. The season session focuses on vertebrate pests such as voles, ground squirrels and rabbits. Register at https://bit.ly/4eeDNu6.

• The cranberry class is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Learning Center, 215 Ringuette St. in Grants Pass. Make a jar of jam and relish and learn about making juice. Cost is $25. Register at https://bit.ly/4knfkqg.

For more information, call 541-241-3050 or visit extension.oregonstate.edu/josephine.

Cities publish fall activity guides

Central Point, Ashland and Medford have published fall activity guides. View Central Point’s at https://bit.ly/3SHVGtR, Ashland’s at https://bit.ly/4zO1LWa and Medford’s at https://bit.ly/3UvuFKu.

Send us news about your upcoming event

Want to publicize your upcoming outdoors event for free? Send details to writer Shaun Hall at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com.

Shaun Hall is a freelance writer living in Grants Pass.