Oregon Hikers

Southern Oregon ... went into the Blue Canyon Basin in Sky Lakes Wilderness last weekend. The yellowjackets around Medford are epic this year. In the basin we saw no mosquitoes and very few yellowjackets .. didn't even bother us when we were eating. On the hike back out via Blue Canyon Lake trail, w...

You didn't say what part of summer. No specific suggestions 'cause you're north of my home area, but if you're trying to avoid mosquitoes, I'd suggest hiking the Coast Range and stay clear of the Cascades 'til at least mid August. Usually by the time the mosquitoes are gone, the yellowjackets are st...

Nice write-up!! A few notes. The trail near Big Bunchgrass / Barefaced Butte .. that is the old 1089A trail. I've almost, but not quite, connected clear through. There's a section of about 200-300 yards where I get off course. I suspect the trail switchbacks in a steep meadow. Other places I can usu...

It might be too late for this year. I can't speak to the Portland area but here near Medford it seems over and done. (Moreover, the run was weak this year, no redds on the gravel behind the house where they usually spawn.) I found 1-2 spawned out salmon gasping their last gasps and some fish parts 3...

If you get to Ashland, one option might be to contact one of the mountain bike shops. They often offer shuttles for downhill riders from town up to the ski area or nearby saddles. Or Uber or Lyft .. they just started operating in Ashland. I'd offer ya a ride myself but I'm unsure of availability. Ju...

I would watch out for any trails that have substantial creek crossings w/o bridges. Even at lower elevations, with so much snow up high to melt, stream crossings could be treacherous. If you are considering SW Oregon, you might try contacting the Siskiyou Mountain Club (from Ashland) for trail infor...

Ah, poison oak. I laugh, I gloat: I'm immune to it. I used to get it pretty bad as a kid but it just ... quit. It requires an open wound now and even then, is less bothersome than a minimal skeeter bite. Ticks ... different story. I don't like anything with 8 legs. Not fond of stuff with 6. 4 isn't ...

There are a lot of variables. Summers are not all the same. It depends on which part of the Cascades you're in. If you're going clear through, it can depend on which direction you go. The south end can be downright hot and that becomes more probable as you get farther into July. You can have temps e...

Excellent! I'll bookmark those and do some research. Thank you ...

I'm looking for a day pack that combines the features found in several but apparently not found together. I need a lot of organization. The best packs I've found for this are 5.11 Tactical's Rush 12 and Rush 24 but being tactical packs they are incredibly heavy for their size. Next up is Badlands' R...