Central Oregon Explore
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Start date: 05/24/2019
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Start time: 12:00 AM
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End date: 05/26/2019
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End time: 11:59 PM
Description:
SPACE IS OPEN FOR ONE PERSON - SIGN UP!
This is a 3-day experience into Central Oregon's Outback that includes learning about early human habitation, geology, and the Pleistocene. Our route will include the archaeological site of Fort Rock Cave, the 2-mile long volcanic fissure known as Crack in the Ground, and the Fossil Lake area. The last third of this trip is exploratory.
We will depart Eugene and enjoy a short rest at Salt Creek Falls before continuing to the curious 3-sided vertical-wall formation known as Fort Rock. Fort Rock was once an island on an ancient lake and smoothed area from wave action can be seen on its walls. We will hike for about 2 miles exploring this curiosity. On our way out, we'll visit the local Homestead Museum and learn about how the area's modern water supply has affected more recent history. Our camp is 15 minutes away, there are showers, a small store, and (if allowed) we will be able to enjoy a fire. The nearby area is open space with trails. Being the Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend this campsite might be busy, bring earplugs.
The next morning we will visit the rarely seen Fort Rock Cave with an interpretive guide. Only about 100 members of the public get to see this cave every year and our group has tickets! It's at this cave where 9,500-year-old sandals were discovered, and it was once thought to be the oldest site of human habitation in the western US. In the afternoon we will drive to Christmas Valley to resupply as needed then off to "Crack in the Ground" an ancient volcanic fissure. The fissure is over 2 miles long and in places 70-feet deep. In the late afternoon, we'll drive about ten miles to a rustic ranch to camp. That evening we'll tent camp under the stars listening to coyotes. The area is remote and off-the-grid, electricity will not be available, but there are water and an outhouse. There are a couple of friendly, but large ranch dogs that will be wandering around. We will have a fire if conditions allow. The moon will be waning gibbous with about 60% illumination.
On the third day, we drive less than 10 miles to Fossil Lake. During the Pleistocene, this area was part a vast lake. Today, this high desert region is important because of fossil evidence from the many animals that once swam in the lake and walked its shores. It is in this area that a racetrack of 43,000-year-old mammoth tracks was uncovered in 2017. Our visit to the area will include 2 to 3 miles of walking. There will be little to no shade, bring sun-gear. In the afternoon we return to Eugene, the plan is to be home by dinnertime.
Trip Departure:The departure location will be e-mailed to participants closer to the trip date (it will be in south Eugene).
Camping & Ticket Fees:
Reservations have been pre-paid by the trip leader. Participants need to pay $40 (includes, 2-nights of camping fees and coveted tickets to Fort Rock Cave) to the trip leader at the beginning of the trip. Admission to the Homestead Museum is additional
Mileage & Carpool:
While most of the roads are paved about 40 miles will be on dusty roads. Driving mileage has been determined by Google Maps, however, we will be using backroads for parts of the trip and estimating mileage is not always accurate. Please allow for some flexibility with odometer readings and bring a few extra dollars to have on hand to voluntarily reimburse the drivers.
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Event Leader: Mark Hougardy
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Event Leader Phone: 541-206-9532
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Event Leader Email: hougardy@gmail.com
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Assistant Leader:
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Event category: Trips
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Area Type:
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Departure Location: See Trip Description
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Rating: Easy
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Roundtrip total drive miles: 401
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Season: 2019
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Permits Required:
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Event Status: Passed
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Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring your camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, camp stove), and your own food. Dress for the weather.
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participant prerequisites:
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Conditions:
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Total Distance: 8
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Member Fees: 2
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Elevation Gain: 300
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Non-Member Fees: 10
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Committee: Trips
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Junior member fees: —
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