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Past Activity

Blacktail Ridge @ North Bank Habitat Area

  • Start date: 03/18/2025

  • Start time: 9:00 AM

  • End date: 03/18/2025

  • End time: 2:00 PM

Description:

This is a hilly exposed hike. Starts uphill to the ridge line. At the top, we’ll have the option to divert from the loop to admire some giant beautiful madrone trees (out and back 1/4 mi). Back at the junction, we’ll continue N over the Middle Ridge and down the N Ridge. This section is quite exposed to the elements but with views. After a descent, the trail leads back to the cars (potential soggy/ muddy section). Suggested voluntary compensation to drivers would be $14.30

Instructions: Meet at LCC parking lot (off Eldon Shafer Dr) at 9 am. We’ll leave at 9:15 am and drive S on I-5 toward Roseburg. Exit 135 to Wilbur. Follow signs to OR 99 S/ Old Hwy 99 N and proceed 4 miles. L onto N Bank Rd and drive 5.4 mi (Alltrails or Google directions).
No bathrooms at parking lot.
Potential cancellation based on weather conditions.

Photo by: Rae Obrien

  • Event Leader: Signe Wright

  • Event Leader Phone: 919-225-8160

  • Event Leader Email: shwright_07@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader: Hank Wright

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Foothills

  • Departure Location: Lane Community College, parking lot nearest stoplight

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 130

  • Season: 2025

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring: water, food, shoes for mud/water, hiking poles (optional), rain/wind gear.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 1745

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Under a forecast threatening rain and constrained by a tight return time, the leader, assistant leader and one brave soul headed out on an ambitious hike to complete an 8 mile loop with 1745\' elevation gain, in just 3 hrs and 20 mins (AllTrails estimated 4 hrs). This was also to include a short side jaunt to pay homage to the grove of mighty Madrone trees. Under sunny skies we made a brisk ascent up the first ridge, pausing a moment at the top to catch our breath under the Madrone\'s graceful boughs, and taking in the long views over the valley below with the Umpqua river. We caught a glimpse of snow on the foothills eastward. Winds were calm even as grey clouds moved in to cover the sun. After hiking few more rolling hill ascents, we finally started down and turned off at the Middle Ridge trail. This is where the trail became pretty muddy and slick. Streams of water ran down the middle of the trail. Hiking poles helped the dance but it was futile to try to keep the shoes dry. The original route was to go further to the N Ridge but this cutoff proved beneficial for our time schedule. Once down off the ridge and onto the flats, and after a few leaps over creeks, a light rain began to fall. It rained even harder on the drive home which made me appreciate even more our good weather on this good hike with good company. <br />

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