Trip Report

Plentiful wildflowers, hikes with gorgeous views, myriad birds and butterflies for the enthusiasts and last, but not least, intriguing caves to visit. All of this in addition to a quiet camping location outside Selma, Oregon, with solar-powered hot showers, flushing toilets, a covered picnic area with its own stove, refrigerator and BBQ grill, and plenty of space for spreading out tents. What more could a group of 20 Obsidians want for a camping outing to a beautiful and less visited area of our state?

The twenty (well, one was a nonmember who completed her 3rd hike and immediately had us sign her membership application) spent 4 nights at the Deer Creek Center of the Siskiyou Field Institute, an educational and learning facility 20 miles southwest of Grants Pass. The trip price included camping fees (a very reasonable $12/night/per tent or RV) and four dinners prepared by the participants. The group ate well, as is customary on Obsidian trips. Those with some energy left gathered around the camp fire but most drifted off to their sleeping bags by 9:30 or so.

Hikes were varied and catered to all abilities. One of the most spectacular ones was a stiff climb up Kerby Peak (about 2600’ gain in 3.5 miles), but the effort was more than worthwhile. Hikers were rewarded with a variety of terrain ranging from forest to rocky outcrops and great views from the top. However, a true highlight of this hike was the variety of wildflowers, including several none of us had seen before. The most stunning of the latter was a vivid deep scarlet plant that grew in the shady forest and we later identified as the Snow Plant. We christened it “the Fireplug plant” due to its shape and color. And to add to the excitement, the hike leader just missed stepping on a large rattlesnake, nearly causing a multiple pile-up of hikers behind her. Other energetic souls drove further south and hiked (or scrambled) 6.5 miles to the Devil’s Punchbowl, which is a spectacular lake in the mountains. Shorter hikes were led along parts of the Illinois River trail (one trailhead a mere 3 miles from camp), Eight Dollar Mountain and Babyfoot Lake. Large areas of Darlingtonia (pitcher plant) were spotted on several of the hikes. [See the Gallery on our website for photos of the Snow plant and Darlingtonia.]

A number of people also visited the Oregon Caves National Monument. Although Cave Junction is only 7 miles from camp, the road from there to the Monument is twisty and takes a fairly long time. However, the Caves are definitely worth a visit and several hikes can be taken right from the Monument parking lot.

Many thanks to all those who led hikes and drove to the trailheads. And of course, thanks to those who prepared our dinners and cleaned up afterwards.

Stay tuned for a repeat visit in 2016.