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Past Activity

North Bank Deer Preserve

  • Start date: 04/13/2019

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/13/2019

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Update on trail conditions from Roseburg BLM office: It is not closed but according to those on horseback, there are some fallen trees. BLM would like to us to send a report after our trip. The North Bank Habitat is near Roseburg, exit 135, Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The up and down loop hike has rolling—some steep & challenging hills— up to and along the ridgeline with oak savannas, meadows, and views of the Umpqua River. One will need to watch for poison oak. Expect a few sections of the trail to be really muddy. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike between 2:30 and 3:00. It will be a steady moderate pace with a late lunch so bring some snacks. The elevation gain is like doing Mt. Pisgah twice. If weather conditions are not optimal, I’ll substitute a hike on Pisgah. The hike is described in Sullivan's Southern Oregon hiking book.

  • Event Leader: Janet Jacobsen

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-206-1251

  • Event Leader Email: jbjacobsen@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

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

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 151

  • Season: 2019

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, essentials. Sun protection ( I hope) Change of shoes and a bag for muddy boots.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1400

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The loop hike around the rolling Boundary Ridge overlooks the North Fork of the Umpqua River. It was the 27th Obsidian North Bank hike since 1999. What was new for this early April hike? The recent snow damaged many trees. We weaved our way around and under fallen trees and branches hoping to avoid poison oak. The trail was much dryer than we expected. Two chocolate lilies and blankets of baby blue eyes were the star attractions on the way up to the ridge. A repeating bird call was identified as a northern pygmy-owl thanks to a phone call to Randy Sinnott who politely listened to our imitations. Marguerite led a short detour on the Thistle Trail to see the spectacular grove of madrone trees. On the downhill section of the loop. we were amazed to see so many showers of shooting stars and hound's-tongue spreading out over the hillside. A lone purple iris here and there was spotted. —it was too early for their display. It didn’t start raining until we left Rice Hill after our ice cream stop. As requested Dave sent way-linked photos of the fallen trees to the Roseburg BLM office.