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Backpacking

Each year the Chemeketans offer a selection of backpacking trips to a wide variety of truly amazing destinations. Many of these destinations are in Oregon, but we also venture to other places all over the western United States.

If you are an experienced backpacker, please join us by contacting the leader of a backpack that interests you (see Schedule below). These trips vary in length and difficulty. The leader will help you determine if the trip suits your skill and conditioning level. While we make every effort to provide accurate information about each trip, weather and other factors may force changes to dates and trip routes. Most backpacks will have a limit of 6-12 participants.

Whether a novice or an old hand, please join us for the Annual Backpackers Potluck in January or February.

The backpacks for the coming season are announced at the potluck. Then in the March issue of the Bulletin, detailed descriptions of the backpacks are published. These descriptions appear again in the Bulletin two months prior to the scheduled trip.

You are not required to be a member of the Chemeketans to participate in backpacks, but we encourage you to become one. If more people sign up for a backpack than the allowable limit, leaders may give preference to members. For more information about membership visit our Benefits page or contact the Membership Secretary.

Questions? Concerns? Contact the backpacking committee chair below.

UPCOMING BACKPACKING TRIPS

CONTACTS & RESOURCES

BACKPACKING CHAIR:
David Anderson
P: 541-760-1520
E-Mail: toodamp@gmail.com

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BACKPACKING RESOURCES:

Backpacking Conditioning Assessment

For those considering backpacking, the Henline trail provides a good self-test for your lungs and gear. Load your pack up with about 25 lbs, slip on those boots, and see what you can do. The route to the old lookout site is a 2,160 foot climb over 3.8 miles of good trail. There are several viewpoints and rock outcrops from which you can see Mt. Jefferson as well as the surrounding Old Cascades, including square-topped Battle Ax. You can also look to the west to see the tallest mountain in Oregon's Coast Range, Marys Peak.

Directions: Drive State Highway 22 (North Santiam Highway) 23 miles to the town of Mehama. At the second flashing yellow light take a left onto Little North Fork Road. Go 14.8 miles on the paved road to where it changes to gravel. Continue on this potholed road for 1.3 miles to a fork. Go left onto Road 2209 past the sign that says "Road Closed 6 Miles Ahead". Exactly one mile after this fork, watch for the trailhead on the left side of the road (Henline Mountain Trail #3352). Park on the right shoulder.

Rating (times to the lookout site):

1 hr, 30 min +/- 10 minutes ... Superior condition
2 hours +/- 10 minutes ... Medium condition
2 hr, 30 min +/- 10 minutes ... Kinda slow
Over 2 hr, 45 minutes ... Consider only easy backpacks

Annual Backpackers' Potluck

The annual Backpackers' Potluck is a gathering for backpackers, past, present and potential, to meet and socialize. Backpackers are invited to bring photographs and a few select slides from their backpacking adventures to share. The season's backpacks will be introduced. Watch the Bulletin for further information.