20s and 30s Oregon Hike, Bike, and Paddle Adventure

This trip has been heavily subsidized by the Young Adventurers Fund for younger travelers on a budget. Sign up right here or by calling us at 415-977-5522. No scholarship necessary! For a full list of 20s/30s and 30s/40s trips and other opportunities for young travelers, visit our trips for young participants page.

The Trip

Join an exciting paddling, biking and hiking adventure in the scenic canyons and mountains of the Cascade Range in central Oregon. We’ll hike to crashing waterfalls and bike in pine-scented forests. The adventure is capped by two days of guided rafting through the thrilling waters of the McKenzie River. You’re part of a paddling team helping your professional guide negotiate whitewater, hydraulics, fun rapids, and mild floats in a wondrous natural setting.

Oregon is known for waterfalls, soaring volcanic peaks of the Cascade Mountains, and swift, clear rivers. All three elements are found in this central Oregon outing. At the heart of this adventure is the McKenzie River, one of the treasures of the Pacific Northwest. Fed by snowmelt from the Cascades, the glacial blue and crystal clear McKenzie tumbles along Douglas fir-lined river banks with fun, exciting rapids. We’ll hike to its headwaters at Clear Lake, only a few miles from our remote group campground in the heart of the Willamette National Forest; then continue along the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail through old-growth forests and lava flows only 3,000 years old. Bald eagles, migrating osprey from South America, and native cutthroat trout call the lake home. One day we will combine biking out of the town of Sisters, OR with a scenic hike along a gushing spring-fed river. Other hikes will take us through old-growth forests, fields of wildflowers, and panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains. After each adventure-filled day, we return to our secluded group campsite with a private creek, hiking trail, and ample room for stretching out, playing games, and building friendships. All hiking, biking, and rafting is led by an experienced guide.

You’ll experience the sounds and sights that highlight this part of the central Cascades: snowcapped-mountains, bucolic pastures, rangeland, winding rivers, birdlife, and the smells of juniper, ponderosa, and, sage mingling together. You’ll see up close the unique geology of the region as you explore volcanic landscapes, traversing into iconic Northwest territory of forested slopes with carpets of wildflowers, ferns, and moss. 

Featuring whitewater rafting, spectacular hiking, and exhilarating biking, along with lush forests, awesome waterfalls, and breathtaking views, this outing has it all. Join the fun this summer with other 20 and 30 year olds!

The trip begins and ends in Springfield, Oregon located at the foot of the Cascade Mountains near Eugene, Oregon. 

Day 1: Meet at a hotel in Springfield for introductions and a scenic 90-minute drive to our spacious campsite. Surrounded by thick forest, we’ll set up tents, meet our professional guide/cooks, and have a delicious lunch. Next, we’re off on a 7-mile beautiful lake-side hike featuring stunning and the urge to reach for our cameras quite often to capture the beauty of the forest and crystal-clear waters. 

Day 2: In the morning, just to the west of our campground we will hike through one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the Cascades. This hike will take you through the many elevations of habitat that range from deep old-growth hemlock and fur, to alpine forest, to fields of wildflowers, to a peak that greats its visitors a splendid 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon is a great introduction to our whitewater experience, the North Santiam River. With lots of chances to swim in clear pools, and with thrilling class II-III rapids in between this river has something for everyone -- whether novice or veteran rafter. We’ll provide rafts, and for the adventurous, inflatable kayaks. Combining crisp blue water and a heavily forested valley, this beautiful stream is one of the state's loveliest yet least known river runs in the area. It is not uncommon to see osprey fishing the calm pools, bald eagles perched in riverside nests, river mink scurrying along the banks, and salmon waiting to jump for their next meal. 

Day 3: In the morning, we’ll drive to the east into the high desert for a mountain bike ride through an entirely different kind of landscape. With the smell of pine and sage, local guides will accompany our group on well maintained single track trails, with options for moderate or easy riding. This eastern side of the Cascades is an open-canopied forest of ponderosa pine, western larch, and lodgepole pine. Snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascades, including Mt. Bachelor, Three Sisters, and Mt. Jefferson will provide the backdrop. Our day will conclude with another hike along a local river that will offer us time to immerse ourselves in the beauty of its spring-fed waters and discuss some of the area’s ecological challenges.

Days 4-5: On our last days of the trip, the Mckenzie River takes center stage. We will hike around falls that plunge over 80 feet, and then raft on two sections that provide very different experiences. Our first section will include class II rapids and maximum water play potential. Our second section will be consistent class II-III, which means constant excitement and teamwork to navigate down this iconic Oregon river. At the conclusion of this rafting experience, we’ll load up the gear and take the shuttle back to our meeting place in Springfield. That night we will share some parting memories at a no-host dinner near the hotel. 

Notes: Tips are not included in the trip price. However, you may feel the guides have earned a gratuity for their hard work to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. While we make every attempt to follow this itinerary, all programs are subject to change depending on a variety of factors, including local river conditions and the weather.

Getting There

Our trip begins and ends in Springfield, Oregon, which is 5 miles from Eugene, Oregon. If you drive, the major highway access is Interstate 5 to Eugene. If flying, United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines all fly into the Eugene Airport. Your trip leader will provide detailed instructions on how to reach the meeting place after you register for the trip. He can assist in finding other participants to carpool with. At the end of the trip, plan to stay in Springfield or Eugene one additional night as we will not arrive back at our vehicles until late afternoon and you will not want to miss the no-host farewell dinner.

Please do not make any non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the trip leader to do so. Additional travel information will be provided once approved for the trip. We recommended that you purchase travel and evacuation insurance to protect your investment in the trip. 

Accommodations and Food

All meals from Day 1 breakfast to Day 5 lunch are provided. Our guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of quality fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, with a vegetarian/vegan option at each meal. Lunches usually consist of hand-foods and are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Healthy snacks such as granola bars and trail mix are also available. While on the river, water and beverages are provided. You may bring your own favorite adult beverages for consumption in camp at the end of the day. 

For the evening before Day 1, you'll need to provide your own lodging. The leader will provide several recommended hotels in the town of Springfield just east of Eugene. For Days 1 through Day 4, we’ll be camping at our remote and scenic campground in the Willamette National Forest. The trip ends late in the afternoon of Day 5 and lodging for this night is not included in the trip price. You may wish to spend the night in Eugene or Springfield. 

Trip Difficulty

Physical challenges are inherent in whitewater rafting. The section of the McKenzie we float is rated as Class II+ (moderate). Previous whitewater rafting experience is not required. The professional guides will give instruction on paddling technique and raft etiquette for optimum safety and enjoyment. Some camping experience is recommended, as trip members are expected to set up their own tent, be in good health, and be willing to participate in a few group activities, such as carrying group food and gear. Our hikes will be on established, well-maintained trails, with sometimes rocky, uneven conditions. We’ll be at elevations of 2,000-4,000 feet, with our highest point being a peak of 5,500 feet. The longest hike is 7 miles and is relatively level around a lake. Our peak climb will be 6 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, but will have an option for a shorter climb of 3 miles round trip with only a 600-foot elevation gain. The mountain biking options range in length from 6 to 12 miles of classic singletrack. Previous mountain bike trail riding experience is not required, but is highly recommended. For maximum enjoyment and safety during the outing, we strongly recommend that you engage in a program of regular exercise and hiking and biking prior to the trip.

Equipment and Clothing

Rafts, paddles, personal flotation device (PFD), dry bags for your gear, all food and kitchen equipment are provided. You’re responsible for bringing a small, backpack-type tent with a separate rain fly, sleeping bag, mattress pad & camp chair (rentals are available). Registered participants will receive a detailed packing list for the trip. In addition to your personal camping clothes, you should bring a day pack and a water bottle for the hikes. The guides will provide large rafts which are designed to carry plenty of gear. They’re equipped with areas to sit in the bow and stern and are ideal for carrying up to six adults. For the biking part of the trip, guides provide 27” or 29” mountain bikes, water bottles, and helmets. A detailed gear checklist will be provided after trip acceptance. 

References

• Harris, Stephen, Fire Mountains of the West: The Cascade and Mono Lake Volcanoes. 2005.
• Hill, Richard, Volcanoes of the Cascades: Their Rise and Their Risks. 2004.
• Manwill, Brittany, Day Hiking Bend & Central Oregon: Mount Jefferson/ Sisters/ Cascade Lakes. 2016.
• Romano, Craig, Day Hiking: Central Cascades. 2009.
• Skelton, Steven, Wildlife of the Oregon Central Cascades. 2015.
• Central Cascades, National Geographic Destination Map.

Conservation

The main conservation concerns for Central Oregon are climate change and wildfires. Climate change is not only shrinking the rivers of the Northwest but contributing to more devastating fires in the region. There has been a 2.7-degree increase in average temperatures, creating hotter, drier weather and larger wildfires larger. These outcomes could change the basic character of forests in the Cascade Mountains. In the coming years, the demand for water resources will grow by 1.2 million acre-feet. Whoever controls the limited supply will control new housing, industry, and farming opportunities. Every product produced in Oregon, for instance, is linked to water. Fortunately, we have adequate water flows for rafting in the McKenzie River for now.

Your outings leaders are volunteers and Sierra Club members with a long-term dedication to the Sierra Club, conservation, and enjoyment of the outdoors. We hope to impart to you our love for the area and an understanding of the work of the Sierra Club. We believe that the Sierra Club's Outings program provides an excellent opportunity for members to enjoy the fruits of past conservation victories and to learn about current concerns. We are not experts. While on this trip you will be encouraged to share environmental issues, stories, and practices you’re familiar with back home, so we’ll be learning from each other.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.