Day Trips


Easy, Intermediate and Advanced tours are listed below the Novice Tours

Lets ski

Join the ONC leadership team...

This is your chance to pick your favorite trail (and date) and take some ONC friends along to enjoy the snow. Commit one day this season to give back to your club by leading a ski tour.

 

Lead a tour in April or the first weekend in May. Send day tour descriptions (by March 14, 8 p.m.) to: oncdaytours (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

 

For more info about leading a day tour or to get a required waiver form check the Web site: http://onc.org/pdx/triplead.shtml or contact: oncdaytours (at) gmail (dot) com

 

Note: Your ONC membership must be current to lead ONC tours. Thanks for leading a tour!

 

If you are new to our day tours, please read through our policies (below the day tours’ listings).

Thanks. Look forward to skiing with you.

 

Check out photos of our tours: ONC photo site

 

Note: if weather or road conditions are dangerous, please check with the leader to confirm tour is going as planned.

 

December day tours are listed below novice and family-friendly tours

 

Novice Tours:

These ski tours are for the inexperienced skiers. Novice tour leaders will not teach you how to ski, but the leaders will help new skiers as much as possible. Rent your skis the night before—we may not stop at ski rental shops (ask the leader). Be sure to bring the following items in your day pack (line pack with a plastic garbage bag to keep things dry):

 

- Waterproof coat and pants

- Wear clothes of man-made materials (synthetic) or wool. Do not wear any clothes that contain cotton.

- Warm coat (fleece is good) and extra long sleeve shirt or sweater

- Extra wool socks

- Gaiters

- Warm hat and gloves/ with mittens extra hat and gloves/mittens

- Sunscreen and Sunglasses

- One liter of water–at a minimum. A thermos something hot drink is nice.

- Lunch and snacks

 

 

February 27, Sat, Novice Ski

Old Man Pass area, Wind River, WA

What a perfect place to put new skills to use! Wind River offers a flat area to work on technique, gently rolling hills for easy touring and wide trails that are regularly groomed. We’ll review basic ski techniques at the Koshko Sno-Park, ski down to McClellan, cross the road and head back to our cars. Please bring the necessary gear (see list above). Meet at Fisher’s Landing at 9 a.m. to carpool. For more info contact the leader: Sam Digard, 360 834-2401, sam.digard (at) comcast (dot) net.

 

Mar 6–7, Sat–Sun, Novice Ski

Locations TBD, Mt. Hood, OR

Join the people on the Mazama Lodge overnight trip for a Novice ski tour. For more info and to confirm in case the trip is cancelled, contact: Ann Truax 503 429-4024.

 

Check with Louise Brown to see if any more Novice tours in March are scheduled: 360 834-2401

Louiseabrown (at) comcast (dot) net

 

 

Family Friendly Tours:

ONC members Amy Blumenberg and Pamela Kambur are organizing family friendly day tours; your input and participation in initiating these tours are welcome. To get involved please send an e-mail to ablumenberg (at) comcast (dot) net with your name, e-mail and telephone number.

 

Contact Amy to add a last minute family friendly tour.

 

 

 

February Tours:

 

February 27, Sat, Novice Ski

Old Man Pass area, Wind River, WA

See Novice tours listing above.

 

Feb 27, Sat, Intermediate Ski

Weygant Basin, Cooper Spur, Mt. Hood, OR

This intermediate tour will be on the scenic, North side of Mt. Hood in the Cooper Spur area. We’ll ski an 8-9-mile loop. If the weather allows, there is a scenic overlook of the Elliot Glacier from Inspiration Point. Meet at the Gateway Transit Center parking structure, NE 99th Ave. north of NE Pacific St., at 8 a.m. to carpool. For more info contact the leader: John Heaton 503 257-2012.

 

 

March Tours:

 

Mar 3, Wed, Intermediate Ski

Location TBD

Come join our group for a Wednesday activity. We’ll ski where the snow is good! Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, in the west parking lot at 9 a.m. for carpool departure. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info contact the leader by Tuesday (in case of trip cancellation due to conditions): Terry Owen 503 590-5825.

 

Mar 6, Sat, Easy/Intermediate

Trillium Lake and backcountry, Mt. Hood, OR

Come join us for a ski in the Trillium Basin, if there is not enough snow there we’ll find an alternative location. We’ll split into two groups if people wish. The intermediate group will go out the Sherar Burn Road and ski down through some clear cuts on the way back for a tour of around 9 miles with about 1,000 ft. elevation gain. The self-guided easy tour can follow the intermediate group, turning around when they desire or make the loop around Trillium Lake (about five or six miles at an easy pace). Meet at the Gateway Transit Center parking structure, NE 99th Ave. north of NE Pacific St., at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. For more info contact the leader: John Heaton 503 257-2012.

 

Mar 10, Wed, Intermediate Ski

Location TBD

Come join our group for a Wednesday activity. We’ll ski where the snow is good! Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, in the west parking lot at 9 a.m. for carpool departure. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info contact the leader by Tuesday (in case of trip cancellation due to conditions): Stephany Anderson 503 357-2425.

 

Mar 13, Sat, Easy Ski

Pocket Creek/Meadow Tie Trail, Mt. Hood, OR

Starting from the Pocket Creek Trailhead (3,800 ft.) we’ll ski for 2.5 miles up the road to the junction of the upper Pocket Creek Road junction (4,200 ft.) and stop for lunch. Then go back to the trailhead using the Meadow Tie Trail. Minor turning skills can be practiced. Meet at the Gateway Transit Center: NE 99th Ave. north of NE Pacific St. parking structure (southeast corner street level) at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. Sno-park passes required. For more info contact the leader: Marc Leon 503 644-5925 mleon11 (at) juno (dot) com.

 

Mar 14, Sun, Easy/Intermediate Ski

White River East, Mt. Hood, OR

Come ski the easy terrain along the White River. This area is seldom skied, so we’ll enjoy untracked, pristine snow and explore recent changes to the alluvial plain with outstanding views of the White River canyon and Mt. Hood. You can sharpen your skills, learning to side-step and skiing through trees. It is only a three-mile round trip, but can be very aerobic and skiers can loop around to make it longer or practice climbing the moraines or descending off some of the many hummocks along the side of the ravine! Bring lunch. If snow conditions are unsatisfactory, we will go to Teacup or Bennett Pass. Please bring a $7 donation for grooming at Teacup, which is managed by volunteers from the Teacup Chapter of ONC. Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield at 8:30 a.m. in the west parking lot for carpool departure. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info and to confirm attendance contact the leader: Mike Dianich, 503 695-5385.

 

Mar 17, Wed, Intermediate Ski

Location TBD

Come join our group for a Wednesday activity. We’ll ski where the snow is good! Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield at 8:30 a.m. for carpooling. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info contact the leader by Tuesday (in case of trip cancellation due to conditions): Rand Schenck 503 281-6275.

 

Mar 20, Sat, Intermediate/Advanced Ski

Barlow Pass/Ghost Ridge, Mt. Hood, OR

From Websters Dictionary: Ghost Ridge n. most beautiful ridge on the planet!

We’ll ski four-miles round trip on moderate to hilly terrain along the PCT, then going off-trail approximately 0.6 mile (20-30 degree slope) to Ghost Ridge (800 ft. elev. gain) for spectacular views of Mt. Hood. Strong side-stepping skills are required for both ascent and descent of the steep off-trail segment to Ghost Ridge. Please bring skins or plan to use baling twine “chains” furnished by the leader. Bring lunch. Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield at 8:30 a.m. in the west parking lot to carpool. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. Ski venue may change due to snow conditions. For more info and to confirm attendance contact the leader: Mike Dianich, 503 695-5385.

 

Mar 20, Sat, Easy/Intermediate Ski or Hike, Dogs Welcome

Bennett Pass Ski or Salmon River Trail Hike

We’ll ski or hike depending on snow conditions. On the Bennett Pass trail we’ll go as far as the Terrible Traverse and back for a total of five miles (possibly further). If snow conditions are not good, we will hike the Salmon River Trail, just out of Zigzag, six-mile round-trip. I title this “The First Day of Spring Doggie Ski.” Meet at the Menlo Park & Ride at E. Burnside & E. 122nd Ave at 9 a.m. for a carpool departure. For more info contact the leader: Kit Siegel 503 233-3946 ktmpalace (at) spiretech (dot) com.

 

Mar 21, Sun, Intermediate Hike

Eastern Columbia River Gorge, WA

This is a spectacular hike in the Labyrinth-Rowland Wall area, east of Bingen, WA. There are lots of beautiful sights: wild flowers; eagles and other raptors; meadows; and, oak and pine woodlands. This is a six-mile loop with no more than 1,500 ft. elevation gain. Meet at the Gateway Transit Center: NE 99th Ave. north of NE Pacific St. parking structure (southeast corner street level) at 9 a.m. for carpooling. For more info contact the leader: Darvel Lloyd 503 251-2784.

 

Mar 21, Sun, Intermediate Hike, Dogs Welcome

Observation Peak, Trapper Creek Wilderness, WA

Trapper Creek is an exceptionally beautiful area of old growth, creeks and views. Weather permitting we will have views from Mt Jefferson to Mt Rainier. William Sullivan lists this hike as a moderate 5.6-miles with 1,390 ft. of elevation gain. Bring leashes and poop bags. Meet at the Parkrose Transit Center, NE Sandy Blvd & 96th, at 9 a.m. For more info contact the leader: Larry Miller 503 282-6706 ldmiller@aracnet.com.

 

Mar 24, Wed, Intermediate Ski

Location TBD

Come join our group for a Wednesday activity. We’ll ski where the snow is good! Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield at 8:30 a.m. for carpooling. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info contact the leader by Tuesday (in case of trip cancellation due to conditions): Rand Schench 503 281-6275.

 

Mar 28, Sun, Intermediate Hike, Dogs Welcome

Saddle Mountain, Coast Range, OR

Let’s take our dogs for a hike. We’ll head to Saddle Mountain for a nice hike up to view the Columbia River and the ocean, weather permitting. This hike has 1900 ft. of elevation gain with a total distance of 7 miles. Bring a leash and poop bags to clean up after your dog. Meet at the Tanasbourne Target parking lot at the 185th Avenue exit off US-26 at 9 a.m. For more info contact the leader: Larry Miller 503 282-6706 ldmiller (at) aracnet (dot) com.

 

Mar 31, Wed, Wed, Intermediate Ski

Location TBD

Come join our group for a Wednesday activity. We’ll ski where the snow is good! Meet at McMenamin’s Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, in the west parking lot at 9 a.m. for carpool departure. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a half a mile; it’s on the right. For more info contact the leader by Tuesday (in case of trip cancellation due to conditions): Terry Owen 503 590-5825.

 

 

Day Tour Policies

Tours depart promptly; arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time to allow for necessary arrangements. Arrive fully prepared for the day’s activities!

 

Non-member donations:

Hikes and bikes (no donation for paddling tours): $3

Family tours–$1 per person

In-town hikes–$1

Kids 17 and younger (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)–Free

 

Trips are not canceled unless the weather and road conditions are unsafe; contact the leader when conditions are dangerous. Tour leaders may change tour itinerary, due to weather conditions.

 

Bring the Tour Essentials (see list below), food, water, map, clothing, and equipment appropriate for the tour.

 

Tour leaders can forbid you from joining a tour, if you are not prepared.

 

Read and heed the Oregon Nordic Club’s Tour Ratings listed below.

 

Day tour participants are encouraged to car pool and share costs. The maximum suggested total contribution by each passenger is 15 cents per mile. For three or more passengers, the maximum total contribution by all passengers is limited to 45 cents per mile.

 

Dogs are only allowed on “Dog Tours.” These tours are designated with: õor noted as dog tours

 

Common Meeting Places

Gateway Transit Center–NE 99th Ave. & NE Pacific St. New parking garage

Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center–NE Sandy Blvd. & NE 97th Ave.

McMenamins Edgefield in the West parking lot–2126 SW Halsey. Take I-84 to Exit 16 (Wood Village) turn right, go to Halsey (first stop light) turn left, go a 1/2 mile, it’s on the right.

 

 

Tour Ratings

These designations are a guide to the skill and commitment level required for each tour. A full trip rating always includes a terrain rating plus a mileage rating, to help you better select the right tour for your ability and inclination. Please consider your physical conditioning and your equipment when deciding to go on a tour. Match the tour level to your ability for your physical safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of other participants on the tour. If you are in any doubt about the rating of a tour, please call the tour leader before the day of the tour.

 

Novice Ski Tour

These tours are for the inexperienced skiers. While this is not a lesson, the leader will help new skiers as much as possible. Tour length is 3–5 miles over nearly flat terrain.

 

Easy Tour

Ski: 4–6 miles over gentle terrain at a pace comfortable for all participants.

Hike: < 8 miles; 200 ft. per mile elevation gain.

Canoe/Kayak: Still water or river < 2 m.p.h. current.

 

Intermediate Tour

Ski: 6–12 miles. Terrain flat to long hills that are no steeper than found on a road (maximum 10 degrees). Moderate pace. Trail turning skills required, if there are hills. Consult tour description for specifics.

Hike: 8–10 miles; 200 to 400 ft. per mile elevation gain.

Canoe/Kayak: Rivers with 2–4 m.p.h. current. Some maneuvering skills required.

 

Advanced Tour

Ski: > 12 miles. Terrain flat to steep hills (> 10 degrees). Moderate to fast pace. Strong turning skills required on the tours with steeper slopes.

Hike: > 10 miles; 400 ft. per mile elevation gain. Steady pace and/or difficult terrain (a workout).

Canoe/Kayak: Rivers with > 4 m.p.h. current, with rapids or turns that require significant maneuvering skills.

 

 

Tour Essentials

Pack these essentials on all ONC activities, “just in case.” Remember that cotton offers no insulation when wet, do not wear clothes that contain cotton. Choose wool or synthetics like polypro or Capilene® for warmth and comfort.

 

Skiing & Hiking Essentials

¾ First aid kit

¾ Matches (in water-proof case) and fire starter

 

¾ Rain gear and extra clothes, including a warm sweater

 

¾ Extra food and water

 

¾ Plastic whistle

 

¾ Map and compass (know how to use)

 

¾ Flashlight, extra batteries and bulb

 

¾ Space blanket or bivy bag

 

¾ Pocketknife

 

¾ Toilet paper and trowel (ziplock bag to carry out toilet paper)

 

¾ Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen

 

¾ Foam sit pad