Eugene’s white-gray sky, which dominates January to March, has returned. Although Oregon’s weather is a popular conversation and complaint topic, this state is a jungle gym. We have mountains, rivers, lakes, a coastline and hundreds of tree-surrounded trails, which is surely why Lewis and Clark had such a good time paving their way through the wilderness and why the creators of the Oregon Trail game hit it rich in the ‘90s. Now you too can take advantage of Eugene’s central location in the heart of Oregon’s natural playground.
Hiking:
Silver Falls State Park: Knock out a chapter in an Oregon guidebook in a single day with this awesome trip, which is only an hour outside of Eugene. The park offers a 2.8, 5.2 or 7.1-mile trail loop, depending on how well you stretch. Each of these loops brings you past waterfalls and some of them even bring you behind them. Note that dogs are not allowed on these trails.
Opal Creek: Drive 2 1/2 hours to this wilderness and scenic recreation area east of Monmouth to hike any of its 13 trails. The Opal Creek trail is one of the most popular, which is 2.6 miles. In the mood for something longer? Try the 4.7-mile Elkhorn Ridge Trail or the 7.1-mile loop that extends upriver to the beautiful Opal Pool and the historic Jawbone Flats, a mining camp from the Depression era. You’ll cross a 60-foot-high bridge over the Little North Santiam River and a 30-foot waterfall pouring into a deep pool.
Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding:
“We’re going up to the mountain” is one of the more commonly uttered phrases during Eugene’s winter months. Although it sounds casual, the idea of driving up a snowy mountain with a lot of equipment is a little bit daunting. UO’s Outdoor Program can help: It offers snow buses to Mount Hood Meadows and Mount Bachelor.
Mount Hood Meadows: The postcard image of Mount Hood is synonymous with Oregon, so whether you’re an Oregon native or new to the state, this gorgeous mountain is worth experiencing. Mount Hood Meadows Ski and Snowboard Resort has 11 lifts and 85 runs to enjoy until May, depending on snow conditions.
Cost and transportation: The Outdoor Program is partnering with Berg’s Ski & Snowboard Shop to offer a bus ride and lift ticket for only $59 or a bus ride and lesson for the same price. If you just need a ride, it’s $27. If you go yourself, lift tickets are $74 for the day. Lessons are available for $75 for two hours. Dates: Trips with the Outdoor Program are on Jan. 18 and Feb. 22.
Mount Bachelor: Enjoy Mount Bachelor’s 3,700 acres – all of which are accessible with their 10 lift options. It’s about a three-hour drive from Eugene to Bend.
Cost and transportation:Lift ticket and bus ride, $79; Just bus ride, $29. Normal lift tickets are $79 for a full day, $67 for a half day. Bus departs at 6 a.m., register at www.mtbachelor.com/duckbus. Lessons are available, which cost $75 for two hours of instruction.
Dates: Outdoor Program is offering trips on Jan. 26 and Feb. 9 and 23. “I liked how cheap and convenient the bus was,” said Jason Blank, a UO student who enjoys outdoor activities and used the Outdoor Program’s Mount Bachelor bus last winter. “It was also nice meeting people who are at my same skill level and share my love of skiing.”
If you want to leave from Portland, try taking the Deschutes Brew Bus. For $99, you get a bus ride, lift tickets, a $5 food voucher for the Mt. Bachelor lodge, plus dinner and beers at Deschutes Brewery’s Bend Pub. The ride leaves from Deschutes Brewery’s Portland Pub at 6 a.m. and returns at 10 p.m.
Jack Haskel, the trail information specialist for the Pacific Crest Trail and a lifelong outdoorsman, encourages people to be aware of their surroundings. “Everyone should know about avalanche terrains and should stay off slopes if people don’t know about it. A lot of people expose themselves to danger,” he said.
Hot springs:
These hippie-attracting natural pools are only an hour outside of Eugene:
Cougar Hot Springs: This spot is located 50 miles east of Eugene and is also called Terwilliger Hot Springs. On the drive up, enjoy some awesome views, park at the top, then hike half a mile to a series of hot springs. The higher the pools are, the warmer they are, ranging from 90-112 degrees. Don’t be afraid to be naked, most people are and no photography is allowed.
Umpqua Hot Springs: Hike 3.8 miles to a natural hot spring covered by a log structure. The hike is moderate and crosses the North Umpqua River three times. Again, clothing is optional. These hot springs are about a two-and-a-half hour drive. But paired with a hike they make a great day trip.
Fishing:
Dorena Lake: Spend an afternoon sitting on a dock with a couple of beers, some camping chairs and warm jackets. Just 30 minutes from Eugene near Cottage Grove lies the small city of Dorena. The town is famous for its covered bridges and the beautiful lake is known for its bountiful trout and catfish. There’s also great hiking and biking tails, including a 16-mile trail lining the Row River and Dorena Lake that will take you past historic saw mills and covered bridges.
Snowshoeing
Salt Creek Falls: Ever tried snowshoeing? Check out this five-mile trail with some challenging elevation gain near the Willamette Pass Ski Resort. It’s just east of Oakridge about an hour-and-10 minutes outside of Eugene. The Outdoor Program rents out snowshoes and poles for only $10. If you need snow pants and jackets, you can rent those for $5 each.
“Go to a popular snowshoe destination — snowshoe trails that are well-traveled and bring a thermos of hot soup or tea,” Haskel said. “Extra clothes are a good idea and checking the weather forecast is extremely important. Heavy snowfall can make snowshoe travel impossible.”
Salt Creek Falls also has a tubing hill for sledding. The Outdoor Program rents out inner tubes for $12.
Cross-country skiing:
Maxwell Sno-Park Does downhill skiing freak you out? Outdoor Program employee Laughton Eliot DeAngelis is putting on a trip to Maxwell Sno-Park for an overnight service project. Maxwell Snopark is in the Willamette National Forest, a 110-mile stretch of green from east of Salem to northeast of Roseburg.
Cost and transportation: $15; gear can be rented from the Outdoor Program barn for $10.
Date: The trip is Jan. 25 with a mandatory pre-trip meeting Jan. 22.
UO’s Outdoor Program rents out everything from jackets and sleeping bags to snowshoes and snowboards for affordable prices. Caroline Hager, an employee at the Outdoor Program, encourages people to attend a Trip Initiator Clinic, which trains people to put on their own trips with the help of the Outdoor Program. The free clinic is Jan. 29 and Feb. 20. You can also visit the Outdoor Program Barn on 18th Avenue and University Street for Oregon guidebooks, maps and recommendations. These trips can be fun alternatives to sleeping in and Netflix binging. Remember to keep safety in mind, remembering that it gets dark early and to always leave an itinerary with somebody.