OPLI 2008 Field School and Adventures
Please download and read our 2008 policies
A note about OPLI and SUSTAINABILITY
The Oregon PaleoLands Institute strives to support and promote sustainability in every part of our work. We serve food that is, as much as possible, local and organic. We promote and support local farms and organic production in rural Oregon. We are developing "Carbon Neutral" options for all our trips. And our planned Field Center will serve as a model for sustainable building and renovation in a small rural community.
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Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
March
3-23: Family Day Trip: Clarno NPS Backcountry
Meets 10 AM OPLI Bookshop & Gallery, 680 Main Street, Fossil. A 4-hour, moderately-paced 6-mile hike in the seldom-seen back-country of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Clarno Unit. You’ll discover colorful rock formations, fossils and native plants. Early spring flowers will be blooming, so bring cameras. Cost: $20 contribution covers transportation, guidebook, and carbon-neutral program contribution.
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3-24: Cycling Trip: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: The historic back-country
Hybrid and Mountain Bikes. The Dalles Military Road, Thomas Condon Center loop via Picture Gorge and Antone. Explore the routes of early paleontologists , prospectors, and US Cavalry 10 AM-4 PM. Fully supported one-day bike ride. Break out of the winter doldrums with this spring bike ride. Learn about regional geology and Oregon’s history along the way. 35 miles, out and back, with an extended ride as an option. Half of the ride on good gravel road, half pavement. Suitable for families, age 12 and above. Meet, 10 AM, at the Thomas Condon Center, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Return, 2 PM. Lunch and sag wagon provided. $45 covers costs of food, snacks, Sag Wagon, Field Trip guidebook and carbon neutral contribution.
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3-25: Back-Country Tour, and Hike: John Day Fossil Beds Backcountry
Fossil Beds Landscape. Meets, John Day Fossil Beds Thomas Condon Center, 10 AM. Explore Goose Rock and Blue Basin areas in the morning. Then continue to Foree area, with short guided hike into Foree back-country. Concludes, 3 PM. Bring your own lunch. $10 covers carbon-neutral fund, transportation, guidebook.
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3-26: Family Easy-does it Hike: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Sheep Rock Unit and Painted Hills. Begins at the Condon Center 9 AM, returns 4 PM. Hikes Blue Basin and Goose Rock backcountry—early wildflowers and ancient terranes 9 AM to Noon. Travels from Condon Center to Mitchell, noon-1 PM, explores Painted Hills, 1-3 PM. Limit: 10, each hike. $20 each, covers transportation, guidebook, carbon neutral contribution. Bring your own lunches. Good family hike.
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3-27: Family Easy-Does It Hike: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Clarno Unit
Meets, Paleo Lands Adventure Center & Gallery, Main Street, Fossil., 10 AM. Bring sack lunch. Explore the Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds. Return, 2 PM. $20, covers transportation, guidebook, and carbon neutral contribution.
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3-28: Early Spring Photo Field Class
On Saturday, grab the digital camera and head into the field to capture early flowers, birds, and landscapes with photographer Ellen Morris Bishop. Then, on Sunday, fine-tune your images on our computers, and learn some extra digital magic. Bring your own lunch. Meets 9 Am Saturday, family Service Center; and 9 AM-noon Sunday. $20 covers transportation, carbon-neutral Limit,8.
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5-10: Cycle the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and historic back-country roads
Hybrid Bikes recommended for this combo paved and gravel road trip. Fully supported ride. May 10: The Dalles Military Road, loop: Begin Thomas Condon Center.. Ride through Picture Gorge, and take the well-maintained gravel road along the historic Dalles Military Road to Antone. Then hit the highway, and coast most of the way back to the Thomas Center. Mostly gradual grades, with total climb of 1500 feet. Explore this route of early paleontologists , prospectors, and US Cavalry. Learn about regional geology and Oregon’s history along the way. 40 miles, out and back. Meet, 9 AM, at the Thomas Condon Center, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Return, 3 PM. Lunch and sag wagon provided. $45 covers costs of food, snacks, Sag Wagon, Field Trip guidebook and carbon neutral contribution.
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April
4-1: Red Cross First Aid for Adults and Children
Red Cross First aide for adults and children: Offered in Fossil at the Family Service Building, Fossil. 9 AM to 4 PM. Taught/certified by Red Cross, Bend. $50.
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4-6: Family Easy-does it Hike: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Clarno Unit
Meets, Paleo Lands Adventure Center & Gallery, Main Street, Fossil., 10 AM. Bring sack lunch. Explore the Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds. Return, 2 PM. $20, covers transportation and carbon neutral contribution. Limit: 10
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4-12: Tropical Oregon: When bananas grew in the Ancient Cascades!
This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend.
- Trip 10A-08: April 12: Talk, Friday evening, April 12, 7-8 PM, Bend’s High Desert Museum. Oregon’s Ancient Tropics. Ellen Morris Bishop, OPLI. No charge.
- Trip 10-08: Day Trip, Saturday, April 13: Oregon’s Ancient Tropics: The John Day and Clarno Formations: Oregon’s most ancient volcanic and fossil roots. Leave Bend’s High Desert Museum at 8:30AM . Trip leader: Ellen Morris Bishop. Travels to Madras, then Ashwood to view John Day Formation vents and domes, fossils, and extraordinary volcanic formations. Continues to Cherry Creek, for Clarno vents and John Day River. Sack lunch. Travels (road conditions permitting) to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Clarno Unit via back roads; Photographic opportunities galore, including early wildflowers. Returns to High Desert Museum at 6 PM. Limited to 8 participants.
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4-19: The Crooked River Caldera: Oregon’s Biggest volcano, and it’s story of climate change
This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend.
- 07A-08: Talk, Friday, April 18: 7-8 PM High Desert Museum, Bend. Jason McClarty, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Free. Water resources and the greatest volcano of Central Oregon.
- 07-08: Day Trip: Saturday, April 19: Crooked River Volcano—Oregon’s biggest volcanic vent! Leave Bend’s High Desert Museum at 9 AM. Meet Jason McClarty in Redmond, 10 AM. Trip includes geology of Smith Rocks, Powell Buttes, Gray Butte, Haystack Rock. 1.5 mile walk to examine caldera deposits. Return to Bend by 5 PM. Includes transportation, lunch, snacks, guidebook. carbon neutral contribution. $75
- 08-08: Day Trip: Sunday, April 20: Crooked River Caldera: The rim and the products—The Painted Hills. Leave Bend’s High Desert Museum at 8:30 AM. Trip travels to Steins Pillar and adjacent rhyolites at outside of caldera rim; Lunch, Mitchell, Little Pine Café. Travel to Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Bed National Monument: products of Crooked River Caldera. ash-laden soils, ignimbrites/ash-flow tuffs. Return to High Desert museum, 5 PM. leader: Ellen Morris Bishop, OPLI. Includes lunch, snacks, transportation, guidebook. carbon neutral contribution. $75
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4-19: Community Fossil Beds Cleanup, and photo hike Volun-tourists invited!
The Fossil Beds at Wheeler High School will open this weekend, weather permitting, but we need some volunteers to help make sure things are ready. Help spruce up trails, control unwanted weeds and debris, plant new vegetation, and clear a site and erect the new interpretive sign. Enjoy a free Community and School potluck as a thank you after the cleanup. You get first picks of fossils as a thank you, free food, and commuity gratitude. Sunday April 20th join us for a free wildflower/wildlife hike in the Painted Hills.
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4-19: River and Rocks Two-day adventure
FLOAT the JOHN DAY!, then explore the extraordinary landscape of the Painted Hills. Family Float Trip: John Day River in Early Spring. Based from Service Creek Lodge, Service Creek. A one-day float, Service Creek to Twickenham. Geology, wildflowers, birds. Nesting osprey, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife along this remote and pristine stretch of the John Day River. Then, the next day, explore the Painted Hills back-country with expert guides. Meets, Service Creek Lodge. PACKAGE includes 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, float trip, transportation, guidebook, and $5 carbon neutral contribution: $245. Limit, 14.
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4-25: Spring Breakout Cycling Trips: Packaged trip, Painted Hills B&B, Skyhook Motel, and Oregon Hotel
Packaged trip, Painted Hills B&B, Skyhook Motel, and Oregon Hotel, Mitchell. April 25--Arrive. Dinner on your own, Mitchell. Evening orientation talk, regional natural history, at Painted Hills B&B. April 26: All organic/local Breakfast, cooked and served at B&B by OPLI staff. Ride: Mitchell to Painted Hills and back (30 miles, mostly flat) Light lunch/snacks at Painted Hills, with walks based from picnic area. April 27: All organic/local Breakfast, cooked and served at B&B, by OPLI staff. Ride: Mitchell to Thomas Condon Center. Begins at 9 AM. As an option, we will give you and your bike a lift to the top of the hill, and then you have a smooth all-downhill bike ride for 24 miles through an extraordinary landscape to the Thomas Condon Center. Explore the center on your own, and Lunch served by OPLI staff. Pickup at 2 PM. Van carries riders and bikes back to Mitchell. Dinner, on your own, Mitchell. Camping option available. Painted Hills B&B - $265 (sold out); Oregon Hotel - $235; Skyhook Motel - $235. Call for family rates and camping option.
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May
5-3: Flowers and Floats: Two-day packaged adventure with Service Creek Lodge
FLOAT the JOHN DAY!, then explore the extraordinary spring wildflowers and landscapes of the Painted Hills. Family Float Trip: John Day River ‘s wildest and most scenic stretch. Based from Service Creek Lodge, Service Creek. A one-day float, Service Creek to Twickenham. Geology, wildflowers, birds and wildlife along this remote and pristine stretch of the John Day River. Evening lecture and barbeque.. Then, the next day, explore the back-country with wildflower experts. Meets, Service Creek Lodge. PACKAGE includes 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, float trip, transportation, guidebook, and $5 carbon neutral contribution: $245. Limit, 14.
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5-11: Explore the JDFB Backroads
Same as John Day Fossil Beds Cycle Trip on May 10, but travel in comfort in a car. Car trip includes Mitchell, Painted Hills, one stop for fossil hunting. Stops in Mitchell for Lunch on your own, returns to TCPC at 4 PM. $35, includes snacks, transportation, guidebook.
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5-17: Secrets of the Painted Hills: A Photo Workshop
Join photographers/geologists Ellen Morris Bishop and Terry Toedtemeier on a ramble through Wheeler County’s most legendary landscapes. Find unique, seldom photographed scenery, wildflowers, and rock formations at exactly the right time of day. Practice and experience landscapes at different scales and perspectives. Learn the geology of the area, as well as sharpening your photographic skills. Evening photoshop workshop to fine-tune your digital results. Then back to the field early on Sunday, concluding with a show of digital work over lunch, noon to 2:30 PM. Packaged with Oregon Hotel, or Skyhook Mitchell ($145) , and Painted Hills B&B, Mitchell. ($195) Includes two nights accommodations, Saturday and Sunday breakfasts (local, organic), lunches, snacks, and transportation, plus $5 carbon neutral contribution. Camping and family options available.
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5-23: Ancient Forests, Lost Landscapes
This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend. May 23: Evening talk/panel: Oregon’s living Ice-Age Forests, and their messages about climate change. (Stu Garrett, Native Plant Society, invited; Rick Miller, Oregon State University, Invited.) 1) May 24: depart HD, 8:00 AM. Travel, Horse Ridge/Badlands area, Rick Miller: Ancient Junipers, and previous forests; Continue to Milican, turn south to Christmas Valley. Badlands, geology, Brothers fault zone, recent eruptions, lake basins. Lunch at Christmas valley. Lost Forest, Crack in the Ground, 1:30-4 PM. Continue to Wagontire, US 395. Stay, Burns, OR Best Western. Dinner on your own. 2) May 25. Depart Burns, 8:30 AM. Travel US 395 to Seneca; volcanic and logging history enroute. USFS road 63 to Izee, and South Fork Road to Cedar Grove botanical Are. 1.5 mile hike. Sack lunch. Continue to Aldrich Mtn. overlook. Walk through 2006 Aldrich Burn, with discussion of fire ecology, fire-based ecosystems, role of climate in forest health, person TBA, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Jeffery Odem, USFS, Malheur National Forest. Pie and coffee in Dayville, 4 PM. Return to HDM, 6 PM.
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June
6-3: ELDERHOSEL: Return of the Bighorns: Habitat Mapping and Herd Survey Project
SOLD OUT!
This project will map Bighorn habitat for a newly established herd and survey the largest herd in the area in the John Day Basin, under supervision of the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Bighorns in the West declined from 2 million in the late 19th century to 50,000 today, mostly as a result of unregulated hunting and diseases carried by domestic sheep. Bighorns were extinct in Oregon by 1915.
In the past two decades the State of Oregon reintroduced California Bighorns to the lower John Day Canyon lands. A large herd (600-650) is now thriving north of Clarno, and a new herd (15) has recently established itself some 40 miles to the South near Service Creek on the John Day River. The John Day Canyonlands provide some of Oregon’s best native habitat for the return of the Bighorns.
Day 1. Bighorn Habitat mapping near Service Creek. We will map side canyons occupied by the first California Bighorn herd in a century in the mid John Day canyon. For the past four years a new herd of 15 bighorns has lived near Service Creek on private ranches and BLM lands. Spring is a good time to spot this herd, especially ewes and lambs. This project will map habitat features that support this herd, including seasonal springs and prime habitat areas. Within the bighorn range, the project will also survey a one mile long riparian restoration project for riparian conditions and practices.
Day 2 Bighorn Field Survey in the John Day Canyon north of Clarno This will involve spotting and recording the lower John Day Canyon herd, one of the largest in Oregon. This will be conducted using standard wildlife survey techniques and compared to prior surveys and habitat information developed on Day One.
During the day and evenings, participants will identify the unique geology of the John Day canyon. These include massive Columbia River basalt lava flows, 3-4000 ft deep canyon formation, Mt Mazama (Crater Lake) ash deposits, and the area’s world-renowned fossil bed landscapes.
Terrain and Elderhostel Activity Level: This project should be rated at Level 5 of 6 in Elderhostel Activity Rating. It requires hiking over steep and uneven terrain, off trail. On Day One the riparian survey (at canyon bottom) is a less strenuous option than the habitat mapping. Good binoculars are required equipment.
Instructors:
1. Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, District wildlife biologists, Steve Cherry and Shannon Jewitt,
2. Ellen Bishop, Oregon Paleo Lands Institute Executive Director
3. Richard N. Ross, owner, Muleshoe Creek Ranch
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6-6: Rocks and Writing on the John Day River
A 3-day deluxe , fully provisioned raft float with award winning nature writer Kathleen Dean Moore and writer/photographer/geologist Ellen Morris Bishop.
Geology, photography, wildflowers, wildlife, birds on the wildest stretch of the Wild and Scenic John Day River. It doesn’t be any better than this! You can create an exceptional journal along the way. We’ll stop along the river for short hikes to explore the back country, and spend time along the river understanding its geology and the landscapes very ancient history. What messages for today do this sculpted, ancient landscape and the fluid song of the river have for our lives today? Bring your cameras, too, and work with Ellen on capturing the extraordinary landscapes.
This trip is expertly outfitted by Ouzel Outfitters of Bend, with delicious organic and sustainable meals provided so you can concentrate on the river, the rocks, and capturing your surroundings.
Leaves Twickenham, 8 AM ends, Clarno, 6 PM Sunday. Bring your tent and sleeping bag, camera, and writing tools.
Mitchell on the 5th, over-night at Little Pine Hotel, drop off at Twickenham, 8 AM, pick up at Clarno, return to HDM. $345
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6-14: Butterflies!
Help in Wheeler County’s first annual spring butterfly inventory, with Susan Anderson. You’ll visit riverside, prairie, and upland locations to observe and count butterflies in this juniper-sage-grassland, and pine forests. Learn butterfly life-cycles, and benefits for this reknowned naturalist. $45 includes lunch, transportation, carbon neutral contribution.
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6-15: Dragonflies!
Explore with Cary Kerst ponds and riversides of Wheeler County for known and new dragonflies; learn about the life-cycles and benefits of these animals that have persisted, nearly unchanged, for some 350 million years! Includes lunch, transportation, and carbon neutral contribution. Limit: 8; $45
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6-21: Wolves, Wildlife, and Wild Rocks, North Fork, John Day River
(Collaboration with HDM likely, in conjunction with their Wolf program and display.) Explore Oregon’s wolf habitat with biologist and Oregon Wolf Plan coordinator Russ Morgan. Then on Day 2, Explore the scenic headwaters of the John Day River’s North Fork in the Greenhorn and Elkhorn Mountains with geologist Ellen Morris Bishop. Camping only, at USFS campground, North Fork. $125 covers transportation, guidebook.
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6-28: The Dalles Military Road, Antelope to John Day
Explore the history of one of Oregon’s lost routes, the Dalles Military Road, with BLM archeologist/paleontologist John Zancanella. Explore the roads followed by famous paleontologists Marsh and Cope, as well as gold prospectors and horse soldiers in the mid to late 1800’s. $20 includes transportation, lunch, carbon neutral contribution.
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6-29: In the Tracks of the Pioneers (Collaborative with Gilliam County, Fossil and Spray Museums)
Discover pioneer homesteads, ghost communities, and family ranches. Learn the history of livestock and timber. Includes Lone Rock, Kinzua, Richmond, Waterman, and other pioneer communities. One-day trip. Repeated in September. $20 includes transportation, lunch, carbon-neutral contribution.
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July
7-5: Oregon Field Geology: How Oregon Was Born—From the Blues to the Wallowas
A 2-credit graduate teachers geology workshop, with Lewis and Clark College. Ellen Morris Bishop, Instructor. Register through Lewis and Clark! Call for information or to register. $1579. Includes rustic accommodations for three nights, and scenic camping locations for three nights, transportation. $1154 for Lewis and Clark graduate credit. Learn the geologic history of Oregon’s most ancient terranes, and develop effective ways to incorporate Oregon’s geologic and natural heritage into your classroom. Limit, 9. Please call 541-763-4480 or email for registration packet. Begins and ends at Central Oregon Environmental Center, Bend.
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7-11: The High Desert, and Steens Mountain: Climate and Landscapes in the Extreme
(And optimum wildflowers, Steens Mtn.Leader: Ellen Morris Bishop, : This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend.
Day 1: July11 (Friday): Leave High Desert Museum at 8 AM. Travel to Burns, with stop at Glass Buttes, talk about High Desert volcanism and Brothers fault Zone. Early lunch, Burns, and then to Wrights Point, and Diamond Craters. Geology of Diamond Craters. Malheur Refuge Overlook. Talk: Shifting climates, shifting migrations. Malheur Refuge Staff. Arrive, Frenchglen Hotel, 6 PM. Dinner.
Day 2:July 12 : Breakfast, 7 AM. Steens Mtn loop Road. 2-mile hike: Circum-navigate Kiger Gorge rim; Glacial features; Basaltic features. Sack Lunch. 6 mile, challenging hike: Wildhorse Horse Lake. Return, via loop road Frenchglen Hotel, 6 PM.
Day 3: July 13 . Breakfast, 7 AM. Loop Steens Mountain, to Andrews, Alvord desert. Alvord Hot Springs. Pleistocene lake levels, basalts, dikes, Basin and Range faulting. Alvord Desert late spring/early summer flowers. Sack snacks. Return to Burns, Bend via Hwy 78. Arrive Bend, 7 PM.
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7-15: The Salmon River Suture
Float the rugged canyon of the wild and scenic Salmon River , where Oregon is sutured to North America with OPLI and Winding Waters outfitters. Geologists Tracy Vallier and Ellen Bishop will guide you to the canyon’s secrets. This trip will show you Oregon’s most ancient underpinnings, and bring its geologic stories into focus. Explore Native American history, discover wild rocks and even wilder places on this true wilderness float. Organic and natural meals, tents, and geologic amenities provided. Bring cameras, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure for the trip of a lifetime! Begins and ends in Clarkston, Washington. Transportation to/from Clarkston from Fossil via OPLI vehicle can be arranged for a minimal cost. $1420.
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7-31: Disappearing Glaciers of the Cascades and the Cascades Diminished Water Supply
This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend.
Leaders, Anne Nolin, Ellen Morris Bishop. Llama trek. A three-day hike, beginning at McKenzie Pass, and following the Pacific Crest Trail to Sparks Lake. Witness the glacial and eruptive history of the Three Sisters area, rapidly-disappearing Collier Glacier, Explore the “Bulge” area near South Sister, and catch extraordinary views as llamas carry your gear thru the Three Sisters Wilderness. Leaders: Ellen Morris Bishop, Anne Nolin. Limit, 9. Bring your tent, sleeping bag, and lunch. Dinner and light breakfasts provided by Halligan Ranch Llamas! Hike un-encumbered except for camera and a light daypack as you traverse one of the most scenic and geologically stunning part of Oregon’s Cascades.
1) July 31: Evening: Talk, The Cascades disappearing glaciers and snowpack. Anne Nolin. and Ellen Morris Bishop. At High Desert Museum.
2) August 1: Depart High Desert Museum, 7:30 AM. Arrive, trailhead, (PCT, McKenzie Pass) 8:30 AM. Begin hike. Packers pack llamas. 7 mile, medium-rigor hike to foot of Collier Cone. Upper Mathieu Lake, Yapoah Cone. Camp at Mission Spring. Late afternoon walk to view Collier Glacier.
3) August 2: Optional morning scramble for the supremely fit to Collier Glacier. Hike: Opie Dildock Pass, PCT to Spring Meadow (6 miles.) Camp atop the South Sister “bulge”.
4) August 3: Complete hike, 7 miles, to Cascade Highway trailhead. Today, you’ll lead your llama! Examine most recent eruptions of South Sister, (Devils Chain) and Ice Age eruptions that occurred beneath glaciers. Arrive trailhead, 4 PM. Return to HDM, 6 PM
$545 includes transportation for you and your gear from High Desert Museum to trailhead, and back to the Museum parking lot at the end of the trip, and carbon neutral contribution.
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August
8-6: The Wallowa’s Heritage
The Wallowa’s Heritage. Start your Wallowa Mountain trip a day early and explore the classic moraines of Wallowa Lake, as well as Nez Perce history. Then ride the tram to the top of Mount Howard and explore the unique high country basalts that cap the area for a day. A perfect introduction to regional geology, alpine ecosystems, and Native American history. $50 covers tram ticket, guidebook, donation to Wallowa Land Trust to help preserve the moraines.
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8-7: The High Wallowa Mountains!
Join Oregon’s State Geologist, Vicki McConnell, in her favorite realm—the geology of the High Wallowa Mountains and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. We’ll provide a horseback ride and pack horse into and out of base camp at Wallowa Lake. in the shadow of the Wallowas. You’ll experience the geology of the Wallowas, from the ancient sedimentary rocks to sparkling white granitic peaks, and colorful intrusions of Columbia River basalt dikes. We’ll ride to Aneroid Lake and camp near Hawkins Pass, and spend two days exploring glacial history, geology and geologic history, as well as and mountain wildflowers. Bring cameras, sturdy boots, and your own camping equipment and food. Cost for basic trip: $375, covers guidebook, snacks, carbon neutral contribution, and horse-pack services. Come a day early, and explore the classic moraines and geology around Mount Howard! (Trip 29A, below.) Limit: 10. Must reserve space at least 21 days in advance.
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8-14: Are you up to it Ride: Cycling the Hills
Planning to Cycle Oregon? Test your mettle on two days of fully supported rides with challenging hills and quiet, paved roads. You may ride either a full century, or chose a shorter ride option of 68 challenging miles.
August 15: Ride Mitchell to Service Creek (32 miles, 3200’ elevation gain) and return to Mitchell via Rowe Creek, Twickenham and Girds Canyon (32 miles, 2800’ elevation gain) Most hills are long—both up-hill and down, so your legs and lungs will be tested. En-route you’ll see spectacular scenery, and experience some exhilarating down-hills. If you wish a shorter ride, plan to ride to Service Creek on Day 1, and ride the van back to Mitchell!
August 16: A 40 mile ride from Mitchell to the Painted Hills, and on to Ochoco Summit (A long, constant, 3,000-foot climb.)
Package includes accommodations at Painted Hills Bed and Breakfast or Oregon Hotel August 14-15, breakfast on the 15 and 16, and sack lunches , as well as ride support and transportation, and PaleoLands cycling tee. $295, Painted Hills; $225, Oregon Hotel.
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8-30: Nature Journaling in the John Day Fossil Beds
Join Artists Michelle Ordway and Hyon Fielding for a day of discovering and recording the John Day Basins’ landscapes. Try your hand at watercolors, sketching, or expressing your observations in words. Learn about and paint the Painted Hills, and textured landscapes along the John Day River. Short, easy hikes and will take you to unique, colorful places and ancient times. Meets at Painted Hills B& B in Mitchell. Bring your own art supplies, or use ours. Recommended for nature lovers, photographers, artists, and writers! Includes sack lunches, snacks, transportation, carbon neutral contribution. $75
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September
9-6: In the Tracks of the Pioneers (Collaborative with Gilliam County, Fossil and Spray Museums)
Discover pioneer homesteads, ghost communities, and family ranches. Learn the history of livestock and timber. Includes Lone Rock, Kinzua, Richmond, Waterman, and other pioneer communities. One-day trip. Repeated in September. $20 includes transportation, lunch, carbon-neutral contribution.
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9-13: Family Easy-does it Hike: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Clarno Unit
Meets, Paleo Lands Adventure Center & Gallery, Main Street, Fossil., 10 AM. Bring sack lunch. Explore the Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds. Return, 2 PM. $20, covers transportation and carbon neutral contribution. Limit: 10
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October
10-4: High Desert Lakes in Peril
This trip begins and ends at the High Desert Museum, Bend.
Explore the majestic landscapes of the high desert and Oregon’s Basin and Range--Lake Abert, Warner Lakes and other vanished and vanishing lakes of the High Desert. Will these shrinking last vestiges of the great Pleistocene lakes survive as Oregon warms, and snow-pack shrinks? What will be the consequences for desert wildlife, and birds? Bend to Fort Rock (lake) and Summer Lake, overnight at Hunters Hot Springs Resort, Lakeview. Then return to Bend via Warner Lakes and Abert Lake/Abert Rim, US 395 and US 20 (Burns) Leaders: Ellen Morris Bishop and TBD.
1. October 4: Depart HDM, 8:30 AM. Fort Rock. Summer Lake. Shorelines, Summer Lake, including faulting Basin and Range uplift. Lunch, Paisley. Abert Lake, . Hikes, Abert lakeshore, and Abert Rim. Basin and Range lavas, faults. Arrive, Hunter Hot Springs, 6 PM. Dinner provided.
2. October 5: Breakfast, Hunter Hot Springs. Depart, 8:30 AM. Warner Lakes, ecosystems, changes in lake levels, water, wildlife. Adel earthquake swarms. Plush. Sack Lunch. 4 mile hike, Hike, Oregon Sunstone sites. Rock collecting. Return, Hunter Hot Springs, 5 PM.
3. October 6: Breakfast, Hunter Hot Springs, Depart, 8:30 AM. Return to Bend via Hwy 395. Desert ecosystems, dune fields, recent volcanism, Brothers Fault Zone. Arrive, HDM, 4 PM.
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10-4: John Day Basin Pre-history
Join USFS archeologists to explore the human history of the John Day Basin for the past 10,000 years. Trip meets at Thomas Condon Center, John Day Fossil Beds, 9 AM October 4. $25 covers transportation, guidebook, carbon neutral contribution, and sack lunch.
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10-11: OPLI Voluntourism / Friends of John Day Fossil Beds Weekend
Help us with a volunteer trails project on the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, with a hike and barbeque to boot! Trail building and barbeque on October 11; Guided hikes on October 12th. No Charge.
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10-17: Paleo Lands Rocking and Rolling, Season Finale Ride
Pre-registration required by October 8, 2008. Each days ride begins in Spray. Includes morning snack, lunches, sag-wagon services, guidebook, and two catered dinners.
October 17, Friday: Kahler Basin Loop: 20 miles, with 2,150 feet elevation gain on scenic and quiet back-country roads.
October 18, Saturday: Spray to Thomas Condon Center. 35 miles, one-way, 70 miles RT. mostly flat. Enjoy the John Day Fossil Beds landscape and scenic attractions. We’ll give you a ride back to Spray from the Condon Center if you wish!
October 19, Sunday: Spray to Monument and return. 50 mile RT ride along the North Fork of the John Day River. This ride is shorter than Saturday’s ride, but has a few more hills. You may extend it to a 75 mile, challenging ride through colorful and sometimes bizarre rock formations with a strong 900-foot climb on a , 4 to 6 percent grade climb if you continue from Monument an additional 12.5 miles to Hamilton and return.
$175 for all three days of riding, includes morning coffee and snack at start (Spray Riverside Park), guidebook, ride support and lunch, and dinners Friday and Saturday. Camping available at Spray Riverside Park. Please call and we can help you arrange other lodging.
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November
11-15: Fossil Record and Climate Change today: John Day Fossil Beds. National Monument
The trip begins at 8AM November 15 at the High Desert Museum, Bend., and returns at 5 PM on the 16th. Visit the major units of the John Day Fossil Beds, as you review changes in climate through time, along with Oregon’s geologic past. Tour the lab with scientists, to learn exactly how ancient climates are deciphered, and what it means for the future. Collect some 45-million-years old tropical leaves to take home as a keep-sake, and explore the much older terranes and their fossils of the dinosaur age. Includes two 5-mile hikes across open country. Overnight in Dayville. Trip includes transportation, double-room accommodations at The Last Resort, Dayville, sack lunches, snacks, guidebook. $175
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