Outdoor Photography Workshop

25 June 2013 | Ashland, OR -- Do you strive to take awesome pictures outside?

Then join David Chambers and Qamuuqin Maxwell of West Turn Picture Co. for this 1/2-day workshop July 21, 10am-2pm in Ashland, Oregon.

Start at 10am with some classroom basics in Ashland's Hardwired Building, 340 'A' St. Then Qamuuqin and David will take you in the field for some hands on experience.

Bring your digital camera (don't forget your memory card), plenty of batteries, water, snacks and excitement! The class will go beyond the basics to cover stylistic elements, including composition control, depth of field, and use of color.

True adventure can be found in every moment of your life. This course will help build your outdoor photography skills and foster your concept of adventure.

Free for Siskiyou Summit (and higher level) members

$5 for Red Butte Members

$20 for non-members

Sign up for this class now. 

June 7 - 9 Siskiyou Adventure

Pacific Crest Trail, before

6 June 2013 | Ashland, OR -- The Siskiyou Mountain Club was busy across the Siskiyou range last weekend.

We kicked things off with an overnight trip with the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Two saw teams split up to log out the Soda Mountain Wilderness portion of the Pacific Crest Trail between Soda Mountain Road and Pilot Rock.

After

Then the next morning we hiked to Boccard's point, with some bird lessons along the way.

"I like birding because I can do it all the time," says Ian Nelson, the Pacific Crest Trail Association's regional representative.

He pointed out a lazuli bunting, rock wren, and many other birds on their way through the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

From Boccard's point were panoramic views of the Klamath basin, Mt. Shasta, Pilot Rock and Mount Ashland. To the south we could see the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountain Wilderness' in California. And right below us was the Soda Mountain Wilderness Area, Ashland's best kept secret.

Ian Nelson of the PCTA and Brandon Andre gaze into the Soda Mountain Wilderness from Boccard's Point

The next morning, June 9, the Club took things west and met up with Scott Hoelscher, head gardener for Leach Botanical Gardends in Portland, OR. We met at Taylor's Country Store in Cave Junction and headed up Rough & Ready Creek.

After a couple hours of slow hiking, fast botanizing and a bald eagle siting, a couple of us headed up an old road to near Alberg Mine.

The "yellow brick road."

The flowers were out, and so was the sun. The route up was steep, and steeper. And the summit of this serpentine ridge was just outstanding.

"The PCT is great, especially for families," says SMC executive director Gabe Howe, staring into the headwaters of Josephine Creek. "But my heart is in this forsaken land, where nothing grows well, but where almost everything grows."

Lewisia pygmea

Get to know our volunteers: Stefani Gissel

2011 volunteer Stefani Gissel standing next to her tool of choice

Ashland, OR | 3 June 2013 -- In 2011 Stefani Gissel joined the Club, for an 8-day trip in the Kalmiopsis wilderness area. That June Gissel and her crew worked from a ridge-top camp near Johnson Butte towards Box Canyon, clearing thickets of fallen trees and brush along the way.

Each day the work site got farther and deeper from camp. And each evening the hike back got tougher. Gissel pushed on, earning practicum credit for a bachelor's in Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Southern Oregon University.

In the meantime Gissel earned her degree, and she's graduating this month. Now she's packing her bags for Eleuthera Island in the bajamas, where she's going to be working doing what she loves.

"I'll be taking people out sailing and kayaking, snorkeling and surfing," she says. She's been hired on as an activities coordinator for Island Language College, which operated an English immersion program on the island.

"Getting the job was easy because my OAL degree and I have lots of field experience," she says. "They liked my energy and my resume." 

Even though Gissel landed a job in paradise, she sees herself returning to Southern Oregon. 

"I really want to walk the whole route. That's my goal."

Bon voyage, Stefani. I hope we have the route ready for you! 

June 1-2 Youth Orientation Trip Report

SMC youth scholarship crew stands next to bucked log

3 June 2013 | Kerby, OR -- The Siskiyou Mountain Club's scholarship crew spent National Trails Day rehabilitating a loop around the Kalmiopsis Wilderness' popular Babyfoot Lake, where we camped. They hiked out Sunday morning.

The crew didn't hesitate to cut a large log from the trail, which took a couple of hours. They learned trail maintenance basics, and got used to the Kalmiopsis rugged, hazardous and very unusual environment. The same crew will be spending 15-days in the Kalmiopsis next month.

"It was perhaps the most rewarding trip I've done," says Gabe Howe, Siskiyou Mountain Club executive director and field coordinator. "I really like this age group. They have open minds and lots of energy."


For some of the high school seniors who just graduated, this was their first time backpacking. After their term of service in July, each crew member receives a $1,500 academic scholarship.

"We are so proud of this program," says Howe. "I love to be sharing this area, my knowledge and skills with the next generation. They're going to be a tough crew."