A Walking Fern?

Walking along the Rogue River trail affords trekkers a glimpse into the beautiful world of ferns. Our guides have even called one section of the trail the "fairy forest" because it is so laden with the ferns' soft green spikey foliage.
We estimate that there are at least 4 - 5 different types of ferns that thrive in the Rogue River canyon alone. It's interesting to think about the various eco-systems that thrive inside this diverse river canyon. From arid, desert-like conditions to the wet, damp environments that support these incredible "fern gardens" the Rogue River never ceases to amaze.

For more information on these incredible Oregon Rogue River hikes and rafting trips, check in with the friendly folks at ROW Adventures or call them at: 1-800-451-6034

Oregon State University Press

We've talked about this Oregon literary gem before but if you love to read, the Oregon State University Press is an organization that you should get to know. Celebrating 50 years of publishing 2011, the OSU Press issues some of the nation's best and brightest outdoor writers. With titles like: Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern American by author Ron Strickland; Potluck: Community on the Edge of Wilderness by author Ana Maria Spagna; Spirit of the Siskiyous: The Journals of a Mountain Naturalist by author Mary Paetzel; and Voodoo Vintners: Oregon's Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers by Katherine Cole...every lover of nature will find a book here that will titillate his or her brain.

So discover this non-profit reading resource that for 50 years has published exceptional scholarly and general interest books about the history, culture, literature, environment, and natural resources of the region.

For additional information: Oregon State Univeristy Press, 121 The Valley Library, Corvallis OR 97331-4501; 541.737.3166; email: OSU.Press@oregonstate.edu; website: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press

The 8 Principles of Leave No Trace

We love the concept of "Leave No Trace." Here's a recap of its mighty principles:

• Plan ahead & prepare.
• Camp & travel on durable surfaces.
• Pack it in, pack it out.
• Properly dispose of what you can't pack out.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize use & impact of fires.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors
  

Leave No Trace depends more on attitude and awareness than on rules and regulations. Many of the specific travel and camping practices you choose to follow will be based upon your commitment to have a minimum impact on your surroundings.

Some notable quotes that really uphold the Leave No Trace philosophy:

"Rules are what you follow when someone is watching. Ethics are what you follow when no one is watching."  --unknown author


"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community."  --Aldo Leopold

"Wilderness is the raw material out of which man has hammered the artifact called civilization." --Aldo Leopold

"Let no one say and say it to your shame; that all was beauty here until you came." --unknown author

Kalmiopsis Wilderness

"The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness." John Muir

The Kalmiopsis Wilderness area is very near the Wild Rogue River and part of the Siskiyou National Forest. It is legendary for its diversity of plant life. Much of this diversity results from plant species adapting to life in harsh soils derived from peridotite and serpentinite rocks. Both are rich in heavy metals such as magnesium, iron, chromium and nickel, which in high amounts can be toxic to most plants. The diversity of plant habitat has been the result of a combination of geologic forces (uplift, folding and faulting), erosional and depositional forces (glaciation, weather, climate, and the action of rivers), and periodic fires.



"Lilla (Leach) suddenly hesitated, gazed at a red patch of flowers ahead and then almost ran to it. She got down on her knees, examining them and exclaimed, "I have never seen anything like it before! Isn't it beautiful? I believe it is new." This was a June 14, 1930; and John Leach's account of the couple's discovery of a new genus in the Gold Basin of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness area. The Kalmiopsis leachiana is a relic of the pre-ice age and the oldest member of the Heath (Ericaceae) Family. The Kaliopsis Wilderness was named after this unique endemic shrub.