Ranger-led snowshoe tours have restarted at Crater Lake National Park, where they are scheduled on weekends through April and Monday through Friday next week. The popular hikes are free, and equipment is provided.

Crater Lake National Park has resumed free ranger-led snowshoe hikes on weekends through April 28 and next week, Monday through Friday, during spring break. Staffing issues delayed this season’s start of the hikes until now.

Equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. The walks start at 1 p.m. and last two hours. They cover 1 to 2 miles of moderate to strenuous terrain. Routes vary, but they typically start at Rim Village and explore along the rim.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Group tours are possible. To sign up, call the park at 541-594-3100. More information is available at www.nps.gov/crla.

Conservancy sets upcoming hikes and events

Learn about birds, butterflies, wildflowers and more during upcoming hikes, work parties and outings hosted by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Registration is required and early sign-ups are suggested.

Events include the following:

• Join a volunteer work party to pull invasive Scotch broom 9 a.m. to noon March 30 at Rogue River Preserve, 646 Rogue River Drive, Eagle Point.

• See the wildflowers during a hike at Agate Desert Preserve, located at Table Rock and West Antelope roads, 3-5 p.m. April 10.

• Explore Pompadour Bluff near Ashland, 3-5 p.m. April 17, April 24 and May 8.

• Take a stroll through Whetstone Savanna Preserve, located off Newland Road near White City, 9 a.m. to noon April 21 and May 14.

• Learn about the geology of Pompadour Bluff, 9 a.m. to noon April 27.

• Get a primer on nature journaling 10 a.m. to noon May 11 at Jacksonville’s Oredson-Todd Woods, off Lupine Drive.

• Explore a mountain forest and meadow at a conserved property near Mount Ashland, 4-7 p.m. June 25.

Most hikes are free. Pets are not allowed. Sign up online at landconserve.org. For more information, call 541-482-3069 or email events@landconserve.org.

It’s Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast

Volunteers are scheduled to man 15 locations along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot migrating gray whales and their calves during Spring Whale Watch Week, March 23-31, according to Oregon State Parks.

The locations, which include some of the best whale-viewing spots on the coast, include Harris Beach State Park near Brookings, Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint near Bandon and Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay. Volunteers are scheduled to be out 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An estimated 14,500 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon from late winter through June as part of their annual migration from Mexico to Alaska. They typically swim about a mile out and can be spotted when they surface to blow. Use binoculars to spot them. Dress for the weather.

Last year, researchers counted 412 calves, nearly double the year before when an unusual whale mortality event took place.

For more information, visit bit.ly/3TlGzCB.

Work party to clean up pioneer cemetery

Help clean up the historic I.O.O.F Cemetery, 1581 Siskiyou Blvd., in Medford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday under the direction of the Medford Parks and Recreation Department.

The work will include cleaning headstones, removing invasive plants and clearing debris. Tools are provided. Wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

To register, visit solveoregon.org or https://bit.ly/3uYV7A1. The cemetery was founded in 1890 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Medford Parks and Rec offers hikes for older adults

The Medford Parks and Recreation Department is scheduled to host several hikes for people 55 and older. Marc Mason, health coach, will lead them.

Hikers meet at 1 p.m. at Rogue X, 701 N. Columbus Ave., in Medford and take a van to the trail. Space is limited and registration is required.

Hikes include:

• On March 26, take a challenging 4.5-mile trek on the Felton Memorial Trail, which starts at a meadow, follows a creek and offers views of the Applegate Valley.

• On April 2, take a moderately challenging hike of 4.5 miles along the East Applegate Ridge Trail. The trail starts at Sterling Creek and follows a ridge for views of the Applegate Valley.

• On April 9, take an easy 1.7-mile hike along Cantrall Creek in Jacksonville’s Forest Park.

• On April 16, sample three Jacksonville trails and the city’s historic downtown during a 4.3-mile hike of moderate difficulty.

• On April 23, take an easy 2.3-mile hike on Canyon Vista Trail, which follows a creek and passes waterfalls.

Cost per hike is $12 for Medford residents, $18 for non-residents. Register at playmedford.com. For more information, call 541-774-2400.

Libraries in Gold Hill, Butte Falls offer weekly walks

The Gold Hill Library offers weekly walks for adults from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, rain or shine. The group leaves from the library, 202 Dardanelles St., and usually walks along the path to the Gold Hill Sports Park and back. For more information, contact the library at 541-855-1994.

The Butte Falls Library offers weekly walks for adults 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays starting at the Butte Falls Library, 626 Fir Ave., rain or shine. For more information, contact the library at 541-865-3511.

Tell others about your outing or event Tell us about your upcoming outdoors-related event by sending us brief details, contact information and other important information so that we can tell others about your event in our weekly column, Outdoor Adventures. Send to reporter Shaun Hall at shall@rv-times.com or 2 E. Main St., Ste. 200, Medford, Oregon, 97501. Reach Hall at 458-225-7179. {related_content_uuid}1730007a-97d5-439e-8afa-d9834a3f4333{/related_content_uuid}

Tell us about your upcoming outdoors-related event by sending us brief details, contact information and other important information so that we can tell others about your event in our weekly column, Outdoor Adventures.

Send to reporter Shaun Hall at shall@rv-times.com or 2 E. Main St., Ste. 200, Medford, Oregon, 97501. Reach Hall at 458-225-7179.