Despite the nearby Middle Fork Fire, planning continues for the annual Ride the Rim bicycling event set for Sept. 7 and 14 at Crater Lake National Park.

“So far, Ride the Rim is a go,” park spokeswoman Marsha McCabe said Tuesday.

The event, which is free of charge, allows visitors to ride at their own pace along 25 vehicle-free miles of the road around the lake. About 5,500 people participated last year.

Visit ridetherimoregon.com for more information. Registration closes Sept. 2.

North entrance to Crater Lake remains closed by wildfire

The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park remained closed on Monday and will remain closed for at least a another week, officials said Tuesday. In the meantime, visitors should use the park’s south entrance, off Highway 62. The park remains open.

The Middle Fork Fire is burning nearby, in the northwest corner of the park and just over the park boundary to the north. Precipitation, cooler temperatures and higher humidity minimized fire behavior over the weekend, with fire spread limited to backing, creeping and smoldering.

As of Monday, the fire was at 5,222 acres with 0% contained. Crews continue to clear vegetation along Highway 230 and at the north entrance.

For more information, call the park at 541 594-3000 or go online to nps.gov/crla. For road closures, go tripcheck.com. For a smoke outlook, visit fire.airnow.gov. For fire information, go to “Diamond Complex Fire Information” on Facebook.

Rogue River to Grants Pass path proposed

The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting an open house 5-8 p.m. Aug. 29 at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A St., concerning a possible biking-hiking path between Grants Pass and the city of Rogue River.

Planners are seeking public input on alternative routes, including along Foothill Boulevard on the river’s north side and the Rogue River Highway on the river’s south side. The path would connect with the Rogue River Greenway trail in Rogue River, which extends to Gold Hill and might someday connect with the Bear Creek Greenway in Central Point.

A second open house is expected to take place in February. Volunteers to serve on committees are being sought.

For more information, visit grantspassoregon.gov or contact ODOT planner Ian Horlacher at  ian.k.horlacher@odot.oregon.gov. Reach the project’s website at bit.ly/3SX2DUv.

Ride the Rogue biking event coming up

The Rogue River Greenway Foundation’s annual Ride the Rogue cycling event and fundraiser is set for Sept. 28 beginning and ending in Rogue River. The event, which starts and ends at Palmerton Park, includes bicycle rides of 20 and 40 miles and a metric century ride with optional timed challenge segment. All abilities are welcome.

The event supports the Rogue River Greenway, a biking-hiking trail that extends from Rogue River to Gold Hill, paralleling the Rogue River. The hope is that the trail will someday connect with Grants Pass and Central Point.

Cost for the event is $45-$85, depending on which ride is chosen. All rides include rest stop refreshments. An after-ride party with music and refreshments is scheduled. A barbecue meal is $25. Meals must be ordered by Aug. 31.

Get details at ridetherogue.com. For more information, call 800-541-0925.

‘Provolt After Dark’ events set for Aug. 30, Sept. 6

The Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, in collaboration with the Provolt Volunteer Team and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, is hosting events Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 entitled “Provolt After Dark,” focusing on creatures of the night and the night sky at the BLM’s Provolt Recreation Site, 14171 Williams Highway.

BLM biologist Zia Fukuda will lead a guided walk to learn about bats and owls and get a chance to view them during the first event, set for 8:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 30. Veteran stargazers Barbara Yates and Mark Solomon will help visitors explore the night sky during the second event, set for 9 to 11 p.m. Sept. 6.

Bring a camp chair, warm layers and a red-light headlamp if you have one. Snacks and telescopes will be provided. Attendance is limited to 50 people. Register at applegatepartnership.org (click on “News & Events”). Direct questions to charlotte@apwc.info. Contact the partnership at 541-899-9982.

Cave Junction Labor Day Festival is Aug. 31-Sept. 3

The Illinois Valley Lions 51st annual Labor Day Festival is set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at Jubilee Park in Cave Junction, featuring a parade, games, food, vendors and tuff truck competition, among other activities.

Tuff truck races start at noon daily. Vehicles race against time over a dirt course of curves and bumps. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2 and travels through downtown.

Tour Jacksonville’s historic district

Free outdoor walking tours of Jacksonville’s historic landmark district are offered at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 31, leaving from City Hall, 205 N. Fifth St. The tours last about one hour and cover about one mile. 

Reservations are required. Call 541-245-3650 or write to info@historicjacksonville.org.

Take a stroll in Butte Falls

The Butte Falls Walking Group takes weekly hour-long strolls on Thursdays at 1 p.m., leaving from the Butte Falls Library, 626 Fir Ave. The strolls are an opportunity to exercise outdoors and socialize. The group meets rain or shine. Call the library at 541-865-3511 for more information.

Take a hike with Medford parks and recreation

The city of Medford’s Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department offers hikes for people 55 and older, including a hard hike of 7 miles on the Petard and Liz’s Loop at Jacksonville Woodlands on Aug. 27. Participants meet at 11 a.m. at Rogue X, 901 Rossanley Drive in Medford and take a van to the trail. Cost is $12 for residents and $18 for nonresidents. Space is limited.

To register or get more information, contact the department at playmedford.com or 541-774-2400.

Help clear trails in the Red Buttes Wilderness

Join the Siskiyou Mountain Club for a work-party outing scheduled Friday through Sunday near Azalea Lake in the Red Buttes Wilderness and help tackle trail sections of thick brush. Participants should have recent backpacking experience and be prepared for six moderate miles of hiking. No trail work experience is necessary.

A shuttle vehicle leaves the Rogue Valley at 7 a.m. Friday. Space is limited. To sign up, send an email to alex@siskiyoumountainclub.org. For more information, contact the club at 458-254-0657 or siskiyoumountainclub.org.

Learn about native plant production during farm visits

The Rogue Native Plant Partnership is offering a farm tour series for growers interested in what it takes to start native plant production from scratch, including site preparation and water infrastructure. Subjects will include the economic viability of native seed or containerized plant production as a business or for restoration projects.

Sites to visit include the J. Herbert Stone Nursery in Central Point on Wednesday, Starlo Farms in Talent on Aug. 27, Sampson Creek Preserve in Central Point on Aug. 28 and White Oak Farm & Education Center on Oct. 11 in Williams.

Tours are free. Learn more and sign up at roguenativeplants.org/events.

Tour an herb farm

Applegate organic herb farm Oshala Farm, an organic herb farm in the Applegate Valley, is hosting a free walking tour 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 11. Participants should wear closed-toed walking shoes and bring a reusable water bottle or tea cup if you’d like a cup of herbal tea. Register at least 48 hours in advance. To register, call 541-846-1120 or visit oshalafarm.com. The farm is located at 14900 Highway 238.

Japanese Garden hosts moon-gazing event

The Ashland Japanese Garden is hosting “Otsukimi — Moon Gazing Festival” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

The garden is in Lithia Park and off of Granite Street near Strawberry Lane. For more information, contact the city’s park’s department at 541-488-5340 or go to ashlandcommunitygarden.org.

Hang out with the birds of summer

See and hear a variety of birds that spend the summer in the Rogue Valley during an easy walk led by experts 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 21 through North Mountain Park, 620 N. Mountain Ave., in Ashland.

Register at buff.ly/3XoeM8j. For more information, contact Ashland Parks and Recreation at 541-488-6606.

Want to publicize your upcoming outdoors event for free? Send details to writer Shaun Hall at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com. Submissions about upcoming events are encouraged.