A hang glider takes off from Woodrat Mountain near Ruch, the site of Rat Route 238 from June 9-13, when flyers from around the West will join local pilots in a series of fun competitions. (Flickr)

The public is invited to the Ruch area June 9-13 in the Applegate Valley to view paragliders and hang gliders participating in the inaugural Rat Route 238, six days of fun competitions and socializing that attracts pilots from around the West.

Launches take place from late morning to early evening from Woodrat Mountain, peaking about 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The mountain is considered by organizers to be a premier launch site. 

Flying is weather-dependent, but landings are scheduled to take place at various venues, including wineries and a farm, offering food, drink, music and other activities. 

Landing sites include LongSword Vineyards, 8555 Highway 238 on June 8, 9 and 13; Kingfisher Lavender Farm, 7717 Upper Applegate Road, on June 10; Apple Outlaw Taproom, 15090 Highway 238 on June 11 (limited landings); and Red Lily Vineyards, 11777 Highway 238 on June 12. 

“It’s going to be super easy to find us,” said Laura Houghton, one of the event organizers. “Just look up.” 

People wishing to experience flying may sign up for tandem flights with an experienced pilot. Contact Sam Crocker at 503-781-1794 or sundogparagliding.com for a tandem ride. Cost is $200. 

A symposium, “Four Decades of Flying,” featuring stories and wisdom from senior pilots, is set for 2-4:30 p.m. June 9 at the Applegate Valley Fire District community room, 1095 Upper Applegate Road. 

The event offers organized shuttles, weather briefings and posted tasks for participants. A closing party is set for 6 p.m. June 12 at Raven’s Landing in Ruch. 

Organizers are Houghton, Bala Ramos and Tonia Fox, in cooperation with the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. More information is available at ratroute.com/schedule. 

Hike through classic old-growth groves 

Join the Soda Mountain Wilderness Council for free guided hikes on June 1 and 14 in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument: 

On June 1, hike with a forest ecologist through the classic Little Hyatt old-growth groves. The trek involves about 3 miles of moderate cross-country rambling through green meadows and forest with overlook views. 

On June 14, hike with a professional botanist to see views from Porcupine Mountain in the monument. The hike is about 3 miles on varied terrain, including the Pacific Crest Trail, an old jeep trail and some cross-country. 

Sign up via sodamtnwild@yahoo.com or call 541-482-8660 for more information. 

Hike through history of railroad tunnel 

Join the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology on Saturday for a free guided history hike at the Buck Rock Tunnel. 

The tunnel and surrounding grade, built by Chinese railroad workers, was the first route of the Oregon and California Railroad through the Siskiyou Mountains. 

To register, visit bit.ly/4mp1ulP. Reach the Friends organization at 541-378-3039. 

Agency targets dying trees, hosts field trip 

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on proposed timber sales to reduce wildfire risk from dead and dying trees across about 5,300 acres in the Applegate Valley near Jacksonville. The agency is hosting a related field trip to harvest areas from 5-7 p.m. June 11. 

Sales would remove dead and dying trees in strategic locations, including along roadways, near homes and in locations where fire managers could best stop fires while they are small, according to the agency. 

“Removing dead and dying trees is critical for firefighter safety and the people who use these lands,” Lauren Brown, BLM Ashland field manager, said in an agency announcement. “And harvesting timber while it still has value collects revenue for the American taxpayers.” 

During the field trip, BLM foresters will discuss the bureau’s plans and show project sites where dead tree removal has already happened. 

Register for the trip at BLM_OR_AFO_VMP@blm.gov. For more information on the project, go to bit.ly/3Fj71d3. A public comment period about the project will close June 23. 

Learn about history of the Siletz Tribe 

Learn about Siletz tribal history in the Applegate and Rogue Valleys during a free presentation set for 6-8 p.m. Friday at Pacifica: A Garden in the Siskiyous, 14615 Water Gap Road, Williams. 

The presenter is Robert Kentta, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians who has worked as a tribal cultural resources director and served on the Siletz Tribal Council. 

Several organizations are sponsoring the event, including Pacifica, Applegate Siskiyou Alliance and others. Register at bit.ly/4kciBFR. 

Learn about bird watching 

Join Ashland Parks and Recreation for a free beginning birding outing for ages 10 and up from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the North Mountain Park Nature Center, 620 N. Mountain Ave. in Ashland. 

Participants will learn how to use binoculars, which are provided. Bring a water bottle, wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. 

The outing is led by Stacy Taeuber, board member of the Klamath Bird Observatory. Space is limited. Register at bit.ly/4kz562K. To contact Ashland Parks and Recreation, call 541-488-5340. 

Drop off used tires in Cave Junction 

The second annual free tire drop-off day is set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Oregon Caves Chevron, 409 S. Redwood Highway in Cave Junction. People may drop off up to 15 tires per person for free. Dump truck, semi or tractor tires are not allowed. 

A $2 bounty is paid for tires removed from public forests. Bring a photo of the tires in the woods with the location finder on. Tires removed from the forest won’t count toward the 15-tire per person limit. 

Jacksonville sets plaza event 

Tell Jacksonville planners what you’d like a potential North Third Street plaza to look like. There will be a “pop-up” event 

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the site, which is between East California and C streets and next to the Beekman Bank building. 

Share your vision and ideas for the space. There will be food, drinks and vendors. 

Learn about grasshoppers on hike 

Join the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy for a hike to explore for grasshoppers at Bear Gulch Preserve in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. 

Learn how to identify local species while discovering their essential roles in the local ecosystems. To register, visit bit.ly/3Zf0Q06. 

For more information, visit landconserve.org. Contact the organization at 541-482-3069. 

Fish for free, learn to fish 

Free fishing weekend in Oregon is June 7-8, when no one needs a license to fish, crab or clam in the state. 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has created a video introducing novices to trout fishing. View it at myodfw.com/articles/how-fish-trout. 

The agency also has produced an online guide about great places for families to fish in Southwest Oregon, including Emigrant Lake, Howard Prairie Lake, Hyatt Reservoir, Fish Lake, Lake Selmac, Lost Creek Lake and the Rogue River above Lost Creek Lake. View the guide at bit.ly/3ZCun4b. 

Conservancy hosts annual picnic 

The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hosting its annual all-members picnic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at the Rogue River Preserve near Eagle Point. 

There will be a mushroom and conks stroll, tai chi along the river, indigenous world view plant walk, children’s activity station and more. In a related matter, the Conservancy is honoring Robert Kentta, longtime cultural leader and member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. He was instrumental in the tribe’s recent acquisition of sacred lands at the Table Rocks. 

The picnic is free for members and $20 otherwise. Register by May 30 at bit.ly/3FvyoR2. Call 541-482-3069 for more information. 

Central Point classes focus on greenway 

Central Point Parks and Recreation is offering a series of all-ages classes focusing on the Bear Creek Greenway in collaboration with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and the Klamath Bird Observatory. 

It’s suggested that participants bring water and binoculars. 

On June 18, join the Conservancy for a walk along the Greenway to view trees and plants and discuss their history and importance. The walk is set for 9-11 a.m. and cost is $5. Sign up at bit.ly/3Sp4FfA. 

On June 21, join the Observatory for a walk along the Greenway to learn about local birds. The walk takes place 9-11 a.m. and cost is $5. Sign up at bit.ly/4jn62q2. 

On June 28, join the Conservancy for a walk and nature journaling. Bring a notebook and chair. The event is set for 10-11:30 a.m. Cost is $5. Register at bit.ly/43C9VSk. 

An update about the city parks foundation, pollinator garden and Greenway programs can be found on Page 5 of the department’s summer recreation guide, bit.ly/4dCBoIf. 

Jacksonville Woodlands offers summer camps 

The Jacksonville Community Center is hosting outdoor camps for children this summer, in cooperation with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and Pollinator Pals. 

The Jacksonville Woodlands Explorer Camps are for children ages 6-12 and will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 23-25 and June 30-July 2. Those camps are in partnership with the Conservancy. 

A third camp,The Eco-Adventures with Pollinator Pals, is for ages 7-12, and is in partnership with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley. The camp is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 28-30. 

Cost is $99 per session. Scholarships are available. Register at jacksonvillecommunitycenter.org. For more information, call 541-702-2585. 

Pacifica hosts summer camps 

Pacifica: A Garden in the Siskiyous is offering summer camps with a focus on the outdoors and other subjects, including engineering, sewing, horses, leadership, dance and art. Camps run June through August. 

The camps serve ages 6-18. Cost is generally $275-$300 weekly. Partial scholarships are available. Spots are limited. 

For details and registration, visit bit.ly/4jl3Dfs. 

Cities publish summer activity guides 

The cities of Medford, Ashland and Central Point have published summer 2025 activities guides that include events, classes, outings and other activities. 

View Medford’s guide at playmedford.com, Ashland’s guide at bit.ly/3Yjyhyi and Central Point’s guide at bit.ly/4dCBoIf. 

Send us news about your upcoming event 

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. 

Shaun Hall is a freelance writer living in Grants Pass. Reach him at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com