A snowy view of Bigelow Lakes from the top of Mount Elijah in the Oregon Caves National Preserve and Monument. December marks the 10-year anniversary of the 2014 expansion of the monument, which was established in 1909. 

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This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the expanded Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.

The 2014 expansion, undertaken to enhance conservation efforts, added 4,070 acres of U.S. Forest Service property to the then-488-acre monument, first established in 1909.

The park is home to 3 miles of marble caves, an underground river, six hiking trails and The Oregon Caves Chateau, a six-story historic lodge that opened in 1934 and is currently under reconstruction. The monument and preserve is located off of highway 46, about 20 miles east of Cave Junction. Cave tours will resume in the spring.

Cities publish new activity guides

The city of Ashland has just published a Winter-Spring activity guide, joining Medford in providing an updated roundup of upcoming recreational activities, including classes, events and outings. Check out the Ashland guide at bit.ly/WinterSpringGuide2025 and Medford’s guide at playmedford.com.

Ban placed on the harvest of wild winter steelhead

Winter harvest restrictions for wild winter steelhead are now in place through April 30 on the Illinois and Rogue rivers. All wild winter steelhead on the Illinois and on the Rogue from the mouth of the Illinois to the Cole Rivers Hatchery must be released unharmed, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. One wild steelhead may be kept if caught in the Rogue River below the mouth of the Illinois River.

This year marks the first time that ODFW has placed a ban on harvesting wild steelhead from the mouth of the Illinois River to Cole Rivers Hatchery, according to a statement from Rogue River Watershed Council. ODFW biologists think that the extreme drought in 2021 and 2022 was the major contributor to low half-pounder returns in 2022 and 2023, according to the statement.

Ariel chairlift might open soon at Mt. Ashland Ski Area

Repairs to the Ariel chairlift at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area might be complete by Christmas Day, according to an announcement from general manager Andrew Gast. The chairlift, damaged last month by a falling tree, provides riders a lift to the mountain summit. Its closure has limited access to about half of the mountain’s runs.

“Unfortunately, the upper mountain is closed, and some of our signature terrain is inaccessible,” Gast said in a Dec. 21 announcement.

Some parts needed to be custom fabricated, testing needed to be done and additional normal pre-season maintenance undertaken, along with other preparations, he said.

“Our best estimate for the earliest day Ariel will open is Christmas Day, and depending on many factors, it could be in the following few days toward next weekend,” Gast said.

For more information, visit mtashland.com or call 541-482-2897.

Audubon Society to lead monthly outing to wildlife area

Join the Rogue Valley Audubon Society on Jan. 1 for its monthly outing to Denman Wildlife Area. Walks begin at 8:30 a.m. and end before noon. They are led by Jim Hostick.

For directions and additional information, visit roguevalleyaudubon.org.

Bird expert to give two presentations

The Jan. 9 chapter meeting of the Siskiyou Audubon Society is scheduled to feature a presentation by Pepper Trail about the migration of Southern Oregon birds and the ecology underlying migration patterns. The meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. at 129 N.W. E St. in Grants Pass. For more information, visit bit.ly/3VRy7gi.

Trail also is scheduled to address the Rogue Valley Audubon Society on Jan. 28 to discuss the ways that climate change is impacting birds. That meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Medford Congregational Church of Christ, Lidgate Hall, 1801 E. Jackson St. in Medford. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. To join the meeting online, go to www.roguevalleyaudubon.org/ for the link.

Trail is a naturalist and writer. He was the ornithologist at the Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory for more than 20 years.

Whale Watch Week

is Dec. 27-31

Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast from Friday to Dec. 31, when volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico.

The sites, which include some of the best places to watch for whales, include Harris Beach State Park near Brookings, Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint near Bandon and Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay. View a map of volunteer-staffed sites at bit.ly/41x2o7T.

The migration typically lasts from mid-December through mid-January. Whale-watchers are advised to dress for the weather, bring binoculars and mind beach safety precautions.

Crater Lake rangers lead free snowshoe walks

Crater Lake National Park offers free ranger-guided snowshoe walks on weekends through April and also on weekdays during winter break, Dec. 23-Jan. 3, and spring break, March 24-28.

They start at 1 p.m., last two hours and cover 1-2 miles over moderate to strenuous terrain. Participants must be at least 8 years old. Snowshoes are provided.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Separate groups tours might be available. Park entrance fee of $20 applies. Call 541-594-3100.

Fish Lake Resort offers wagon rides, activities

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride at Fish Lake Resort, Highway 140, mile marker 30, from Saturday to Jan. 1. Time slots are limited. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children 6-14 and free for children 5 and under. For sleigh ride tickets, visit bit.ly/4gRga9B.

Children’s crafts and other activities are held weekends in December, $5 per child. Snowshoe rentals are available. For more information, call 541-949-8500 or visit fishlakeresort.net.

Parks passes on sale

Annual Oregon State Parks and Josephine County park passes for 2025 are on sale for $25, which is $5 off, through the end of the year. For details on state parks passes, go to stateparks.oregon.gov; for details on the county passes, go to bit.ly/4f0ZlHY. For more information, call 800-452-5687 for state parks and 541-474-5285 for Josephine County parks.

Celebrate the holidays at historic sites, outdoor areas

Holiday activities are taking place at a number of historic places and outdoor areas, including the following:

• Visit the annual holiday lights display at Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay from dusk until 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Timed entry and $5 parking must be purchased before arrival at bit.ly/2024holidaylights or by calling 800-452-5687 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Holiday lights and decorations remain up at the historic McKee Bridge, 9161 Upper Applegate Road, through the end of the year. For more information, visit mckeebridge.org.

• While in Jacksonville, visit the Beekman House, 470 E. California St., for a holiday tour, from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. For tickets, go to historicjacksonville.org/victorian-christmas.

• Visit the historic Hanley Farm on Thursday to see the 1857 farmhouse decked out for the holidays. Tours begin every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The farm is at 1053 Hanley Road in Central Point. Tickets are $10, $5 for children 12 and younger. For tickets, visit sohs.org or call 541-622-2025.

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.