Langdale Walking & Adventure Holidays

INTRODUCTION
This high-quality holiday is designed for the discerning traveller who appreciates excellent accommodation and is interested in experiencing the amazing natural landscapes and geological curiosities of Central Oregon - known as High Desert Country.

We stay in luxurious private houses at Sunriver Resort near Bend. The programme includes guided walks in and around dormant volcanoes and volcanic caldera in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range, and the magnificent serenity of Crater Lake National Park. You will be introduced to the culture, history and geology of the American West including The Oregon Trail, Settlers, Native Americans and old Western frontier towns.

In addition to the walks, other activities include canoeing on pristine mountain lakes, High Desert Museum and the historic frontier town of Bend. Time has also been allowed for you to enjoy the many delights of Sunriver Resort.

Walking
We walk through spectacular volcanic landscapes during which our local guide will share the fascinating natural and cultural history of the region. The walks encompass the Cascades, National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks and the Deschutes National Forest.

The walks are at an altitude of between 3,000 and 9,000 feet (Sunriver is at 4,100 feet) and are suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit.

Weather
Late summer is an ideal time for a visit to Oregon's High Desert country. The weather should be warm and sunny during the day, probably in the mid 70° F, cooler at night. But like all mountainous regions, be prepared for sudden changes.

Day 1 - Friday 3rd September 2010 - Travel
Fly United Airlines from UK to Redmond, Central Oregon, or own travel arrangements. A cold buffet will be provided in the lodge on arrival or alternatively, you may choose to have dinner under your own arrangements at a local restaurant. D

Day 2 - Saturday 4th September 2010 - Introduction to Sunriver & Free Time
We attend a welcome reception at 10:00 at Sunriver Lodge. This includes a briefing by Dave Nissen of Wanderlust Tours who will introduce us to Oregon and set the scene for our programme of walks and visits for the following two weeks. Dave, along with one of his colleagues, will be with us throughout the tour as our guides. You may then wish to join an orientation tour of Sunriver Resort. These activities should take about two hours. Optional lunch followed by free time to explore and relax at Sunriver. Welcome drinks from 18:30. Courtesy transport will collect us at 19:30 for dinner at The Meadows Restaurant at 20:00. BD

Day 3 - Sunday 5th September 2010 - Smith Rock State Park
We depart at 08:00 for Smith Rock State Park, where the geologic qualities of this place will strike you. We'll begin our hike along the spectacular Crooked River Canyon, winding our way to the Monkey Face. We climb the mountain until we're staring the monkey in the mouth and from this spot we enjoy spectacular views of the entire Cascade Range. This roundtrip hike is only four miles but we have graded it Moderate due to some scrambling, exposure and steep ascent. Return in time for optional lunch. Grade:Moderate. Elevation gain 700ft. 4 hours. We are collected from our lodge at 19:15 for The Grille at Crosswater for dinner at 20:00. BD

Day 4 - Monday 6th September 2010 - Fort Rock and Crack in the Ground
Set off at 08:00 for a day's journey into an environment of sagebrush and raptors. Fort Rock's pinnacles rise above an ancient ocean bed, where erosion has created homes for the many birds of this desert region. Our next jaunt is to Crack in the Ground, which provides a great opportunity to walk inside a fault line, where water-loving plants thrive in this desert ecozone. The walking is easy today; the environment spectacular. Packed lunch. Grade Easy. Minimum elevation gain. 3 hours.

Tonight we have dinner at Cowboy Dinner Tree - years ago there was an old shack under what is now the Cowboy Dinner tree, when the ranchers from Paisley, Summer Lake and Silver Lake pushed their cattle through the Sycan trail en-route to the lush meadows of the Sycan Marsh. By the time the cowboys had moved the cattle from Silver Lake lakebed to the Dinner Tree, it was considered the half-way point, and the chuck wagon was waiting there to serve-up some buckaroo, beans and biscuits. Today, after all these many years, the Cowboy Dinner Tree still serves-up the beans and bread, along with a slab of beef that most cowboys would only dream of on the trail! Return to Sunriver after dinner. BLD

Day 5 - Tuesday 7th September 2010 - Lava Lands, High Desert Museum and Bend
We set off at 09:00 and take a short drive to nearby Lava Lands to journey to the top of a volcano, which sits within a 10-square-mile lava field. Be prepared for spectacular views from the top of the crater. Our guides provide a fascinating interpretation of the geology of the area. We then head off to the nationally acclaimed High Desert Museum, to enjoy a conducted tour of the Spirit of the West, a 'walk-through-time' exhibit of High Desert history. After the conducted tour we have some extra time to spend visiting the many exhibits, call at the shop and take refreshments in the cafe. This tour should set the stage for the rest of our visit to Oregon. Next, we head for Bend to visit Drake Park and Downtown followed by a walk along the Deschutes River to the Old Mill District. Optional lunch and a browse around this delightful area before returning to Sunriver. Home cooked barbeque.(Housekeeping clean all houses, and provide fresh towels and sheets.) BD

Day 6 - Wednesday 8th September 2010 - Tumalo Falls
Depart at 09:00 for Tumalo Falls. This pretty hike begins at the base of the 100 foot Tumalo Falls. The six-mile round trip takes us up along the North Fork of the falls, where one waterfall after another drops into deep pools carved into the forest floor. Basalt, wildflowers and chilly water abound, while the silence of the forest reigns. This is a moderate hike with some non-challenging elevation gain and loss. Packed lunch. Grade: Moderate (6 hours). Elevation gain 300ft. We will be collected from the lodge at 19:30 for dinner at 20:00 at South Bend Bistro. BLD

Day 7 - Thursday 9th September 2010 - Crater Lake National Park
Be ready to leave at 08:00 and pack what you need for a night at Crater Lake Lodge as we head south on Highway 97 for Crater Lake National Park. Our morning drive takes us up the east slope of the Cascade Range. We ascend the north flank of old Mount Mazama and arrive on the rim for incredible views down to Crater Lake. Our next stop on the rim will be the trailhead leading us to Mount Scott, the highest point in the National Park at just under 9,000 feet. Packed lunch. Grade: Moderate 4 hours. Elevation gain 1900ft. After the hike, we check in at Crater Lake Lodge and relax on the terrace before experiencing the memorable sunset over the lake. Dinner at Crater Lake Lodge - reservations at 20:00 and 20:30. BLD

Day 8 - Friday 10th September 2010 - Crater Lake National Park
After breakfast at the Lodge we drive to the opposite side of the lake and take the one-mile trail down to the water's edge for an incredible two-hour boat journey around the lake, passing Wizard and Phantom Islands. 3 hours. Elevation gain 1000ft. Drive back to Sunriver, stopping en-route for an optional lunch. Dinner reservations tonight at Marcello's at 20:00. BD

Day 9 - Saturday 11th September 2010 - Canoe the High Cascade Lakes
Put in our canoes to paddle the glassy waters of a pristine mountain lake. Explore the basaltic lava shores, which spilled over Mt. Bachelor's 9,000ft slopes, spewing steam as it collided with frigid mountain melt-off from the Three Sisters . A swim for the hearty can happen on the sandy shores of the lake!

No previous experience is needed and our guides and instructors ensure that we have a memorable and safe day's canoeing. Mountain vistas provide the backdrop scenery for this unique experience. Picnic lunch. Return to Sunriver in the afternoon. BLD

Day 10 - Sunday 12th September 2010 - McKenzie River
Today's relatively easy hike, courses its way along the spectacular McKenzie River. We pass enormous waterfalls, encounter the river's disappearance underground only to witness it springing forth again at Tamolitch Pool - amazingly it takes seven years for it to pass through this vast underground reservoir. Bring extra socks - yours will be knocked off on this journey! Packed lunch. Grade: Easy. 6 hours. Elevation gain - 500ft. Dinner reservations tonight at The Trouthouse 19:30 for dinner at 20:00. BLD

Day 11 - Monday 13th September 2010 - Black Butte Hike
Today's hike takes us up relatively docile Black Butte, where we see the areas we have roamed for the last several days. The Oregon Cascades will be stretched out before us. Below us lies the Metolius River, bursting from the earth, which we plan to visit before our return to Sunriver. Grade: easy. Packed lunch. Home cooked barbeque. (Housekeeping clean all houses, and provide fresh towels and sheets.) BLD

Day 12 - Tuesday 14th September 2010 - Hike Broken Top
The most scenic mountain in Central Oregon awaits our visit. The high alpine country is our destination for the day. Ascending some 2,000ft through forest, pumice flats and blown out volcanic debris, we'll crest a rocky moraine setting our sights on No Name Lake. Tucked onto the side of Broken Top, No Name offers some pretty incredible views of the Three Sisters mountains. Dinner tonight at the South Bend Bistro. BD

Day 13 - Wednesday 15th September 2010 - Canoe or Raft Trip down the Deschutes River
We have included this leisurely canoe or raft trip down the scenic Deschutes River as an option to be enjoyed on the last day. This flat-water float is six miles long and lasts about two hours. It starts at the Sunriver Marina and, at the end, a shuttle bus takes you back to the Marina. Free time in the afternoon. Courtesy transport has been booked for 19:30 for dinner at The Trouthouse at 20:00. BD

Day 14 - Thursday 16th September 2010 - Travel
We transfer by private coach provided by Sunriver Resort to Redmond Airport for the return flight to the UK. B

Day 15 - Friday 17th September 2010
Arrive back in UK.

B = breakfast    L = lunch    D = dinner

SUNRIVER RESORT
We fly from UK to Redmond, Central Oregon followed by a one hour's drive to Sunriver Resort. We stay at Sunriver Resort in high-quality privately-owned houses with two or three bedrooms and private bathrooms. Each house has a lounge/dining room, fully-equipped kitchen, TV in most rooms, stereo, large deck (balcony), barbeque, hot tub, washer/dryer and open-plan gardens. This 5-star resort enjoys spectacular mountain views and boasts over 3,000 acres of recreational paradise, with 30 miles of paved cycle paths, fishing, canoeing, horse-riding, tennis, lovely swimming pools, country club and two championship 18-hole golf courses, along with many other sporting and leisure facilities. It has its own village and shopping complex with boutiques, coffee houses, restaurants and much more.

Accommodation at Sunriver

• Meadow Houses - Located on the edge of the golf course, these delightful private homes have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lovely lounge. Some have hot tubs. Sleeps 4
• Freemont Crossing - Similar to Meadow Houses except that they have three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Luxurious and spacious. Hot tub. Sleeps 6

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
We have included a night at historic Crater Lake Lodge, dramatically located on the rim of Crater Lake National Park. First opened to the public in 1915, the Lodge surrounds you with rustic elegance and a special experience will be to see the sun setting or rising over the lake.

MEAL ARRANGEMENTS
- Generous provisions are provided for your breakfast in the comfort of your lodge, plus picnic lunches for the walking programme. A particular feature of the holiday will be evening dinner parties in different restaurants in the area, enabling us to enjoy the culinary delights of Oregon, plus home cooked barbeques on some evenings.

Please note that the following flight details are based on 2010 schedules and are subject to change by the airline. All times are local. Central Oregon -8 hours GMT.

* Flight operated by BMI
** Flight operated by United Express/Skywest

     * These activities involve additional costs.

Further Information
     Sunriver Resort
     Wanderlust Tours
     Bend

Recommended Reading
     Frontier Doctor by Urling C Coe. MD
     Lewis & Clark - An Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
     Undaunted Courage by Steven E Ambrose