ORCA Itinerary

• June 25: Group meets at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, OR. After arriving, the group will travel to their first campsite nearby, get to know each other, and set goals for themselves and the group
• June 26: Food and gear pack-out, trek preparation with day-hike, and working on backcountry skills.This day will be a busy one! The group will take time to complete pack-out and learn basic campcraft skills before putting them to the test during a short day-hike (potentially with time to explore local swimming holes). This will help establish the group’s strengths and areas for improvement, preparing them for the upcoming adventure.
• June 27: Travel, paddle, and camp! The group will take a short drive to meet our friends at Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures in Merlin, where they will guide us on a day of whitewater rafting the Wild and Scenic Rogue River; this will serve as useful reconnaissance as we will be trekking the trail alongside the beautiful beast over the next several days.
• June 28-July 4: Trekking the Rogue River Trail. The journey begins! From camping at the trailhead the previous night, the group will begin their trek on this first day, challenging and awing the group as you make your way west. The group will work together to navigate rugged, wet, mossy, and leafy terrain along the river. Evenings will be spent camping under the stars, preparing delicious food, debriefing the day’s adventures, practicing leadership skills, and enjoying time together. During this time, our friends at Morrisons will shuttle our van to the western terminus before we finish.
• July 5: Travel, rest, and resupply. After a final short hike to the van, the group will drive along the scenic Pacific coast and cross the border into California! The group will make a pit stop in Crescent City to breathe the salty air and gather supplies for the second half of the trip, en route to their campsite for the night at Prairie Creek State Park.
• July 6-7: Coastal redwood exploration and beach camping. The group will pack up their backpacks and hike through a truly unique landscape, encompassing some of the tallest trees on the planet. The dense forest will spit them out onto beaches alongside the Pacific Ocean, where they will be able to swim, relax, and camp for the night. They will then retrace their steps, immerse themselves amongst giants, and return to camp at Prairie Creek State Park.
• July 8-11: Trekking the South Kelsey National Recreation Trail. Following their beach and coastal redwood exploration, the group will move further inland towards another Wild and Scenic River: the Smith of northern California. Alongside this beautiful blue river is the South Kelsey Trail, a rocky and mossy path with plenty of access points to fun, calm sections of the river for swimming. This part of the trip will serve as another opportunity for the group to improve their backcountry skills and teamwork.
• July 12: Paddling the Smith River. Of course, after spending four days awe-struck by the most blue water you have ever seen, one can only wish to paddle it! On this day, our friends at Redwood Rides will guide us down the middle fork of the Smith, rafting through some enjoyable whitewater amongst even more towering redwoods.
• July 13: Travel, day-hike, prepare for departure, and debrief. The group will spend a final morning appreciating the trees as they hike along the Boy Scout Tree Trail near Crescent City. Their goodbyes will be followed by a scenic drive over the border and back to their first campsite outside of Medford. Here, they will get themselves organized and de-issue their gear before a final debrief, all in preparation for tomorrow’s departure.
• July 14: Departure! Participants return home and spread their newfound knowledge to the greater world.