Backpack the Oregon Cascades

We'll begin our adventure backpacking in the dramatically beautiful Three Sisters Wilderness along the Pacific Crest Trail, passing by clear blue lakes, numerous flower-filled meadows and towering volcanoes. The Three Sisters are spectacular, snowcapped volcanoes surrounded by beautiful alpine lakes, flower-strewn meadows, old growth forests, and eerie lava flows. This is Oregon's premier wilderness area and we are fortunate to be the only wilderness travel program with authority to operate here. We'll spend our days learning basic navigational skills, low-impact camping techniques and wilderness cooking procedures, while at night we'll be amazed at the bountiful and brilliant star-filled sky.

Climb the Snowcapped South Sister

Before leaving the Three Sisters, we'll be rewarded by an amazing climb of the snowcapped South Sister Volcano where we'll have stunning views of the entire Cascade Range, as well as our next destinations of the Deschutes River Canyon and Smith Rock. We'll then glissade down its slopes.

Whitewater Raft the Deschutes River

Just 30 minutes from the Bend area, the Deschutes River cuts a steep and spectacular canyon through the Oregon desert. For the next 3 days, we will raft and inflatable kayak thrilling whitewater rapids ranging from Class III to IV. This wonderful whitewater river has been home to Wilderness Ventures groups since 1973, when we were the first program to run the river with groups of young adults. Besides the thrilling whitewater, there are numerous quiet pools for relaxing and gazing at the scenery as we drift along. We will spend each evening beneath magnificent cliffs, listening to the roar of this river as it carries snowmelt from the Cascades to the Columbia River.

Rock Climb at Smith Rock State Park

Just 30 minutes east of the Cascades lies one of North America's finest rock climbing environments, Smith Rock State Park. We will set up our base camp in this breathtaking high desert area of granite cliffs where, for 3 days, we will have the opportunity to learn basic climbing skills and safety procedures such as movement on rock, anchors, rappelling, rope systems and signaling. Grouped by ability, we'll climb a variety of challenging routes, culminating with an optional Tyrolean traverse of the Monkey's Face. Returning to the Columbia Gorge, we'll spend our last evening together enjoying a traditional northwest banquet, prior to our departing flights from Portland.



All the major components of this trip have been offered by us over the past 37 years.