Sauvies Island (Collins Beach) in Winter

Collins Beach on Sauvies Island is legally clothing-optional and close to Portland, OR
The arrow above points to Entrance #2, the beginning of the nude beach.

Had the opportunity to head on down to Portland, Oregon a few days ago for a class.  Weather was overcast and generally miserable (threats of rain) but I found myself with lots of free time on my hands and decided to see what conditions were like at Collins Beach.

Collins Beach is within Oregon Wildlife land on the northern edge of Sauvies Island . . . which is located east,  not far from Portland, Oregon on OR 30 . . . right on the Columbia River.  Along with Rooster Rock State Park, these areas are legally-sanctioned clothing-optional areas for nude recreation.  Collins Beach on Sauvie Island, is a long stretch of wide, sandy beach . . . extremely popular during the warmer summer months.  Winter, of course, doesn't lend itself very well to being nude outside, but the beach is there anyway and who am I to argue with a chance to shuck the clothes and roam about nude . . . and legally!

One of the many entrances from the parking area . . . this one #4.
I entered at #2 which leads onto the beach at the beginning
of the clothing-optional area.

Parking at the Wildlife Refuge requires a parking pass . . . $7.50 at several different locations on the island or $22 for an annual pass (which is what I opted for since I always plan on a couple of trips to Sauvies every year).  Once past the entrance signage and down a short trail to the sand of the beach, simply shuck your clothes . . . you are legally-nude now and the wide open expanses of Collins Beach are yours to roam without fear or worry.

Brisk temperatures but not too bad when you are moving.

I was surprised at the amount of beach showing at this time of year.  Water levels in the Columbia River are at typical low summer rates (plus a low tide).  I suspect that with spring snow melt the river's flow will go up but right now the entire length and width of the beach is accessible.  The beach is in pretty good shape with very little litter.  Kudos to the cleanup crews of both AANR and ORCOBA.

No one on the beach right now (except myself).  I follow a set of dog prints followed by an owner boot prints.  In cooler months it seems that Collins is mainly used by the dog walkers but for those who can enjoy a cold weather nude stroll, Collins should always be on their agenda (if for no other reason than to continue claim and presence of nude recreation on this beach).  Later on during my return stroll I actually had an encounter with dog walkers and they were taken back.  I bemusedly informed them they were on a nude beach and what did they expect.  They turned around and headed back the way they came.  So what.  This is my beach and I intend to lay presence whenever I can.

A freighter's lifeboat deposited into the woods behind the beach
during some long-forgotten storm.

Long-weather-deteriorated breakwaters make for interesting
perspective images. 

Lots of interesting things to see on the beach and on the shallow, sandy bluffs above.  The sand is difficult to walk on in anything less than bare feet.  On the flip side this is wintertime and the sand and water are decidedly cold to bare skin.  The hiking shoes stay on.  Walking closer to the waterline is easier as the sand is packed tighter.

Past the remains of the breakwaters is the part of the beach normally favored by gays . . . Entrance # 2 where I came in at favored as more family-friendly.  The dog tracks continue north without a matching returning set . . . I wonder if I'll run into the owner of that dog eventually.

The end of the nude beach . . .

... and the flip side of that sign inviting everyone to get nude and enjoy.

As I said earlier . . . I ran into an elderly couple walking their dog on the beach.  I guess I surprised them, they not expecting to see anyone nude on a nude beach (really?).  They abruptly turned around and headed back toward the adjacent textile beach from whence they had come.  Sorry to ruin your day folks.

I only had the one day to roam about.  Rooster Rock State Park was next to visit.

Rooster Rock State Park is located east of Portland . . . again, on Hwy 30/84 just past Troutdale.  The eastern section of the park is legally-designated as a clothing-optional beach and there are a lot of nude hiking opportunities and beach areas to be enjoyed.  Sand Island (within the clothing-optional area) shows vast, wide areas of soft sand during the summer months.  The usage fee for the park is $5 for the day . . . from there, drive east (right) to the very end of the parking lot and take the stairs or ramp down past the sign to the clothing-optional area.  The views of the Columbia River Gorge are worth the visit all on their own.

I was just about ready to head on down when it started drizzling with dark thunderclouds coming in.  I decided against going further as most of the trails, beach and Sand Island are inundated this time of year.  I did notice a few brave souls come and go, though.

Article: Strange and Secret Places on the Oregon Coast

Note:  Clothing-optional opportunities on the Oregon coast (especially Hobbit Trail-read further below)?  Rick

Originally published in the Oregon Coast Archives, Apr 7th, 2011

Published March 07

Stairway of 1000 steps at Short Beach

(Oregon Coast) - Oregon's coast is a different animal than the rest of this placid and pristine state. The area is rugged and battered by wind and rain, but it cloisters a load of pleasures and aspects not always obvious. Especially in the springtime, it's a mishmash of weather conditions, amenities you can't find at any other time, places to see with their own identity in this season, and wild, natural wonders to encounter.

In fact, it's recently become nicknamed the "Secret Season," or "Secret Spring."

However, at any time of year, there are places tucked away that will knock your socks off. Off the beaten path of 101, or perhaps even hidden in plain sight, these unusual beach spots are waiting to jolt the explorer with a bundle of features and facets that can create a kind of beach addiction. Once you find one of these strange and secret places, you’ll want to search for more.

Short Beach and its blob

Short Beach, Near Oceanside

One of the state's most enthralling hidden spots lies right next to Oceanside, just west of Tillamook. Look for Radar Rd. along the back road between Oceanside and Cape Meares, and you'll find the refurbished entrance to this stunning beach. Until recent years, the way down here was precarious and slippery, causing many injuries. But locals got together and created a "stairway of 1000 steps," which is heavy breathing-inducing in no time, especially on the climb up, but a heck of a lot nicer than cracking your skull (which a few tourists literally did before this was built).

First, you'll find the bulbous blob at the tide line, resembling the sea stack at Neskowin to the south. Wander here a bit longer, and you may see the waterfall coming from the side of the cliff, which hosts the lighthouse.

Legends abound here. It's said that at extreme low tides, there is yet another tunnel visible (like the one through the cliff in Oceanside). One version of the legend says there may be two tunnels here.

Secret Lincoln City Access

In a town where the beaches are all easily accessed and usually quite populated, there are virtually no hidden spots. But there is one deliciously, extremely clandestine beach access at the northern end of town - even if it doesn't necessarily guarantee you'll find yourself alone on this stretch of sand.

At the very northern end of town, between the casino and Road's End State Park, look for the sign pointing to NW 50th amidst the placid neighborhoods. Follow that to its end, where it meets NW Jetty, and you'll find an abandoned gravel "driveway" which winds its way down to the beach. Along the way, there's another tunnel-like path that looks a little like the famed Hobbitt Trail (see this article), although that doesn't seem to lead anywhere.

Down on the beach, it's the only access for about half a mile in either direction. There are some interesting rock features here created by a crumbling cliff, and the sand is pristine and more than a little pleasant.

Near Short Sand Beach (Manzanita)

Just a few files north of Manzanita, you'll find Oswald West State Park. But somewhere between that town and the state park, it's impossible to miss the striking vistas of Short Sand Beach (not to be confused with Short Beach, above) and the cliffs that form half of this crescent-shaped cove.

Pull over on one of the gravel parking spots off the side of the road, and there's the one-mile-plus hiking trail heading down to Short Sand. Walk down this trail a bit, veer to the left - instead of going down to Short Sand - and you'll encounter a totally different set of inclines and cliffs. Giant basalt structures form the various headlands here, with craggy shapes jutting up from the ocean and bundling together.

In one area, the sea boils and tumbles against a hidden cove, with black, jagged spires forming something akin to a creepy, post-apocalyptic cathedral (sort of reminiscent of the "Planet of the Apes" films). Another spot visible from these dangerous cliffs showcases more of the jagged shapes, this time with enormous holes and arches in them. Through these, you can see other headlands to the north.

Be extremely careful here, however. The drop-offs here are sudden and deadly. In fact, it was near here where a famed Hollywood writer and producer – the creator of “COPS” - died a few years ago, after falling off a cliff.

Hug Point

A few miles south of Cannon Beach you'll find Hug Point. A waterfall, several sea caves and a raised, grotto-like tide pool within another cave are all just a precursor to one of the coast's most fascinating spots. Not to mention that always-engaging remnant of a road going around the rocky point.

As you first enter, you'll spot the waterfall immediately to the south of you and a large sea cave. Inside, it's mostly debris and cobblestones, but there are strangely shaped cracks and shapes meandering into its far end. You can wander a little ways inside, and if you look closely you may spot one of the creepy, alien-looking insects that inhabit the large cracks.

On the southern end of this beach there's a point that's normally not crossable unless the tide is sufficiently low enough. In such a case, you'll find another cove and another sea cave. There are more rock slabs to play around on, many of which are surrounded by rich tide pools.

Hobbit Trail

It's so named because the eerie tunnel-like earthen walls that surround you at certain points upon your descent. But it's a place sometimes favored by creative-types from the Eugene area who often construct wildly imaginative structures from the natural objects lying around, like amazing gardens of rocks, things you might find in Japanese gardens, strange rune-like figures from stones or whimsical carvings in the sandstone.

Or maybe is it occupied by gnomes who scurry away from their constructions upon the approach of any human being?

It’s also the coast’s closest answer to a nude beach, where the privacy often afforded here allows some of the more underground culture folk from the valley (OK, we mean the hippies) to trot around au naturelle.

You can find this hard-to-spot trailhead about two miles south of Washburne State Park. There's a breathtaking trail from here that meanders a little over a mile through forestland and the occasional stunning viewpoint, eventually twisting and switching back periodically to wind up in back of the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Shirley's Oregon Coast Nude Hike

Nude hiking in Oregon is at best challenging. Not because you can’t find a great location but because the weather discourages it. I am a warm weather hiker and it had been awhile since experiencing the joy and freedom of a nude hike. Rick's postings about nude hikes motivate and encourage me. Good gosh Rick hikes in the snow.

The coast is only about an 80-minute drive from my house. The old RV was cooperating in that it started without hesitation. The RV Park with cheap rates that I love is a 12-minute walk to the beach. On a previous trip I accidently found a very large BLM land park. Previously the park was enjoyed by ATV’ers and recently it appears any motorized vehicles are not allowed. I don’t own one nor do I want one but if I did this would be a perfect place to ride one. Now that the area is off limits to ATV’s it appears to get little use. The only sign at this park is one that says “no motorized vehicles allowed.” It would be a perfect place to set aside for nude use.

So around 10 am I entered the park and kept my eyes open for footprints in the sand. The only ones I spotted were a set of human and dog prints going in and returning out. So I felt fairly secure that I had the park to myself. I have only been able to find one entrance. No one was using the small space available for parking.. I believe that only the locals use this park as most people prefer to be on the beach.

I was able to spend almost two hours nude hiking. It was if the sun decided to give me a gift. The sand dunes blocked the coast wind and it was wonderful. Every once in awhile I would be at the top of a dune and the wind was strong and chilly. The silence of being there was a gift in itself. The blue sky and sunshine were like an added gift that I did not take for granted. I wish I had the skill Rick has at take pictues.

I own (lifetime lease) a RV site at the http://www.Willamettans.com and use it a lot in the winter. But come this time of the year I long for nude camping in the mountains, hiking the trails, and ending the day soaking in some hot springs. This hike will be added to the top of my favorite list. Such a visual joy and gift.

Incredible that there is a place in Oregon where one can be nude, hike and be alone. One of Oregon's treasures for sure. I hike a lot in the national forest but this hike is one of my favorites.. no people, no dogs, no noise and no litter.

Shirley

What a beautiful area . . . you make me jealous, Shirley.  We are going to have to hike it together . . . prior to those promised hot springs trips we've been planning all these years.    Shirley has permitted me to publish the pictures of her adventure.  You can experience her hike here in a Photo Album I've set aside just for Shirley.

Rick

Bagby Hot Springs (A Photo Treat): Construction of the Bagby bathhouses in 1983-86

From Mike Rysavy: A treat on the history of Bagby Hot Springs.

As some may know, Bagby has recently been threatened with being turned over to a private concessionaire as well as threats to enforce the No Nudity rules of the Forest Service.  These two issues are still under consideration with both AANR and TNS involved.  For the meantime, reports are that the Forest Service has no intention of citing bathers for mere, simple nudity at the hot springs . . . that these rules were meant for developed sites like the campgrounds.

Meanwhile, enjoy these photo albums that Mike has graciously put together and shared.

Open publication - Free publishing - More oregon

Open publication - Free publishing - More oregon

Open publication - Free publishing - More oregon

Open publication - Free publishing - More oregon


A similar treatment of the construction at Scenic Hot Springs can be found at here.

Bagby Hot Springs, AANR-NW eNews Alert

January 18 Open House Input requested concerning proposed management changes at Bagby Hot Springs

The U.S. Forest Service is hosting an open house on Tuesday, January 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the national forest headquarters in Sandy, Oregon (see directions in final paragraph). The purpose of the event is to host discussion on allowing private management of Bagby Hot Springs and a number of campgrounds in the Mount Hood National Forest. The Forest Service already put out the bid information and, although two management companies showed interested, no bids were received. The bid process, if completed, would add Bagby and 28 campgrounds and day-use areas to a concession permit that already covers three dozen recreation sites. Increasingly, as Forest Service personnel budgets have shrunken, private management has been looked at and contracts in other areas (including the Willamette National Forest) have been awarded.

An environmental assessment evidently will be completed before Bagby and the campgrounds will be included in a concession permit. A public letter was issued by the Forest Service saying they are doing an Environmental Analysis (EA) regarding the possibility of a concessionaire at Bagby, and there will be a 30-day comment period soon for written public input. Here is a part of that 1 1/4-page 

letter:

"The Developed Recreation Site Concessionaire Permit Environmental Assessment (EA) is still in the process of being completed and no decision has been made yet. The Forest is requesting your comments on this project to help guide the final decision. Upon completion of the EA, there will be no further public comment period. As such, this 30-day comment period represents the final pre-decisional opportunity for public review of the project. Comments must be received or postmarked within 30 days of the date that notice for this comment period is published in The Oregonian."

The Forest Service is also apparently seeking some public input on Bagby at this open house. If you choose to attend, and are allowed to speak, please identify yourself as a nudist, be civil, keep your speech short and on-target. Our position is that simple nudity in and around the hot tubs, absent any other type of illegal conduct, is a long-time tradition at Bagby Hot Springs and should be allowed. We also intend to request and submit written comment during the 30-day period.

During a recent meeting of an AANR Government Affairs representative with Mount Hood Forest Supervisor Andrei Rykoff concerning Bagby, Rykoff stated that the existing anti-nudity order could only be changed by doing an EA. Perhaps the new Assessment could revisit the prior anti-nudity Order. At the very least, this will be an opportunity to make a strong statement that the 1992 anti-nudity Order is unnecessary and needs to be changed. Also, it should be emphasized that a major reason the Forest Service is not getting comments to change the Order is that most of the public still don't know about it.

Here is the Forest Service site with some information on what is proposed to happen concerning concessionaires at Bagby and other locations: 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/projects/nepa_project.shtml?project=32471

Update on Bagby Hot Springs physical site: Ranger Rykoff stated in the recent meeting that the old log tubs had been degrading for quite a while and the Forest Service had decided to replace them. The Forest Service installed a new round tub and one ofuro 2- or 3-person oval tub on the lower deck before winter weather set in. They will be installing two more ofuro tubs on the lower deck this year, to replace the three old log tubs.

Please consider coming to this open house if you care about allowing nudity at the Bagby Hot Springs area.

The Forest Service headquarters is located at16400 Champion Way in Sandy, Oregon. The headquarters is the first building on the right (coming from the west), about 300 yards before you reach the first stoplight west of Sandy. If you miss the turn off, you can turn right at the light and loop around on back roads to get there. 

Bagby Hot Springs, NAC Action Alert

**********************************************************************
                     NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
                           ACTION ALERT
**********************************************************************
                   http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2011 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE   : January 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Oregon - Bagby Hot Springs
TO     : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee is asking for your immediate involvement and action on behalf of Bagby Hot Springs in Oregon. Bagby is a popular and traditional clothing-optional site on public land in Mount Hood National Forest.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE IS PROPOSING PRIVATIZATION OF BAGBY HOT SPRINGS

The Forest Service managers at Mount Hood National Forest have already taken significant steps that have changed the traditional character of Bagby Hot Springs. Without advance public notice, Forest Service personnel have removed the historic wooden tubs from the bath house at Bagby and have destroyed the tub materials by chopping them up and burning them. New tubs have been installed. The new tubs lack the leaks of the old ones, but they also lack the character and history.

The Forest Service management at Mount Hood has also prohibited nudity in the large common area of the Bagby bath house. Nudity is allowed now only behind the closed doors of rooms with smaller tubs.

The action is part of the Forest Service's preparation for finding a private concessionaire to operate Bagby.

NAC ASKS FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION

The Naturist Action Committee is requesting that you
  1) attend an open house that's being presented by the Forest Service
     AND
  2) write to the Forest Service to express your concern

ACTION 1: ATTEND THE FOREST SERVICE 'OPEN HOUSE' ON JANUARY 18

If you're anywhere in the area of Mount Hood National Forest, NAC asks you to attend a public open house at Forest Service headquarters on January 18, 2011.

  DATE: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
  TIME: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m
  LOCATION:
  Mount Hood Nat'l Forest Headquarters
  16400 Champion Way
  Sandy, OR 97055

If you're planning to attend the meeting, please contact:
  NAC board member Don Zirbel
  orcoba@live.com
  (503) 970-6674

or NAC executive director Bob Morton
  execdir@naturistaction.org
  (512) 282-6621

ACTION 2: WRITE TO THE FOREST SERVICE

Whether or not you're able to attend the meeting, you can still help. NAC asks that you write to the Forest Supervisor at Mount Hood National Forest. Send your comments by e-mail, fax or surface mail. Those who will be at the open house on January 18 are also encouraged to write.

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is asking ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact the Forest Service, regardless of your place of residence. National Forests belong to all citizens.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail. Phone calls will likely be ineffective in this specific context.

   Acting Forest Supervisor Kathryn Silverman
   Mount Hood Nat'l Forest
   16400 Champion Way
   Sandy, OR 97055
   E-MAIL: ksilverman@fs.fed.us
   FAX: (503) 668-1794

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:

      NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:

      bagby@naturistaction.org

WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?

When you write:

   a) Be polite.

   b) Be known. Give your name and address. If you are a frequent visitor to National Forests, be sure to point that out. Anonymous letters have very little impact.

   c) Be focused. Keep your correspondence brief and on target.

   d) Be productive. You may certainly express your indignation over the poor decisions made by the Forest Service concerning Bagby Hot Springs and the abrupt and destructive change to the tradition of benign nude use there. Who could blame you for being upset? However, you must do more than simply scold and complain. You must point out that the Forest Service has the opportunity and responsibility to manage FOR the historic and traditional clothing-optional use of Bagby Hot Springs.

   e) Be part of the solution. Volunteers and activist groups, including the Naturist Action Committee, have expressed a strong interest in working WITH the Forest Service for the benefit of the public and the preservation of treasures like Bagby Hot Springs. When the Forest Service ignores help from volunteer groups and fails to keep them informed, it squanders a valuable resource. Emphasize the value of involving the public in the care of public land.

   f) Be clear. Say that you OPPOSE the notion of privatizing Bagby.

Additional writing points:

   a) The destruction of the historic tubs at Bagby Hot Springs is just the most visible indicator of the intent to change the traditional nature of Bagby without seeking public input. Despite specific requests to be included in considerations at Bagby, individual volunteers and interested parties like the Northwest Forest Conservancy and the Naturist Action Committee were ignored. That's simply NOT a proper way to manage a public resource.

   b) The changes to the traditional configuration of the bath house and the nudity restrictions there are a slap in the face to naturists and others who understand that nude soaking is the historically authentic way of enjoying Bagby and many other natural hot springs.

   c) Like most individuals and other government agencies, officials of the Forest Service are presently faced with funding shortfalls. Shedding areas and features and assigning them to private operators may seem like an attractive solution, but it creates a long term policy that shortchanges the public and is not likely to be undone when economic hard times abate.

   d) Visitors to Bagby already pay for parking, and the reality is that the Forest Service is not likely to give up that revenue. A private operator will have to charge an additional fee to justify its own effort. A concessionaire will likely choose not to keep Bagby open during less profitable night time hours. Suddenly, a public treasure like Bagby becomes less affordable and less accessible.

   e) The Forest Service has already sought private bidders to operate Bagby. One of those that was expected to bid has said that it's not interested AT THIS TIME. That changes very little about the concern over the lack of public notice and diminished opportunities for public involvement.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

   http:// www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is the volunteer nonprofit political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. Fighting for the clothing-optional recreational use of public land is expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you.

After you've contacted the officials on the list, please take a moment to send a donation to:

   NAC
   PO Box 132
   Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation:  http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Don Zirbel
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton       - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Don Zirbel         - orcoba@live.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick  - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------



Note:  See Also http://nudehiker.blogspot.com/2009/10/bagby-hot-springs-letter-to-acting.html   Rick

Fall Creek Nude Hike (from a reader)

I do like to hear reports from other people who enjoy being natural in nature so it was a pleasant moment to enjoy reading Shirley's report on a nude hike along Fall Creek near Eugene, Oregon.  I was even more plesantly surprised when she gave permission to post her report along with the photos.  As Shirley declares in her email . . . the hike make her 'top ten hike list' and I know exactly what she is feeling.  I thank you for sharing, Shirley.  I, too, love that picture of the morning fog.      Rick


Shirley's Fall Creek Nude Hike Report

Hearing that the weather was going to be in the 80’s I decided to try and steal another nude camping/hiking weekend.  I figured with schools having started the forests would be empty and hunters most likely not target practicing yet.

Arrived at an undeveloped campsite in the Fall Creek area outside Eugene/Springfield around 5 pm on Friday evening.  This location was a previous interpretive site used by schools in the past.  After a forest fire the place has seen no interpretive class type use that I could tell.  The paved parking area and fire pit left by previous users worked perfect for nude camping.

A full moon that weekend provided a spooky like evening ambience.  I almost expected “Big Foot” to walk up and ask for a cup of coffee. 

Oregon Fog

Woke up early Saturday morning to Oregon fog that only added to the experience.  Once the sun broke through the fog and I thought the trail would be drier I headed out for a hike.  Actually enjoyed a pot of coffee while using the “dry the trail” for an excuse to start later.  Usually I start a hike as early as possible so that I can assure myself that it is safe to hike nude.  So little traffic in the area had me feeling comfortable to hike/camp nude. 

I started my hike going up stream from a near by bridge.  At the bridge the trail crosses over the road to go down stream.  I have always wanted to check out some skinny dipping locations on Fall Creek so hiking the trail gave me a great opportunity to do so.  A portion of the hike was on an old road no longer used close to the river.   Left over fire pits from previous user groups shows that this area is a popular place.  Pleasantly surprised that I did not find any garbage or litter.  The trail is well used naturally maintained.

I hiked to a campground that has been closed for the winter months.  This past summer I only camped at a USFS campground one time this summer, as I am always able to find undeveloped sites for privacy.  Yes…I do feel like RV camping is not exactly “camping” so to speak.  J

Once at the campground I used an alternative trail to return to the bridge and cross the river to hike down stream.  There was one car parked at the bridge so I was more cautious about listening for noise. 

Hiking downstream I was no longer in the previously burned area.  What a drastic change.  Immediately I found myself in beautiful moss covered old growth trees and the trail decorated with ferns.  This trail is one of the most beautiful I have ever hiked.  Simply indescribable!  The trail is close to the river and the road on the right. 

Within minutes I could hear squealing and laughter that only a group of teenage girls make.  What a surprise to see them all on rocks jumping in the river and swimming.  Only kids swim in Oregon in late Sept.  The suits they were wearing did not seem to distract them from having a wonderful time.  I doubt they ever spotted me on the trail.

A short time later two men were fishing and if not for their dog would never have noticed me.  I had heard the dog and put on my long t-shirt.  They were friendly and I think one may have been nude previous to hearing me on the trail and the dog barking.

My intent was to hike to the first campground I came to.  I later made a decision to return back before reaching it.  The interesting thing about hiking trails is that returning back on the same trail and seeing it from a different direction is like hiking a new trail.

Interesting enough pretty much the only litter I found was close to where I had parked the RV.  Interesting litter in that it made it into my fridge.  A full unopened can of coke and two unopened cans of tomato juice with spicey flavoring!

Fall colors had started to change but not quite worthy yet of making a trip for fall color change only.

I love Oregon old growth forests and nude hiking!

Thank You Shirley and Mountaindale Resort

A great Rooster Rock-Sauvies Island Clean Up Event and I sincerely thank Shirley and the great hosts at Mountaindale Resort near Portland, Oregon for getting me out and interacting with my friends once more.

I will post more about the clean up later but I first want to share the images from a few recent hikes I have managed to get in . . . along with the very few images I took during the Annual Cleanup event . . . day one at Rooster Rock where we moved tons of sand to fill in trails and buttress erosion on the beach, to a great reception and dinner at Mountaindale Resort, and finally to a sun-drenched day on Collins Beach serving up hot dogs and information of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Again, thank you.  Here's the link to the JAlbums:  Recent Nude Hikes


Meanwhile, Hike On . . . Nude, of Course

Rooster Rock & Sauvies Polar Bare Dash & Splash 5K Run

From Mark with the Rooster-Sauvie Volunteers, as posted in the AANR-NW eNews

The Rooster-Sauvie Volunteers invite you to welcome the Nude Year by running, screaming and jumping into the Columbia river with us!

Polar Bare Dash & Splash 5K Run 
Friday, January 1, 2010
Collins Beach, Sauvie Island at Noon

On Friday, January 1st, the Rooster Sauvie Volunteers will meet at Collins Beach on Sauvie Island. There will be a 5K run at noon, followed by a Bare Buns jump into the river.

Not a runner? No worries! You can choose to just to the skinny dip, or the run, or both!

Go to www.barefootbeachruns.com for more details.

Rooster Rock Polar Bare 5K Run & Plunge
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Rooster Rock Park at Noon

Sign-in starts at 10:30. As with the Collins event, you can choose to run, polar dip, or both! For full details, go to www.barefootbeachruns.com

These events help us promote a safe, family-friendly environment at both of Portland's nude beaches.

Collins Beach on Sauvie Island
A parking slip must be purchased and displayed in your vehicle. The perits can be had at the Cracker Barrel Store on Sauvie Island or the 7-11 just before you cross over to the island.

Rooster Rock State Park Clothing Optional Area
Purchase a parking permit as you enter the park, and then proceed right to the end of the parking area where the clothing optional area begins.


View Collins & Rooster Rock routes in a larger map

Against nudity ban, Ore. gallery takes it all off

(AP) Online retrieval Dec 19th, 2009

ASHLAND, Ore. — A city council member in an Oregon town noted for its Shakespeare festival and its occasional dustups over public nudity plans a showing in his art gallery of nude portraits and conceptual art involving naked people.

For gallery-goers as well, clothing will be optional — even though it's winter in Ashland, a small college town on the California border

Council member Eric Navickas is opposed to a possible ban on public nudity in the town. Nudity is legal in Ashland, except in the city center and public parks, where people are required to cover their genitals.

"We feel that the nude ban is not only an attack on freedom of expression but also an attack on the human body itself," Navickas said. "We wanted to have a show to celebrate the nude body and differentiate the nude body from anything indecent."

The ban was proposed after two men were spotted walking naked near schools. The council is to vote next month on the issue.

Navickas said he is willing to compromise and ban nudity within 200 feet of school zones. His partner, Amy Godard, said the two are interested in dialogue not controversy.

"It's not like we're trying to polarize anything," she said. "We're trying to pay homage to the nude, which is a strong tradition in the arts."

Open about a year, the gallery made news early on with an exhibit that allowed patrons to pitch paint-covered shoes at a large portrait of former President George W. Bush. The gallery owners called it a "statement of solidarity" with an Iraqi journalist arrested after throwing shoes at him.

The nudity exhibit is scheduled Jan. 29 to Feb. 5, Godard said, and patrons may participate by baring themselves.

"We'll have heaters going," she said. "I know it's at the end of January, but it will be warm in there."

Information from: The Ashland Daily Tidings, http://www.dailytidings.com

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Fair Use Provisions Invoked

The current Ashland Nudity Ordinance

"10.44.012 Public Nudity

It is unlawful for any person to expose his or her genitalia while in the C-1-D (Downtown Commercial) zone or in a public park. This provision is not intended to apply to a person who is prepubescent or who has taken steps to create an envelope of privacy upon their own property and the nudity occurs within that envelope. (ORD 2908 2004)"

Google Map of Ashland Plaza MAda Shell Gallery is located on the Plaza in Ashland Oregon, between Hong Kong Bar and Alex's.