McKenzie River overnight fall foliage hikes
Come and join us for two different overnight trips to Belknap Hot Springs Resort with two day hikes on the McKenzie River  trail to enjoy the fall foliage. September 24 & 25th also October 5 & 6.  See schedule for more details.

Hiking Orientations
Free hiking orientations and slide shows. Learn about boots, pack water systems, etc. Bend Library August 5th 5-6:30pm.

First hike half price
Your first hike with the Silver Striders is half price $9 for inviduals and $18 for couples.
 
 
 
 
   
Levels Ratings

 
Hiking and Snowshoe Trip Rating Scales

Silver Striders Guide Service offers a variety of hiking and snowshoe trips that vary in the level of difficulty. Trips are classified in order of difficulty by two criteria: distance and elevation gain. The classification system makes it easier to find a trip suitable for your fitness and experience level. Harsh weather can add an extra level of difficulty. If you are not sure of your capabilities, it is best to choose a trip that is easier than you think you can do.


 
 
Hiking Scale

Easy
Between 2 & 4 miles; less than 150 feet elevation gain; slow pace. Good beginning hikes for people who:
  • Want to socialize
  • Are not in good physical condition
  • Have little or no experience hiking
  • Are older and find longer, more challenging trails too difficult now
  • Are interested in receiving a lot of naturalist information

Intermediate
Between 4 & 7 miles; less than 500 feet elevation gain; moderate pace. Good intermediate hikes for people who:
  • Want to socialize
  • Want to listen to some naturalist information
  • Have some experience hiking
  • Are in moderately good physical condition

Advanced
Between 7 & 10 miles; between 500 and 1,000 feet elevation gain, moderately fast pace. Good hikes for people who:
  • Want to walk moderately fast.
  • Are able to hike with few breaks
  • Naturalist information is less important
  • Want to get in a solid day of exercise
  • Are in good physical condition
  • Have significant experience hiking

     
Snowshoeing Scale

Snowshoe 101
1.5 miles or less; less than 100 feet elevation gain; slow pace. Good beginning snowshoe trips for people who:
  • Have little or no experience snowshoeing
  • Are interested in receiving a lot of snowshoe instruction

Easy
Between 1.5 & 2.75 miles; less than 150 feet elevation gain; slow pace. Good easy snowshoe trips for people who:
  • Want to socialize
  • Want to listen to some naturalist information
  • Have a little experience snowshoeing
  • Are not in good physical condition
  • Are older and find longer, more challenging trails too difficult now

Intermediate
Between 2.5 & 4.5 miles; less than 500 feet elevation gain; moderate pace. Good intermediate snowshoe trips for people who:
  • Want to socialize
  • Want to listen to some naturalist information
  • Have some experience snowshoeing
  • Are in moderately good physical condition

Advanced
Between 4.25 & 6 miles; over 500 feet elevation gain, moderately fast pace. Good snowshoe trips for people who:
  • Want to snowshoe moderately fast
  • Want to listen to a little naturalist information
  • Want to get in a solid day of exercise
  • Are in good physical condition
  • Have significant experience snowshoeing

 
 
If you are looking for a more rigorous outdoor experience, check out Cascades Mountaineers — a Central Oregon Mountaineering Club.
 
Silver Striders Guide Service
  Silver Striders Guide Service, central Oregon 
541-383-8077  
 strideon@silverstriders.com  
Illustrations:  Kristi Stone    |   Website:  Lynn Woodward Design