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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services West Medford neighbors welcome program to feed homeless, but want bathrooms added Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Boyfriend gets 20 years for abuse of toddler Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Boyfriend gets 20 years for abuse of toddler Pursuit of stolen car in Medford ends with crash, power outage Emergency services, March 19 Medford police add details on Tuesday fatal shooting Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals State News Are they decorations or desecration? The Dalles Standoff: Suicide by smoke inhalation Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon For the love of Lucas and Happy Oregon faces timeline on limiting hatchery salmon in river Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Cavemen edge Comets in opener Early exit for Colorado State at NIT Varsity 541 College Sports Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Early exit for Colorado State at NIT BSU loses heartbreaker Pro Sports Cavs pick up 14th straight at home Federer, Nadal, Murray reach quarters Wade, Heat rally to beat Blazers Knicks get surprise win over Spurs Serena in, Sharapova out at Indian Wells Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Three Cheers for Today! Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Letters to the Editor, March 19 Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick Editorials Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Letters to the Editor, March 15 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick George Will: Kasich waits in the wings Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Religion briefs A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Emergency Services ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon ... Emergency Services ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon ... DAY TRIPPIN' Day Trippin': A picnic lunch at a McCloud River waterfall Comment By David Smigelski Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By David Smigelski Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 9, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 6:37 PM By David Smigelski Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 9, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 6:37 PM --> You can be a travel writer Do you have a favorite destination or scenic drive that’s within a couple hours of the Rogue Valley? If so, email... » Read more X You can be a travel writer Do you have a favorite destination or scenic drive that’s within a couple hours of the Rogue Valley? If so, email us a 300- to 500-word story about it that includes directions, and send pictures if you have them, to Mail Tribune features editor David Smigelski at [email protected] . » Social News Editor's Note: Day Trippin' is a regular Monday feature that gives readers a chance to play tour guide and tell us about a nearby getaway. The sparkling water of the upper McCloud River spills like diamonds over Middle Falls as my wife, Nancy, and I lean back against a sun-warmed boulder and savor the flavor of a picnic we drove 100 miles to enjoy. Although we sometimes camp along this river in Northern California's Shasta-Trinity National Forest, it's close enough for a day trip when the hankering for waterfalls strikes, which happens more often than you'd think. We consider ourselves respectable hikers, willing and able to strap on packs and cover a dozen or more miles at a stretch, swithbacks be damned. But easy is nice too, and this is about as easy as hiking gets. The upper McCloud River Trail runs for roughly 12 miles through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The path dips in and out of woods full of pines, dogwood, alder, maple, cottonwood and willow, passing three picturesque waterfalls — Lower, Middle and Upper falls — and an old mill dam. But today we're not hiking 12 miles. We're strolling for about three miles, with a picnic break in the middle. We parked at Lower Falls, strapped on our daypacks and sauntered down the trail, which is mostly wide, mostly soft and about as flat as a riverside trail can be in mountain country. Lizards, ground squirrels and chipmunks scamper across the trail with regularity, and the air is alive with kingfishers, sparrows, towhees, tanagers, redwing blackbirds and warblers. Osprey and bald eagles are common overhead. The air in these woods is sweet enough to eat, scrubbed clean by the waterfalls and scented by pitch-filled conifers. About a mile or so from Lower Falls, we can hear the rumble of Middle Falls, and as many times as we've been here, the first glimpse of the 50-foot-tall cascade through the trees is always a thrill. At the base of Middle Falls, the trail takes a sharp turn left and switchbacks up the canyon wall to the Middle Falls overlook. If you go that way, views of Mount Shasta and the Castle Crags appear as you crest the trail, and in another mile or so, you'll come across Upper Falls. But we're not climbing that hillside today. We're stopping right here at the base of Middle Falls and spreading our feast on a table of riverside stone. Maybe a little catnap in the sun. On the way home, we're going to putter our way through a few shops in the cute little town of Mount Shasta, which we passed on the way here. Not a bad way to spend a day. To reach Lower Falls, take Interstate 5 south for about 87 miles to the third Mount Shasta City exit, which puts you on California State Route 89. Drive 5.5 miles past the town of McCloud and turn right at the sign for Fowler's Camp, then drive 1.2 miles to the Lower Falls parking area. Reach Mail Tribune features editor David Smigelski at [email protected] or 541-776-8784. By David Smigelski Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By David Smigelski Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 9, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 10, 2015 at 6:37 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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