Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services ... Ashland grapples with 'travelers' who say they're part of a counterculture movement ... Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... Emergency services ... Ashland grapples with 'travelers' who say they're part of a counterculture movement ... Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... LABOR DAY WEEKEND Go with the flow: 5 gravity-assisted outings for the end of summer 5 gravity-assisted outings for the end of summer Comment By David Smigelski By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By David Smigelski By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM By David Smigelski By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Besides being the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day is a national holiday paying homage to the working men and women who all too well understand how gravity makes the proverbial you-know-what flow downhill. That's why this Labor Day weekend provides a great opportunity to mix the two holiday themes into some signature Rogue Valley end-of-summer outdoor recreation pursuits. Here are five fun ways to go with the flow and actually make gravity work for us working stiffs for a change. 1. Emigrant Lake waterslide Labor Day marks the last day of the year that you can take advantage of your greater body mass to beat your kids in a race down the waterslides at Emigrant Lake County Park. The dueling slides are a summer go-to with kids during triple-digit August days, but nothing provides summer shivers better than standing on the waterslide stairs waiting for little kids in floatees to load up and cruise down the slide. The waterslides are open noon though 6 p.m. through the weekend, then they'll be buttoned up Monday evening until spring. Based on the weather, Sunday and Monday might be the best slip-sliding days because the air temperatures will creep up to the low 80s. 2. National Creek Falls National Creek Falls is a great destination for a Labor Day outing with the family. The drive isn't too far for little ones and the hike isn't too far for older ones. The half-mile trail passes old-growth Western hemlocks and Douglas firs as it switchbacks down to the base of the 80-foot falls. To reach the trail, take Highway 62 east from Medford to Union Creek, and then take Highway 230 north toward Diamond Lake. Near the Douglas County line, turn right on Forest Road 6530, also known as "County Line Road." Stay on Road 6530 for 1.3 miles, then bear left at a fork in the road to stay on 6530. Continue about 2.5 miles to a junction with Road 300. Turn right and drive to the trailhead. While you're in the neighborhood, you might as well head up to Crater Lake National Park and make it a trifecta, with visits to Vidae Falls and Plaikni Falls. 3. Zipline Flying down one of the five ziplines at Rogue Valley Zipline near Gold Hill has become something of a Southern Oregon bucket list adventure as well as a way to allow yourself an opportunity to scream in half-fear, half-elation. The park, now in its fifth year, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for guided zips on lines strung over an old gold-mining site. The firm also offers the Rogue Valley trifecta with a full-day zip, dip and sip tour that includes ziplining, whitewater rafting and a little day-drinking at a local winery. Rogue Valley Zipline is at 9450 Old Stage Road. To view the various packages and available dates, see rvzipline.com . 4. Downhill mountain bike Perhaps the longest and most aggressive use of gravity this Labor Day could be a fast bomb down Mount Ashland on a mountain bike. Ashland Mountain Adventures shuttles mountain bikers up to Mount Ashland for the rugged and occasionally sketchy descent down mountain trails and into downtown Ashland. Labor Day shuttles are schedule for 9 a.m. and noon, but a third could be added depending upon interest. For details, visit the company's website at http://ashmtnadv.com/ . 5. Float the Upper Rogue River The Rogue River is the signature feature of the Rogue Valley, but it's astonishing how many area residents — including lifers — haven't floated or otherwise boated the Rogue. Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of the summer recreation season, and it would be a pity to let it peter out river-less. The standard upper Rogue float is from Cole Rivers Hatchery to the city of Shady Cove, where several liveries will rent rafts, inflatable tahitis and even stand-up paddleboards for the trip. The raft-rental liveries will shuttle you up to the put-in and pick you up at the take-out. By David Smigelski By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By David Smigelski By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501