Author Archive
Mike Dickenson

For Miles and Miles: Ultrarunning in the Rogue Valley
The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. The Marathon Monks of Japan. The message carriers of the Incan Empire and those of the Iroquois Confederacy. These were some of the original ultrarunners, athletes who ran beyond limit and reason. Here in the Rogue Valley, the tradition continues. Most ultra-races have a minimum

GO HERE: Finding Falls at the Edge of Spring
As the snow begins to melt, our creeks and rivers start to swell. Take a little time to enjoy these nearby waterfalls during the first phase of springtime. Dead Indian Soda Springs: This remote swimming hole offers a perfect water slide in the Rogue National Forest. This beautiful spot earned

Racing from Top to Bottom: The Challenges of Ski Racing On and Off the Mountain
The snow is coming down hard as I load onto the Windsor chairlift. This has been a tremendous year for deep snow at Mount Ashland, and today is no exception. Beside me is a talkative young man with a ski jacket that reads MARA (Mount Ashland Racing Association). He, along

GO HERE: Romantic Views for the Wintertime
A romantic date doesn’t have to break the bank. Rather than spending your time indoors, take someone you love to one of the many romantic outposts in the surrounding area. Pilot Rock: This columnar basalt volcanic core has been a road marker to travelers for hundreds of years – so

GO HERE: Downhill and Backcountry Skiing
For skiers, January is a sweet spot. There are literally hundreds of miles of snow-covered mountainside in the area just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re wanting a chair to take you to the top of a ski run, or are willing to earn your turns, this winter is looking

Winter Outdoor Guide
OK, the holidays are over. Time to ditch the ugly Christmas sweaters and don a styling parka and enjoy the beautiful (and at times chilly) Great Outdoors. We can’t all be glacier climbers, but our Winter Outdoor Guide should provide some insight on outdoor winter pastimes that aren’t so treacherous

GO HERE: Off With the Flip Flops- Snowshoe Season is Here
With new reports of a La Niña forecast for Southern Oregon, things are looking good for winter sport enthusiasts (and farmers, of course). Snowshoeing is an inexpensive way to get out into the winter wilderness and avoid the crowds at the ski hill. Make sure to get acquainted with the
Pan, Pick, and Prod: Rock Hounding in Southern Oregon
There are plenty of opportunities for rock-hounds in Southern Oregon. Whether you’re a hardened miner or just a hobby gem seeker, a few guidelines will help ensure that your outing is a successful one. Obviously, get all your permits and passes set up beforehand. Check with relevant agencies to ensure
Fact and Fiction: Books About the Area
Authors have been writing about Oregon for some time now, and many a fiction novel is set in the green state—Goonies, Sometimes a Great Notion, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, to name just a few. Southern Oregon is the setting for a number of books in multiple genres, so
GO HERE: Hikes With a View
Snow-topped peaks and green valleys provide excellent eye-candy this time of year. Hikers (and painters and photographers) seeking a vantage point will be rewarded for their efforts. Southern Oregon offers plenty of spots for wide expansive views at the end of a good hike. Local go-tos include the ever