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JOHN SHIPE and
the SCAPEGOATS
ADAM COMER BAND
JC RICO and
ZULU DRAGON
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Dinning Room open 5 pm to 9 pm weeknights 10 pm weekends
MCDONALD THEATRE
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Kai Eckhardt VMaya Dorn
THUR
THIS FRIDAY
Travel & Recreation
Spa au naturel
Cougar Reservoir harbors
natural hot springs where
swimsuits are optional
By Ashley Griffin
Freelance Reporter
Located about two hours outside
Eugene, just east off Highway 126,
Cougar Reservoir offers the comforts
of a hot tub with one caveat:
Swimwear is entirely optional.
For the modest, the hot springs in
Blue River can be a slightly shocking
experience.
I lowever, this feeling is part of what
makes the trip unique to Oregon,
Outdoor Program Resource Room
Coordinator Ahsa Jensen said. Jensen
first visited the hot springs on a pro
gram trip but said the nudity didn't
make her uncomfortable.
Sophomore Matt Moore, who has
been to the hot springs six times, was
also prepared for the nudity. He said
it made for an interesting experience.
"I guess you just have to expect it,"
he said. "And it makes for funny sto
ries."
One of Moore's favorite stories
about the hot springs was when two
unknown men popped out of the
shadows and surprised their group.
"You should have seen their faces,"
he said. "He was harmless, but it was
just hilarious nonetheless."
The hot springs also give visitors
the chance to meet many different
personalities.
"The people are really friendly,"
Jensen said. "They are all into relax
ing and enjoying the natural envi
ronment."
Jensen said she enjoys going to the
hot springs because of the great at
mosphere.
"It's an awesome place to just sit
andrelax," she said.
Moore shared similar sentiments.
"It's always nice to go during the
cold winter and let your muscles re
lax," he said.
Unlike other hot springs, Cougar's
paths and changing facilities are
made to look like they are natural. A
small stream cascades into the four
steaming pools, cooling them. Flat
rocks surround each pool and are
great for leaning against or sitting on.
Jensen said recent renovations to the
hot springs were inclusive of nature
and don't detract from the natural
environment.
The springs are close enough to Eu
gene that one can make the trip in a
day, but far enough away to feel like a
vacation. In addition, they are rela
tively inexpensive.
"At a lot of other hot springs you
pay, like, 12 bucks for a half-hour,"
Jensen said. "These ones are free."
It takes about two hours to get to
Cougar Reservoir. From Eugene,
go east on Highway 126 tor about
50 miles. Just past the sign for the
Blue River Campground, watch for
the sign to Cougar Reservoir on the
right. Follow Forest Service Road 19
for 7.5 miles to the trailhead. The
reservoir dam is four miles from
the intersection of Highway 126
and Forest Service Road 19. At the
dam, turn right. Continue 3.5 miles
to a small lake on the right with a
waterfall at the far end. Just past
the lake, park in the area on the
left side of the road and walk
back to the north.
™ T-. ImIMH mH 1 mWm IS? i -*
The springs are about a 10-minute
hike into the woods, allowing for a pri
vate experience year-round. Other area
hot springs, like McCredie in Oakridge,
are located closer to the road.
"Simply put, it is the definition of
Oregon," Moore said. "The Cougar
Hot Springs are laid back, outdoors,
enjoyable and a great place to get
away for a couple hours."
Ashley Griffin is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
RAPID RIDES
Outdoor-enthusiasts with
a taste for water adventure
will love the scenery but
must also take precautions
By Catherine Ryan
Freelance Reporter
The McKenzie River's swirling,
frigid rapids take some unsuspecting
kayakers and rafters by surprise. The
bubbling water sometimes holds
those who attempt to kayak along its
banks upside down, fighting for
breath, leaving them with an intense
headache and the desire for more.
The river flows from the Cascade
Mountains, parallels Highway 126
and merges with the Willamette Riv
er near Springfield. It provides waves
for adrenaline junkies and breath
taking scenery for anyone who loves
the outdoors.
Business administration major
Macy Burnham, who also owns and
operates the outdoor kayaking
school River Quest, said the McKen
zie is an incredible river to learn on.
"From a beginner's standpoint, it's
an excellent river if you don't mind
getting cold," Burnham said. "It's
beautiful up there — crystal-clear
water. The scenery is stunning."
On most days, kayakers play in
the holes or float on a downriver
run. In March, the sunny weather
lured many paddlers into the 42-de
gree waters.
The river also has some of the best
play-boating in the region. Paddlers
practice flipping their kayaks side
ways, end-over-end and in circles.
Junior LJ Groth said he frequents
the wave hole at Neils Point.
"At Neils, you can do just about
any new trick that's possible," he
said. "You can practice for bigger
and better places."
The McKenzie also is a great river
for those who are less interested in
flipping their kayaks and more con
cerned with keeping the boat on the
top of the water. According to the
whitewater guidebook, "Soggy
Sneakers," most of the McKenzie is
rated a II-III. The accepted rapids rat
ing system is based on levels one to
five, with five being the most diffi
cult.
The classic "Milk Run," as some
locals call it, is a section of the
T55TOT
Dorris Ranch
20$ DorrisSt.. Springfield
May 8-Wild Teas
10:30—Noon
Lane County
Historical Museum ($)
740 W. 13th Avenue, Eugene
May 8—Photo Exhibit 8 Speaker
9AM-5PM: 2pm speaker
REFRESHMENTS 9AM-N00N
May 9-Photo Exhibit
Noon—5PM
Masonic Cemetery
25th Avenue 8 University Street,
Eugene
May 8-ioth Anniversary
Celebration
iiam—4PM
The Science Factory
Children’s Museum
and Planetarium ($)
Z300 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene
May 8 9-Scavenger Hunt
Noon—j^pm
Shelton-McMurphey
lohnson House
303 Willamette Street, Eugene
May 8-Tea ($)
(Reservations required)
May 9-Open House (FREE)
1—4PM
Springfield Museum
590 Main Street, Springfield
May 8—Heritage Day
N00H-4PM
UO Museum of Art
1430 lohnson
University Campus
May 8-Open House
1—4PM
Special Program d> ipm
UO Museum of
Natural History
1680 East 13th Avenue
University Campus
May 8—Identification Day
1-4PM
West Euyene Wetlands
Meadowlark Prairie Overlook
On Greenhill Road, Eugene
May 8-Bird Walk
7:00-9: OOAM
There's something to do
at low, medium and high
water levels.... There's
always something
fun to kayak on."
U Groth
University junior
McKenzie that is a class II-III.
"There's something to do at low,
medium and high water levels,"
Groth said. "There's always some
thing fun to kayak on."
The Milk Run includes Clover
Point, a class II rapid with a play
hole, and Marten Rapids, a class III.
"Rafters and kayakers alike find
themselves swimming at the end of
Marten Rapids," said Outdoor Pro
gram trip facility manager Ed Fre
dette. "It makes an impression."
All paddlers should be aware of
Brown's Hole, which is one of the most
notorious spots on the river. It may
look unassuming, but kayakers and
rafters can be held and recirculated in
Turn to RAPIDS, page 11