Hiking with the Mazamas and AYM

If you’re new to hiking with the Mazamas, here’s a few ground rules to keep in mind which will make your experience more enjoyable:

All Mazama hikes are open to all members and non-members alike.
Advance reservations are not necessary for hikes or other events unless otherwise noted. Just show up 10-15 minutes before the listed departure time and you’re in!
Unless listed otherwise, hike fees are $2 for Mazama members and $3 for non-members.

Find a hike suitable for your fitness and experience level. The Mazamas offer hikes at all levels of difficulty. After many events you’ll see hieroglyphics of the form: X>Y^Dr-Z. To decipher: X is the round-trip mileage, Y is the elevation gain, and Z is the round-trip driving distance to the trailhead. You can use the first two to determine the level of difficulty. If you’re not sure of your capabilities, it’s probably best to choose a hike that’s easier than you think you can do. Start easy and gradually work your way up to harder outings.

Be prompt. Mazama hikes generally leave on time from meeting areas! Unless otherwise noted, all times listed are departure times. Please be courteous and don’t make others wait on you! Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early, sign in with the leader, pay the trip fees, team up with other folks for carpooling and be ready to go at the listed time. A donation for gas to the driver is best arranged at the start of the day. Note that some carpool meeting areas are popular with other hiking groups as well, so be sure you’re on board with the correct group. The leader will provide directions on how to reach the trailhead. Maps to Mazama carpool areas...

Bring proper clothing, food and gear. Proper clothing means synthetics, polypro, fleece, wool – materials that will stay warm if they get wet. Cotton is not a good idea (no jeans!) particularly in the rainy season as it loses all insulating value when it gets wet. Please carry raingear and an extra layer or two with you in all seasons. The weather can change quickly in the Pacific NW and often the weather in the mountains can be very different from that in town. In the summer months, running shoes may work for many trails, but in the winter, waterproof footwear will keep you a lot warmer. Keep in mind that leaders may turn away anyone who isn’t properly dressed or equipped for the safety of the group. In the winter it’s also nice to leave a change of dry clothes & comfy shoes back at the car - and a large plastic bag to put wet muddy gear in post-hike (which can keep your drivers happy too). Bring a lunch, snackage for yourself, at least two liters of water and as many of the “Ten Essentials” as you have. Group treats (optional) are appreciated by all and are a good way to thank your volunteer leaders.

In general, the “Ten Essentials” are:

extra clothing (extra layers, warm hat & gloves, extra socks)
sun protection (sunscreen, hat with brim)
extra food (snack bar, munchies)
topographic map of your area
first aid kit
headlamp or flashlight
pocket knife
compass
fire-starter or waterproof matches
emergency whistle

Also for folks determined to be on top of everything, here’s a comprehensive gear list. Please note you do NOT need to bring all of these items on every Mazama hike. This list has been put together to raise awareness of situations and conditions you may encounter while out on the trail and is about thinking ahead to ensure safety and comfort.

Dog-Friendly Hikes
No pets are permitted on Mazama events unless the event is specifically listed as being dog-friendly.

For all events where dogs are permitted, the owners are expected to keep their dogs on leash and under control at all times. Owners must follow any instructions given to them by the event leader regarding their pets. Hostile or aggressive dogs are not welcome on Mazama events.

All dogs must be properly vaccinated, collared and have personal ID / vaccination tags.
Dogs are not permitted off-leash at any point on Mazama events.
Dog owners must be aware and respectful of the rest of the group and of other trail users. Some individuals are not comfortable around dogs or may be intimidated by them. Other trail users have the right of way and should be given plenty of space to get by.
Owners will maintain control of enthusiastic and/or barking dogs.
Dog owners should bring extra water for their pup - and must clean up after their pets & “pack it out” if so warranted.

Biking Gear
All riders must wear helmets and carry a spare tube/patch kit. If you’re planning to bring a hybrid or mountain bike to a road bike event, please let the leader know ahead of time. Suggested gear: Ten Essentials, bike gloves, sunglasses, bright/reflective clothing, snackage, water. Appropriate lights are required for evening/night rides.

Caving / Spelunking
Helmets will be worn at all times within the cave (unlike climbs, bike helmets are okay). Bring three sources of light; one of which should ideally be a headlamp. Keyring LEDs and glowsticks all work great as backup light sources. Please check your lights before the trip to ensure they’re in working order, and – if applicable - bring an extra set of batteries & bulb. Candle or gas-lanterns are not permitted on Mazama caving events; check with us first on carbide lamps. Caves are generally dank, dirty, dripping, and chilly: wear old clothes you don’t care about over polypro. Bring old boots and leather gloves (cheapo gardening gloves work great) as lava caves can be pretty rugged. Knee/elbow pads & neoprene socks are not required, but can increase your cave comfort. Also please bring a large garbage bag to stow all your dirty cave-wear & boots post-trip - and a change of clothes for the ride home. Contact the trip leader if you have any questions or if you need something; usually we have a few extra helmets available. Please practice responsible caving and leave no trace.

Water Events
AYM occasionally offers water events (e.g. sea kayaking, white water rafting) through a third-party guide service. Suggested gear: synthetic clothing/swimsuit, extra layer or two, water shoes, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, rest of Ten Essentials, snackage, water. Some guides may have dry bags available for use, but if not, lining your pack with a tied garbage bag is an easy way to keep your stuff dry. Bring a change of clothes & shoes for the ride home.

Rock Climbing
AYM occasionally leads trips to Smith Rock and to other local crags such as Rooster Rock, Rocky Butte or up the pinnacle at Indian Point. The leader will send a detailed prospectus to participants on what to bring. Participants are expected to bring their own climbing helmet, harness and additional gear. Helmets must be worn at all times while within the climbing area. All anchors will be checked by a current Mazama climb leader who is also a graduate of the Advanced Rock class.

Overnight Trips
Leaders will typically provide a detailed prospectus for overnight trips (e.g. backpacks, hike/car-camps, ski/snowshoe packs). The prospectus will contain the general battleplan for the trip - including driving directions, carpooling information and the gear that will be required. Leaders may request a fee from participants up front to hold their spot. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the event leader.

Mazama Event Rules

Participation is at your own risk. The Mazamas assume no liability for accidents or incidents. In the event of an accident, illness or other incapacity, a participant will pay for his/her own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not he/she has specifically authorized them.
Leaders may refuse participation to anyone who they feel is unqualified or unprepared.
Firearms, weapons, alcohol and radios (other than ham radio transmitters, two-way radios or weather radios) are not permitted on activities.
No one will be permitted on an activity who has taken or used substances (including medication) which may impair performance or judgement.
Any participant who engages in behavior which would endanger the group or who is unable/unwilling to follow Mazama rules may be signed off the trip. This may occur at the activity leader’s discretion.
All wilderness regulations will be followed as applicable. There is a maximum size of twelve persons in designated wilderness areas.
Please be courteous to others and turn cellphones/pagers off while participating on events.
All participants shall carry out everything they carry in.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged; it’s safer, cheaper and more fun!
Participants under eighteen years of age must provide the activity leader with a written permission slip signed by a parent or guardian - or must be accompanied by a responsible adult who is not hte leader. Participants under the age of fifteen must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If the “responsible adult” should turn back, all participants he/she is responsible for must turn back as well.

Activities & Events

Hiking with the Mazamas and AYM

Mazama Event Rules