RUN OREGON FAQS
Why here?
Fresh mountain air, wild rivers, towering waterfalls, endless miles of quiet trails to discover and ohhhh, those magical old growth forests! Central Oregon is an outdoor mecca, and one of the top trail running areas in the country with astonishingly diverse landscapes on offer. This small group trip features epic, off-the-beaten track trail running, delicious meals, nonstop views and more than a few opportunities to kick back and soak it all in with a local brew in hand. If you’re looking to unplug, immerse yourself in the great outdoors and log some unforgettable miles, this is the place.
What’s included in the trip cost?
The trip price includes pre-trip communication, airport transfers, all accommodation, all meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6, transportation, drivers, experienced guides, organized runs, all trail permits/fees, river rafting and Rogue Expeditions swag. In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!
What isn’t included in the trip cost?
The cost does not include flight, alcohol, travel insurance or tips.
Why isn’t the flight included?
Lets be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Come early, stay late. Drive, fly, take a bus. We will provide pickups at Bend/Redmond airport (RDM) OR hotels located in Bend or Redmond between 12pm and 1pm on arrival day. Departures from the Bend/Redmond airport should be no earlier than 1pm on departure day; we are also happy to take you to a hotel in Bend or Redmond if you want to extend your trip (and we’ll offer up a wealth of local must-see / must eat suggestions too!).
How far do I have to be able to run?
There are no requirements! We provide flexible distance options each day, though for the best experience we recommend arriving comfortable with an 8-10 mile long run & 4-6 miles for everyday runs. The more you can run, the more you’ll see! All paces are welcome and there are no time restrictions, though we strongly encourage you to prepare with some hill work (up AND down) and actual trail running (rocks! roots!) in the months leading up.
Please note: Given the beautiful trails, variety of routes, the luxury of time to recover and a healthy dose of peer pressure, nearly everyone ends up running significantly more than they expected. You’ll surprise yourself!
What are the accommodations like?
We will stay at three unique properties during this trip, each one intimate and welcoming in a way that only locally-owned lodges can be. The first is involves an assortment of cozy cabins and lodge rooms in the Crooked River Canyon, where your door will open to sweeping canyon views and that magical high desert light. Rooms here are spacious double occupancy suites with a limited number of single cabins; we will assign rooms as registrations are received.
The second is a charming bed and breakfast located in a tiny town called Westfir, where you can kick back on the patio, listen to the river and gaze straight up at steep, forested slopes of the Cascades. We will have the whole place to ourselves and most people will have their own room here (available singles will be assigned in the order in which you register).
The trip finishes at a lodge nestled in the old growth forest near the magical McKenzie River where the group will share a sprawling, light-filled mountain home with tons of gathering space both indoors and out. The spacious suites will all be shared, with 2-3 people per room (each room has its own bathroom).
With each place you can expect mountain-rustic design, locally-owned hospitality and right-at-home comfort!
What sort of terrain will we be running on?
Trails trails and more trails! None of our runs are especially technical, but you’ll certainly be navigating rocks and roots. There is no requirement to have trail running experience, though it will enhance your experience - we encourage everyone to spend some time off-road in preparation! Expect to run slower than usual; you will be running in the mountains and will likely need to hike the ascents, especially if you are primarily accustomed to road running (plus, you’re going to be stopping for the views. A LOT).
What will we do when we aren’t running?
We aim to strike the perfect balance between running and non-running time! Everything is done at a relaxed pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy leisurely morning coffee and to relax before dinner with a drink and a book or explore the surrounding area. We’ll incorporate a river rafting trip and plenty of sightseeing and waterfall spotting along the way; expect challenging runs that will wear you out, but plenty of time to kick back, relax with your new friends and enjoy a break from your daily grind. This is runcation!
Can my non-runner spouse/friend come too?
The answer is often yes, as long as they enjoy hiking and understand that each day is primarily planned around the scheduled run - we cannot arrange separate activities for them. We suggest getting in touch prior to signing up so that we can discuss whether it’s a good fit.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
The sleeping arrangement will vary between each of the three properties. For the first night, rooms will be a mix of spacious double occupancy suites and a limited number of single cabins; we’ll assign rooms as registrations are received. For the second and third nights, everyone will have their own room. For the fourth and fifth nights suites will all be shared with 2-3 people in each (don’t worry, everyone gets their own bed, and each room has its own bathroom!). You can indicate your roommate preference at checkout if you have one, otherwise we will place you with a same-sex roommate.
What sort of food will we be eating?
Home-cooked, catered, and picnics! Your guides and hosts will be planning, preparing and serving meals to the group, and will aim for tasty, healthy & filling. Breakfasts will feature plenty of options so that everyone finds something they want, including things such as fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs and always plenty of coffee. Lunches will be post-run picnic style - sandwiches, fruit, salty and sweet snacks, etc. Dinners are generally family-style and will always feature plenty of healthy, fresh, delicious food - we’ll try local restaurants, enjoy home-grown specialties prepared by one of our B&B hosts and be treated to an on-site chef whose campfire cooking will rank amongst some of your best meals ever. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten or dairy-free, etc), but if you have a combination of requirements we recommend that you get in touch first to make sure that this trip is a good fit for you.
What should I pack?
Expect chilly mornings/evenings and mild days, making layers a key component. A couple of running outfits, shoes (bring trail shoes!), a hat, a swimsuit, flipflops, some “regular” clothes for the evening and a warm jacket should cover the clothing component. A hydration pack or hydration belt (with multiple bottles) is required. You’ll probably want a camera. You’ll receive a detailed packing list as soon as you register!
What are the tipping expectations?
Your Rogue Expeditions trip leaders will be handling all aspects of your trip (cooking, driving, trail guiding, etc) and while tips are never expected, they are always appreciated from those who enjoy their experience. Any gratuities will be split evenly amongst the team.
Can I reserve this as a private trip for me and my running friends?
With enough notice, yes you can! Contact Gabe at gabe@roguexpeditions.com to discuss details, and note that arrangements generally need to be made 9-10 months in advance.
If I change my mind or something comes up, can I cancel?
We know that life happens, and on occasion a participant will have to back out of a trip. As most of our costs are paid well in advance, we have set a cancellation policy that applies to all trips. You should obtain travel insurance to cover potential cancellations on your part.
If you cancel:
Within 30 days of signup (but more than 90 days from departure): Full refund
90+ days from the trip start date (but after the 30 day grace period): Deposits are non-refundable
61-90 days from the trip start date: 50% of total payment refunded**
60 days or less from the trip start date: No refunds
*If you register using a transfer credit, you may transfer again without penalty within 30 days of signup but will not be eligible for a refund
**This only applies to participants who have paid their balances on time. If you do not pay the balance by the due date and cancel after the fact, your deposit is non-refundable.
Can I switch to another trip?
If you wish to transfer your deposit from one trip to another you must notify us at least 120 days prior to your original departure date. A fee of $150 per person will apply and will be deducted from your original deposit. If you notify us less than 120 days prior to the proposed departure date the refund policy applicable to cancellations will apply. Deposit transfers may only be made once, and must be made to another trip departing within 12 months of your original departure date.
What if Rogue Expeditions cancels the trip?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had never cancelled a trip and we hope that going forward we never have to again. But, it is a possibility and here is what happens if it happens:
If we cancel a trip due to low participant numbers, you will be notified no later than 60 days prior to departure and will receive the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternate trip.
If a trip is cancelled at the last minute due to external events outside our reasonable control (natural disasters, terrorism, etc) we will issue full refunds less any unrecoverable costs. This type of scenario is highly unlikely but as we all know, anything is possible - get that travel insurance!
You can check out the full Booking Terms & Conditions here.
How do I sign up?
You can find the Sign Up button on the Details page as soon as registration is open. A $600 deposit will reserve your spot, and balances are due 3 months prior to the trip start date.
I have more questions. Who can I contact?
Feel free to reach out to gabe@roguexpeditions.com with any questions!