About us
Welcome to Happy Hikes around Hwy 199. The purpose of this Meetup Group is to invite locals, visitors, and tourists to interact with all that SW Oregon & NW California has to offer. This Group will also bring like minded outdoor explorers together for exciting and thrilling adventures.
We'll be wandering through the Siskiyou/Rogue River/Six Rivers/Umpqua National Forests/county and BLM lands and everything in between including the famed Kalmiopsis Wilderness. We'll take on challenging activities as well as more relaxing events that visit some very mesmerizing phenomenal places. We'll hit trails old and new and even a few that aren't on the map! Our intention is to write descriptions for calendared events that prescribe a trails difficulty ahead of time. That way you'll know what to expect.
This Meetup group is for everyone of any skill level to join and or visit. Our activities will center on hiking trails that surround Highway 199. Hwy 199 lays in a valley that stretches from Crescent City to Crater Lake, between the Applegate Valley and the Pacific coast. If there are other activities you want to do, let me know and we'll get them scheduled.
"We're having way too much fun!"
We live by the motto, "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
And don't forget the sunscreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
Upcoming events
1
Comet C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS
Location not specified yetComet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is predicted to be visible from Grants Pass, Oregon, in late April 2026, with peak brightness around April 19-27, 2026. It may reach a magnitude of +2 to +8, potentially appearing faintly visible to the naked eye under dark skies, or easily with binoculars.
Best Viewing Times and Locations (Grants Pass, OR):-
Best Visibility: Early morning (before sunrise) around April 19-20, 2026, looking low on the eastern horizon.
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Alternative Viewing: The comet may become visible in the early evening sky after sunset following its closest approach to the sun.
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Conditions: A clear eastern view, away from city light pollution, is required due to the low angle on the horizon. Key Details:
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Rare Event: This long-period comet has a ~170,000-year orbit, making this a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity.
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What to look for: A greenish coma and a blue tail, best seen with binoculars, as described in local KOIN.com news coverage.
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Brightening Potential: The comet may experience a "forward-scattering" effect, making it brighter as it nears the sun, according to Facebook posts from space enthusiasts.
2 attendees-
Past events
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