What: 2008 Backcountry Llama Rendezvous and Drive-in.

When:  June 27-29, 2008

Where: Emigrant Springs Campground, Oregon State Park, 26mi SE of Pendleton just off I-84

Why: To learn and educate others about llamas, and have fun doing so.

Last updated: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 15:08

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<< Important Update regarding the Pack Trip. 

Click on the audio/video clip below to see scenes from a 2007 hike in the Wallowa Mountains (Eagle Cap Wilderness).

For a higher resolution version (high speed Internet connection required) click this link.

About Emigrant Springs

Last year's rendezvous location in the Blue Mountains at Emigrant Springs was favorably received so will be the location of this years gathering as well. It's located at only 4000' elevation and has easy paved access from I-84 (Old Oregon Trail Hwy) so is accessible by all vehicles and trailer combinations.

We have again rented the large recently remodeled community building, which is heated and includes a big commercial kitchen.  We plan to have lots of good food available along with the comfortable refuge in case of inclement weather.

Many lodging options are available.  The "primitive" camping area around the community building is reserved for us (no separate reservations are necessary).  Parking of RV's and camp trailers with no hookups is allowed.  The parking area is quite large.  Generators are allowed from 10am-6pm.  Modern, clean restrooms and showers are available (no extra cost for showers -- it's part of your camp fee).   Site cost is $8/night per group/family (up to eight people).  Other choices away from the community building include individual more-secluded tent sites, cabins (large or small), tent/camper sites with stables (that's where we will be), and individual RV sites with or without hookups.  All the "other choices" away from the community building require separate reservation be made on your own via ReserveAmerica.  Small cabins are $20/night, large $35/night.  They include beds, refrigerator, stove, oven, chairs, heating, lighting, and the large cabin has a sink.  Full RV hookups are $16/night.  Individual tent sites and tent/trailer sites with stables are $14/night.  ReserveAmerica charges a $6 reservation fee.  Llamas are to camp in the grassy area behind the community building or in the horse stable camping area.  Both areas have water nearby.  The horse stable area reservations are by phone only.

For additional details and map of the campgrounds, see the brochure.

Pictures

For some panoramic views of the campground areas see Oregon State Parks

For snapshots taken in December 2006, including the camping area next to the community building, see Webshots

For links to photos and articles from last year, see the 2007 Rendezvous page.

Activities

As with last year, this a combined event.  In addition to backcountry llama packers we invite and encourage llama drivers to attend as well and bring their carts.  This area has (unpaved) forest roads and trails to drive.  Of course newcomers/ investigators are encouraged to attend too -- the idea is to bring together all aficionados (and interested parties) of the working llama to learn and have fun.  Youth are encouraged to attend.  We're again expecting many 4H kids (with their llamas).  Most of these kids have show experience but few of them have actual exposure to llama packing or driving.  This is a chance for actual hands-on education about what can be done with llamas as well as gaining more handling experience, strengthening their relationship with their llama.

• There will be no PLTA-sanctioned Pack Trial at this year's rendezvous.  The focus will instead be oriented more towards casual activities -- more educational seminars, a poker run, driving, GPS treasure hunt, fiber arts (felting, spinning), games, etc. 
• Friday evening after dinner is movie night in the community building.  All you can eat popcorn and homemade root beer and homemade ice cream will accompany a llama-related video.
• Scott Noga will be demonstrating how to track and locate your pack llama(s) in the wilderness if he/she runs off or wanders away.  If prepared beforehand, you'll never lose your llama only to spend hours or days searching.  Have the peace of mind of knowing you can quickly find them no matter where they go.
• Immediately following the events at Emigrant Springs, a guided pack trip is planned to Main Eagle (Boulder Park) in the southern Wallowas.  By guided, I mean it will be led by packers experienced in this particular hike, but it is intended to be a BYOLL (bring your own llama) event, i.e., for experienced and equipped packers. Backpackers are also welcome. For those of you that have never hiked the Wallowas, you're in for a treat. It's some of the best hiking in the entire PNW.  NOTE: Wallowa Llamas will be packing out of Boulder Park on the 29th, concluding one of their hosted trips, and can provide equipped rental llamas at the trailhead that day.  Rental cost per llama is $50/day.  Afterwards, if they need to return to pick up the llamas at the trailhead vs. having them dropped off at their ranch in Halfway, OR, it's a $140 transportation charge for the trip (total, not per llama).  Halfway is about 30 driving miles SE of the trailhead.

Schedule:

Friday June 27th
 

Saturday June 28th
 

Sunday June 29th
 

June 29th to July 2nd (or whenever)

Some participants are heading to the Eagle Cap Wilderness for a pack trip at the tail end of rendezvous.  Click the button on the left for more details.

        *All times are approximate and subject to change.  Participants are free to join the scheduled events above or groups may elect to take advantage of alternate activities.  Some concurrent children's activities are planned.  A public llama demonstration is planned for all park campers at the campground Interactive Center stage.

Organizers / Volunteers: Scott & Gayle Noga, Barb Brady, Debra Langley-Boyer, Noel McRae, Herb and Barb Barrus, Wes Holmquist, Bob Schimph, and anyone else coerced into it.  The more we can get involved in organizing their own mini-activity the more of an overall event we can all enjoy and the easier the burden on everyone involved.  Don't be shy!

Primary Sponsors:  Backcountry Llama Association, Llama Hardware, Oakdell Egg Farm, Quality Llama Products, Columbia Grain and Feed, and Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch.

What is Provided

• Friday and Saturday night dinner, which will include various main course selections and dessert.  Potluck side dishes.  Please notify us in advance of any special dietary requirements.  Vegetarian and gluten-free selections are presently planned.
• Saturday lunch.
• Hearty breakfasts Saturday and Sunday available as llama rescue fundraisers (submit voluntary donations then).
• Prizes and Awards.

Available

• Commemorative T-shirts    $10
• Crew Neck Sweatshirts    $25
• Hooded Pullover Sweatshirts    $28

These items are offered at cost.  Orders must be in before June 6 to get them made before the event.

What to Bring

Picnic tables are available both outdoors and indoors but please bring a comfortable chair and your own camping and packing gear. Main dishes, beverages and dessert will be provided Friday and Saturday night, and take-out lunch (build your own bag lunch of breads, meats, cheeses + fruit and chips) on Saturday.  Donations of side dishes are very welcome. You are encouraged to share a favorite on-the-pack-trail dish (or side dish) and recipes.  Hearty all-you-can-eat breakfasts will be provided onsite accepting optional donation for 4-H llama project and llama rescue fundraisers Saturday and Sunday.  A commercial dishwasher is available to wash your plates and utensils, if desired.  Meal trays, paper products and plastic utensils will be available but supplies may be limited.

Llama pack gear is recommended (optional) for the poker run.  Bring your driving equipment. The weather is expected to be about 85F with lots of sunshine, so bring your hats, sunglasses and cameras. It may cool down to about 45F at night, so some layered warm clothing is recommended.  By mid June the rains are typically in the past as the hot dry summer approaches, but some light rain gear or umbrella is prudent.  The forecast.  The ground is dry. Grass hay and/or pellets for llamas to eat (forage is limited). Tethers or portable corrals. Water buckets and canteen/coolers (potable water is available).  Bring your GPS receiver, maps and compass.

What to Leave Behind

Important: Practice Leave no Trace principles insofar as practical.  Please pick up any pellets and bits of hay before you leave and deposit all garbage in the receptacles.  It's important to leave the camp area clean.

Registration Fees --  Registration Form

Costs are $40 per adult for the entire weekend. Kids ages 10-18 are $15 for the weekend. Kids under 10 are free.  Opt. family rate $100.  Group discounts available.  Members of 4-H or FFA, 50% off.  Discounts also available for seminar and activity organizers.  Inquire.  Vendor fee $50.  Fees cover the community building, prizes, food, attendance and participation in all events. Please have registration in by Friday, 6 June 2008. After that date fees increase to $45 for adults and $20 for 10 -18.

Please make checks payable to: c/o Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch; 350 Tracie Road; Pasco, WA 99301-8895.  Registration submissions are also accepted via E-mail attachment and PayPal.

Directions

Located 26 miles east of Pendleton and 26 miles west of LaGrande, Oregon, just off Hwy I-84, exit #234 on Old Hwy 30.
East bound on I-84 take exit 234. Continue east (straight ahead) on Old Hwy 30. The park entrance is 1/2 mile on your right and is posted with a large sign, as is exit 234.
West bound on I-84 take the 234 exit. At the stop sign go west (left turn) on to Old Hwy 30. Continue west across overpass around small curve (right). The park entrance is 1/2 mile on your left.

Lat.: 45.541366 N
Long.: -118.461326 W

Questions?  Call Scott or Gayle at (509) 545-5903 (hm) or E-mail
 

For an article and pictures of last years Rendezvous at this same location, see Rendezvous 07

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Last modified: 07 May 2015