Low Carbon Vacations

Here are a few things we're doing to help make your vacation more green and our business more ecologically friendly:

Recycling - We recycle everything possible, cans, bottles, paper, plastic etc. . 

Composting - Kitchen scraps and organic waste go to our compost pile to feed our organic gardens rather than going to the landfill.

Solar Power - We have a 4.5 KW solar photovoltaic array that generates virtually all electricity used by the cabins during the summer months.   (Our electricity is regular 120V AC, same as any typical home).

Water Conservation - We conserve water by irrigating with drip irrigation systems on timers.  By increasing efficiency and minimizing our use we help to conserve the water in our rivers that is so essential to our salmon and steelhead runs. 

Evaporative Coolers - The evaporative coolers ("swamp coolers") that we use in our cabins consume about one third the electricity of air conditioners and use no Freon or other harmful greenhouse gases.

Natural Building - On the ranch you'll find examples of cordwood construction, cob, light straw clay and natural earth  plasters, all examples of non-toxic natural building techniques that use less energy, utilize local resources and are completely biodegradable.

Watershed Restoration - Owners Blythe Reis and Mark DuPont are founding members of the Mid-Klamath Watershed Council.  As board members we take an active role in local watershed restoration and community development. 



Sandy Bar Ranch, swimming, hiking, biking, raftering, kayaking

Things to Do

Swimming -It's a short walk down a path to our private sandy beach and swimming hole located across from Pearch Creek, a pristine mountain stream that can be heard from the cabin decks.  You can also explore the many swimming holes of the nearby Salmon River, which flows from the Marble Mountain and Russian and Trinity Wilderness areas. 

White Water Rafting on the Klamath RiverWhite Water Rafting & Kayaking - We can arrange rafting trips to suit any taste, from Mild to Wild.  Whether it's a mellow class 2 to 3 run, or a more challenging class 4-5  run, you'll be accompanied by expert, certified guides and see the river from a whole new perspective.

Fishing -  The Klamath River is famous for it's fall run of Steelhead from late Summer through the winter months. Contact us for the latest on river conditions and fishing reports.  We can also put you in touch with local guides with expert knowledge of the river.  
Hiking - Whether it's a short walk or a long hike you're looking for we can point you in the right direction.  The Orleans Ranger Station is also just 3/4 miles down the road and offers a variety of maps and information.  It's a twenty minute drive to the closest wilderness trailhead.  A longer drive will take you to high elevation trailheads leading to mountain lakes.

Explore Our Gardens - There's always something blooming or fruiting in our 2 acres of organic garden.  The morning goat milking is a popular attraction for kids! Try your hand at gardening during one of our morning sessions.
Organic Produce, Sandy Bar Ranch
Farm Fresh Produce is available from June through the fall, feel free to contact us to find out what's in season.  


Family Reunions -  Located midway between Portland Oregon and the San Fransisco Bay Area, our ranch provides an ideal inexpensive site for family reunions, far from distractions, with plenty of activities for all ages.

Bicycling - Highway 96 and the nearby Salmon River Road have minimal traffic and will take you through some of the most scenic cycling country in the state, winding through river canyons and gorges,  passing swimming holes and offering spectacular vistas.
  
Workshops - We host  a variety of classes and workshops in the Spring and Fall, ranging from natural history to organic gardening and acoustic music.  We provide  shared lodging in our riverside cabins along with sumptuous meals prepared from our own organic produce.   See our Workshop page for more details.

Crafts - A variety of crafts are for sale, including beeswax candles, salves, tinctures, dried flower wreaths, garlic braids and dried fruit, all grown and produced right here on the ranch.  

WiFi - You can set up in the cabana or in the shade on the lawn and access the Internet on your own laptop.

Weekly Tours - We offer weekly tours for those interested in learning more about our Permaculture homestead.  Tours last 60 to 90 minutes and can be tailored to specific interests.  Topics include Permaculture design, organic gardens, solar energy, alternative building techniques, orchard management and natural and cultural history of the Klamath Region.

If you're looking for a complete vacation package, Dude Ranch Vacations offered by our neighbors at Marble Mountain Ranch offer traditional ranch vacation packages complete with rafting, horse riding, fishing and sporting clays.