11 members of FOU assembled for a scheduled hike on the North Umpqua Trail (NUT) sections Marsters and Calf. But due to recent storm damage the USFS recently closed the Calf section. Therefore the hike was changed to start at Illahee Flats and end at Calf Creek. The weatherman promised partially clear weather until late in day. As would have it, he was wrong. It rained lightly all the way up the North Umpqua Highway and ice was very apparent by the slipping of our vehicles. When we got as far as the Calf Creek TH the road was getting too hazardous so we decided to go no further and we hiked up the Marsters Section. The trail was frozen and snow was scattered but that gave the hike a beautiful/different feel. We encountered many walls of ice and some amazing icicle formations on trail banks. There were several tree blowdowns across the trail due to recent storms but all passable. The river was a gorgeous clear blue/green and we had some great views of it. Hiked to the end near Marsters Bridge and some ate lunch and some just headed back because of the light rain & cold.  Despite the weather it was a cheery group who ventured up the trail and all enjoyed it. Total mileage was 7.6 miles. On way back to town most stopped at Glide ice cream parlor to indulge - odd choice considering the weather - but that’s us. Hope to do Calf Section some time in future.

In Attendance: Richard & Dollie, Geoff, Lois, Craig, Jane, Gary & Nancy, Phil, and Ray & Linda