Have you ever zipped? If not, I suggest to get on it! Recently opened and certified Rogue Valley Zipline Adventure is the place to do it. Last week I had the opportunity with the Rogue Valley tourism girls to test out this new local adventure. As I am sure you are aware of, up until this point we did not have anything like it. The closest zip lining company is in Takilma, which is hours away. Just in the backyard of Gold Hill/Central Point, you can zip over 2700 ft!!!

Accompanying me was Kerrie and Dana of Grants Pass Tourism, as well as Dana’s bold son (Zach). We also had Sue of Southern Oregon Marketing and the two gals of Southern Oregon Visitors Association, Carolyn and I.  When we arrived at the pick-up spot just right off the freeway, the owner, Lindsey, and her “best and over-worked guide”, Steve picked us up. During the short ride up to the property, we were able to chat with the other three people who were zipping that day. One of them was a “repeat offender” as I like to say, Ivete, an avid adventure seeker, and her two (handsome) sons from the east coast. Ryan was the tall, shy, mama’s boy and Chris was the short, comedian/lady killer. After just a few minutes of arrival to the “orientation station” my boss Carolyn and the others thought it might be a good idea for Ryan and I to pose as a couple for a classic media shot. Although slightly embarrassed, I would be lying if I said I minded.

Our two guides were more than helpful, engaging, and more importantly safe! I was really impressed with their accommodations they were able to provide us with considering our circumstance. They might not be ADA approved (yet), but they are definitely friendly. They make you feel so comfortable during and after your first 100ft zip, that you would be crazy to turn down the other 4. Yes, there are 5 ziplines during your ride. You get “harnessed up” at the bottom of the hill with a helmet and cool personalized RVZA water bottle that straps right to you. Lindsey even went out of her way to grab extra hair ties so I could strap my camera to me while zipping and take pictures. Little things like this all day long—you can really tell they want you to have the best time possible.

As you begin the 3-4 hour guided tour, you are given important instructions to work you through any details you could possibly worry about, then off to the first zip. This is more like a trial zip to give you a feel of it all, and to make sure you can “back out” if needed. Out of about 550 users since around mid July when they opened, we were told that only one person changed their mind after the first run. After that you are off to a few more small hikes in between your zips as you climb higher and higher into the hills of Kane Creek. The second zip is 300ft, the third is 500ft, the fourth is 800ft, and lastly you get to experience over 1300ft of zip on the fifth zip. I have to tell you, it seems like you are looking at ants on the other side of the mountain while looking at your zip buddies across the way where you will end up after that final zip. The view is absolutely breathtaking.  If you love the Rogue Valley as much as I do, you could attest that this is one of the best places for the full view. Not only do you get both Table Rocks, you also get the rim of Crater Lake, Mount McLoughlin, and Brown Mountain. Soaring over the trees in the natural wilderness, there are not a lot of things that can feel as good as this.

Lastly, when you think all the fun is over with and it is time to go home (trust me, you will be sad when this time comes), they stop the shuttle van in order for you to view the little historic gold mine for your last photo op.  Dare yourself to go, you will not regret it!

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