Lower Table Rock - Bloom Update

March 28, 2018

Just a quick update on the Spring bloom here in the Rogue Valley.  Today we hiked up Lower Table Rock and there are many different types of wildflowers already in bloom.

Nice new sign at the entrance of the parking lot

As you hike the trail to the top there are literally thousands of Fawn Lilies in bloom.  Some portions along the trail are like a sea of Fawn Lilies -- the most we have ever seen on one hike!  Other wildflowers we spotted include Shooting Stars, Buttercup, Saxifrage, Desert Parsley, Hounds Tongue, Oaks Toothwort, Grass Widows and even a few Gentner's Fritillary plants with flower buds on them - just not opened yet.

Goldfield - up close and personal

At the plateau there are some patches of Goldfield (especially at the far end), a few Popcorn Flowers and Desert Parsley.  Still a few vernal pools with two that are quite large.  One even had a Canada Goose as a guest.

Canada Goose enjoying the vernal pool and view of Mt McLoughlin

View of the large vernal pool with Mt McLoughlin in the background

View of the Rogue Valley 

Great views of snow covered McLoughlin too.  The path at the top is still a little muddy but drying up quickly with the recent sunshine.  So get out and enjoy.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Rogue River Trail @ Lost Creek Lake - Takelma TH

March 18, 2018

The trail around Lost Creek Lake is called the Rogue River Trail, which may seem a little confusing.  However, when one realizes that the Rogue River is before and after Lost Creek Lake and that the lake is only here due to a dam, one can understand how the trail got it's name.  There are many trailheads on which one can access this trail and we have started at all of them except one - the Takelma TH.

Time for another new hike for us.

So with some sunshine between rain storms we took Katie and headed up to Lost Creek Lake and started our hike at the Takelma TH.  Since we were not familiar with this segment, we actually parked at the Day Use Area and had to hike on the road to get to the TH which is better accessed from the Boat Launch Area.

Into the forest we go....

Great trail signs along this segment

Most of the segment hikes we have done around the lake are pretty exposed and out in the sunshine which makes hiking them a non-summer option.  This segment, as we quickly found out, stays in forested areas most of the time, but still provided many opportunities for viewing the lake and of course, picture taking.

Taking in the views of Lost Creek Lake......

and more views......

and more views.

The shaded trail also allowed for lots of moss, ferns and our small wildflower friend Snow Queen, to abound as we progressed on the nicely kept trails.  As temperatures begin to warm up, we are sure there will be even more wildflowers to enjoy on this hike.

Snow Queen

Hiking on the edge.  Do not  try hiking this segment at night!

The trail eventually comes out of the woods and heads through an Oak Savannah area before joining with a dirt road for a bit to continue to the next trailhead, the Lost Creek Lake TH.  We made the road our turnaround point for a nice 6 mile round trip.

Large rock formation across the lake from the trail

View of lake from Oak Savannah area.

We got to enjoy the views of the lake once again and took time to look at the various rock formations around some parts of the lakes and take in the views of the surrounding mountains, some with a dusting of snow, others still completely covered.  By the way, the trail also has many benches where you can pause and take in the views and goes through a primitive campground which has many picnic tables.  Vault toilets are available at the Day Use Area and at the primitive campground.

We really enjoyed this segment of the Rogue River Trail and highly recommend you give it a try when in the area.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Applegate Ridge Trail (East)

March 10, 2018

Last September we almost hiked the entire Applegate Ridge Trail (east), but stopped less than a mile short in an out and back hike from the Sterling Creek Road TH.  Today we began our hike from the Highway 238 TH access and am happy to report that we hiked the entire trail TH to TH, 11 miles worth.

Where the Applegate Ridge Trail starts along Highway 238

By starting at the Highway 238 TH access, our hike began with a slow but steady climb up to the ridge for about 1.5 miles.  It didn't take long to get warmed up, and since this morning we were shrouded in clouds until we reached the top of the ridge, warming up felt good.

The start of our hike featured much cloud cover and very cool air.

Once on the ridge, the clouds are gone and the views were incredible!

After our climb ended and we made our way through a few forested sections of the trail, we began the best part of the trail, the 3 miles or so that cross the ridges and allow views of the surrounding Applegate Valley and mountains, many that are still snow covered.

Views of snow covered mountains in the distance

Once we arrived at the Sterling Creek Road TH, we had about a 10 minute break before the Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club arrived from Roseburg.  We then hiked the trail back to our car with the club and enjoyed talking with some of the club members while enjoying the wonderful views from the other direction.

This oak tree has seen better days

One of the many amazing views along this trail

Glenn's favorite tree along the trail

Not too many wildflowers out yet along the trail, although we did see a few Oak Toothworts, Desert Parsley, and some Popcorn Flowers.  Regardless, the views all along the ridge make the hike more than worth it.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol