Lower Table Rock -- End of Summer

September 18, 2016

Five months may not seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things, but in the realm of nature, five months can dramatically change a landscape.

Back in April we hiked Lower Table Rock and were greeted by an incredible display of wildflowers, one that we had never seen on Lower or Upper Table Rock before.  Just go back to our April posting on that hike and you will see the vast fields containing thousands of flowers.  But that was five months ago and now it is September.  So when we arrived at the top of Lower Table Rock on our most recent hike, it was quite a contrast to our hike in April.  Though still beautiful in it's own way, the colors of Spring flowers had now faded and were replaced with dried grasses on the plateau.  Below is a pictorial comparison of a few views at the top of Lower Table Rock between our April and September hikes.

View upon arrival on the plateau in April........

......and the view in September

Vast fields with thousands of flowers in April.......

....are now flowerless with dried grasses in September.

The plateau trail in April......

....and now in September

Don't get us wrong, we still enjoyed our hike.  Each season with it's colors and unique aspects adds to the fun of hiking and makes nature what it is.

View of Upper Table Rock from Lower Table Rock

A hot summer hike under blue skies with white waves of clouds.

 But as Summer comes to a close, we look forward to Autumn and the return of color in the form of yellow, orange and red.  Each year we try to get out and hike a few trails that feature the short lived Autumn foilage here in Southern Oregon.  The cooler weather and fewer people along the trails also allows you the time to just take in the sights, relax, and enjoy the views, sounds and smells of the outdoors. We'll do our best to try and share those hikes and sights with you, but why not get our yourself and enjoy first-hand what we think is the best season of the year, Autumn.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Upper Table Rock Trail

This past week we made a quick trip to the Upper Table Rock trail after Glenn got off work so that we could hike to the plateau before darkness set in.

Time for a quick hike!

When we arrived at the parking lot it was completely full of cars, but we created our own parking spot and headed up the trail by 4:00 pm.  We quickly came across some of the BLM burn areas on the lower portion of the trail.  In an effort to reduce the fire hazard, BLM came through a week or so ago and cleared out some undergrowth and brush and burned them in large piles.  Although not a pretty site when hiking, this effort will allow grasses and wildflowers to grow in these areas over the next few years.

On the hike up to the plateau we encountered at least a dozen groups of people hiking down and as a result, we were the only ones at the summit when we arrived.  Of course a few other groups soon arrived, but it was still very beautiful & quiet.  Our hike to the summit went by fast and as you can see from the picture, our legs were very long and tired!

Those are some long and tired legs!!!

There were still many vernal pools at the summit and various wildflowers were in bloom including the pretty Grass Widow.  Looks like a lot of other wildflowers were getting read to bloom over the next few weeks. We hiked across the plateau and then hiked the trail along the edge till we arrived back at the main trail.  Someone even saw some artwork on the plateau as someone took the time to arrange a group of rocks into the phrase "I love you",

One of the vernal pools still on the plateau

Grass Widow

The "I Love You" artwork

Despite wanting to stay longer, we knew we needed to start back down to beat the darkness and get home to Katie.  "No dogs allowed" on this trail although we have seen people bring their dogs on this trail before.  If you live in the Southern Oregon area and are interested in hiking Upper or Lower Table Rock, the rest of March and even early April should provide you with some beautiful flowers and beautiful views.  Get out there and enjoy.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol