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

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

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

Roxy Ann/Prescott Park - The Nameless New Trail

August 28, 2016

Roxy Ann/Prescott Park is one of those "close to home" hiking parks that we don't do postings on too often. However, since this hike was on a new trail, so new it wasn't even named or signed yet, we decided to let everyone in on the secret.

Glenn heard about this new trail while in line at the local Fred Meyer store. Seems the couple in front of him began talking to the cashier about a new trail they had hiked at Roxy Ann that moring and the cashier, an avid hiker, wanted to know more details.  Glenn chimed in that he too had hiked up there and was interested. So after a glowing account of their hike and since Fred Meyer shoppers are honest and truthful people, we decided to get this new nameless trail a try.

A portion of the new trail near the start

August here in Southern Oregon is usually known for two things:  hot weather & smoke from wildfires.  On the day we hiked, we knew we would have to start early to beat the heat but late enough to allow the first gate on the drive up to be open.  So we arrived at 8:00 am and planned on a 2-hour hike . (a little Gilligan's Island music please)

The trail was in the shade on the west side of Roxy Ann Peak 

The trail starts right at the second gate area where everyone parks.  It is on the left side of the road and takes you slightly downhill from the main road but for the most  part  parrallels the road.  Since it was early, most of this porton of trail was still in the shade.  After about a mile the trail begins a series of long switchbacks downhill till your reach the saddle area between Roxy Ann Peak and Little Roxy Ann.

Little Roxy Ann

After the switchbacks the trail begins entering the more forrested portion of the hike which was our favorite part.  The climbing and descending were mixed in with flat portions as the trail wound its's way around trees and manzanita bushes.  We came across deer a few times during this portion and there were different spots on the trail that afforded great views of both Table Rocks.

Slowly the trees begin to appear......

Even the manzanita were subject to the trail cutters.

The trail eventually made it way to the north-east side of Roxy Ann where the landscape is an Oak Savannah and mostly out in the sun.  We saw numerous large dead woodpecker trees and their residents along the trail and had some great views of Roxy Ann in one direction and Mt McLoughlin in the other direction.

Must be a few woodpeckers in the area

VIew of Roxy Ann Peak as the trail heads out into the sun 

The trail ends by tying in to the loop road near the Rock Quarry.  The distance from the start of the trail to this point is 4.3 miles.  So for most hikers, you would take a left onto the loop road and walk it around and down to get back to your car.  It would be about a 6 mile hike.  Or if  you are into long hikes, taking a break where the new trail joins the loop road and then hiking back the way you came on the same trail would take you back to your car for an 8.6 mile hike.

View of the end of the trail

View of end of the trail from the loop road - no sign, no name, just a trail

However, both of those options are not what we did, but then you probably don't want to do what we did, at least not on a hot day.  When we arrived at the loop road we saw another new trail right across the road and thought it was a continuation of the trail we had hiked and that it would take us back to our car.   (Jaws music please).  At least that is how Glenn heard it told, but maybe those Fred Meyer shoppers weren't honest????  Anyway, that other trail we took consisted of a series of switchbacks that go uphill to the very top of Roxy Ann, which was not on our agenda today.  So after hiking two-thirds of the way up and then realizing where this trail was going, we jumped onto the Manzanita trail to get back down.  That trail by 10:30 am was in full sun and it was a long..... hot....... descent and our hike turned into a 7 mile "way too hot and long" hike in which we drank all of our water.  Good thing there was a Starbucks on the way home!!

But don't let our misadventure scare you away.  This new trail (the first one) is a very nice 4.3 mile trail and we really enjoyed hiking it.  The soil is loose in many sections due to it being new and not yet packed down, so do watch your step.  It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding ---- at least there was evidence that all 3 groups have used this trail.  Matter of fact, we hope to hike it again in the Autumn or Winter and will probably try to do the out and back hike for 8.6 miles.

There are plans for even more trails and facilities to be built at Prescott Park, so for those of you in the Southern Oregon area, keep your eyes and ears open for any updates.  In the meantime, we'll keep exploring any new nameless trails we find and keep you updated through our blog.

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