Lower Table Rock & More

April 28, 2019

Over the last few weeks we have been busy hiking a lot of local low elevation trails enjoying the color and bloom of the many Spring flowers.  A few weeks ago we hiked Lower and Upper Table Rock the same day.  We were surprised that the plateau on Lower Table Rock did not have "the bloom" going on and were treated on Upper Table Rock to a plateau that was a sea of yellow Goldfield flowers with numerous vernal pools still full of water.  So on Sunday we headed back to Lower Table Rock and got to see the plateau finally in bloom with Lupine, Sea Blush, Camas and other wildflowers, while along the lower portions of the trail and the Oak Savannah trail we were treated to more Sea Blush, Desert Parsley, Camas and a pair of wild turkeys (the animal, not a flower).  As the snow melts away at higher elevations, we look forward to heading out on some new and familiar favorite trails that are more "out in the woods".  In the meantime, here are some pictures from Lower Table Rock, Upper Table Rock and Cathedral Hills Park in Grants Pass.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Rare albino camas at Lower Table Rock

Sea Blush at top of Lower Table Rock

Blooms on some sort of fruit tree at top of Lower Table Rock

Field of Camas on Oak Savannah trail

Goldfields on Upper Table Rock

Vernal pools on Upper Table Rock

Indian Warriors at Cathedral Hills Park in Grants Pass

Groundcones in bloom - Cathedral Hills Park

Lower Table Rock - Last Hike of Summer

September 20, 2015

Lower Table Rock is one of those hikes in Southern Oregon that local residents should hike at least once during their lifetime.  We hike it much more often than that and decided this past weekend to get one more summer hike done before our favorite time of the year - AUTUMN!!! - is finally here.

We started out around 9:30 am and there were only 5 other cars in the parking lot (around 20 when we finished our hike).  The sun was out and the sky was blue which made it a great day to hike up the Table Rock for a panoramic view of the valley.

Time to hike UP...UP...UP the Lower Table Rock......

The mile long runway on the plateau that leads to the viewpoint

Once we reached the plateau, we hiked along the mile long "runway" to the viewpoint.  Along the way we came across a few carins that had been built this summer.  Evidently someone knew we would hike up here and built the carins to welcome the Pitcairns. We took it as a sign that this hike was meant to be.

One of the cairns built to welcome the Pitcairns

Gone was the water in the vernal pools and the spring flowers were replaced by drying grass, but each season has it's own beauty.

No water in the vernal pools at this time of year

We did take some time at the viewpoint to survey the valley which included Upper Table Rock across the way.

Panoramic view from Lower Table Rock.  Upper Table Rock is to the left.

On our way down we took the Oak Savannah Loop Trail which gave us some great views of Lower Table Rock from a distance.  No wild turkeys like we have seen before on this loop, but then again November is not far off.  We did see some woodpeckers and squirrels around, probably working on storing away all the acorns from the numerous oak trees in this area.

View of Lower Table Rock from the Oak Savannah Loop Trail

Although it was just a 2-hour hike, Lower Table Rock does make you work with multiple climbing segments along the trail and we were glad to be out of the sun before it got too hot.

As Autumn arrives we look forward to hiking in cooler weather and seeing the trees change color  We look forward to sharing some of those hikes with you, but why not try to get out and do an Autumn hike yourself and see firsthand the beauty that is Autumn.  Then you can share your hike with us! Happy Hiking.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol