Lower Table Rock - Above The Clouds

January 27, 2019

As of late, clouds/fog have filled the Rogue Valley in the a.m. hours only to give way around 2:00 pm or so to sunshine.  So afternoon hikes have become the new norm.  Today though we decided to venture out to Lower Table Rock and see if we could rise above the clouds before 2:00 pm.

The sunshine fights through the clouds and trees as we near the plateau of Lower Table Rock

With the recent government shutdown and lack of maintenance reported at the Table Rock trailheads (and factor in the clouds and cold weather), we were surprised that the parking lot at Lower Table Rock was about half full.  Our hike started out in the clouds/fog, and it didn't take long for our hearts and lungs to get really pumping with the cold air and steady climbing along the trail.  As we neared the end of the 1.4 mile climb to the plateau, we began seeing sunshine beaming through the trees and had to stop to get a few pictures.

Plateau reached with sunshine and muddy trails ahead.

One of the larger vernal pools

Once we reached the plateau it was all sunshine!  We had a great view of snow covered Mt McLoughlin (Mt Pitt to the old timers) and the plateau was full of vernal pools from recent rains.  We stopped a couple of times on our trek across the plateau to listen to all the frogs who were out enjoying the sunshine and pools too.

Our view of the Rogue Valley, a sea of clouds.

Mt McLoughin above the clouds

Even Upper Table Rock is above the clouds

When we reached the view point at the far end, we looked out across the ocean of clouds that still engulfed the Rogue Valley. What a view! We watched a couple of airplanes circle and then disappear into the clouds at they landed at the RV airport and looking across the valley we could also see  Upper Table Rock basking in the sunshine.   Great views all around.

Proof that the sun was shining on Lower Table Rock

As we descended on our return down Lower Table Rock, the clouds disappeared and by the time we got to our car sunshine had come to the Rogue Valley.  But for just a little while we were above the clouds and were treated to some unique views.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Lower Table Rock -- Two Rare Sightings

May 5, 2018

We decided to venture back to Lower Table Rock, after a hike there about a month ago, to see what wildflowers were still in bloom and to check on the Vernal Pools at the plateau. In addition to the normal hike, we were treated to a pair of rare sightings.

Time to hike a local favorite

Yes, there were swaths of Sea Blush, Camas, and Fiddlenecks along our hike to the plateau joined in at times by various other wildflowers like Cat's Ear, Larkspur, Lupine, and Desert Parsley.  However, as we went through the lower Oak Savannah area, our eyes caught something different in the middle of all the purple Camas blooms.  There, all by itself, was a white Camas.  We have seen white Shooting Stars and white Houndstongue on other hikes, but this was the first white Camas ever -- so beautiful.

Rare white Camas.  Purple Camas in background.

Then just a little further up the trail, a couple groups of hikers were stopped.  Out of breath?  Reconsidering their hike? Nope. Instead they were looking at a Great Horned Owl who (no pun intended) was still out on an oak branch despite it being late morning.  One of the observers was a co-worker of Glenn's and took some incredible pictures of the owl.  Thanks Sammie!!

Great Horned Owl hanging out at Lower Table Rock

Sammie also took a picture of a Blue Grey Gnatcatcher he saw at Lower Table Rock the same day  (we didn't see it) and shared a recent picture of a Burrowing Owl he saw at Agate Lake.  Beautiful creatures and beautiful pictures.  Thanks for sharing Sammie.

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher @ Lower Table Rock

Burrowing Owl @ Agate Lake

When we arrived at the plateau, only one vernal pool still had water, but it was loaded with tadpoles. We enjoyed the great views of snow covered Mt McLoughin and of course the Rogue Valley.   Even though it was a hike we have done many times, our hike today proves that you never know what rare sights you may encounter or miss.  So get out and explore....and keep your eyes open!

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

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

Lower Table Rock - It's Bloom Time!

April 21, 2017

With sunshine in the forecast and Glenn needing an excuse to take a day off work, we headed up to Lower Table Rock for a 5.3 mile hike to check out this year's wildflower bloom.......and we were not disappointed!

Time to hike and see all the wildflowers

We arrived at the parking lot around 12:30 pm and it was completely full - not one spot open.  So we parked in the bus area.  Once we started hiking it didn't take long to see the wildflowers as there were seas of Sea Blush along the lower portion of the trail.

Looking up at the plateau of Lower Table Rock with Sea Blush in the foreground

Along the way we saw many more wildflowers: Fiddleneck, Cat's Ear, Buttercup, Desert Parsley, Camas, Frittilia, Shooting Stars, Houndstongue, Larkspur, Miner's Lettuce, Balsamroot, Fawn Lilies, Saxifrage, Ookow, Monkey Flowers, Cow's Udder Clover and Woodland Star.  Those are the one's we remembered.

Fields of Sea Blush and Popcorn Flowers

The boardwalk segment of the trail on the plateau

Once we arrived at the plateau, we were treated to fields of Bi-Colored Lupine, Goldfield, Blue Eyed Mary and Popcorn flowers that ran along the entire trail to the viewpoint.

Fields of Goldfield

Fields of Bi-Color Lupine and Blue Eyed Mary

And more fields of Goldfield.

There were also still vernal pools full of water among all the wildflowers which enhanced the views.

One of the larger vernal pools with snow covered Mt McLoughlin in the background

We hiked out to the end of the plateau for a view the entire Rogue Valley area.  While taking a break there, we had a visitor who was looking for leftover food from past visitors - or maybe squirrels enjoy seeing all the wildflowers too.

Our little friend at the viewpoint on the Lower Table Rock plateau

So if you are in the mood to see lots of wildflowers and can spare a couple of hours, be sure to check out Lower Table Rock soon.  It is beautiful!

Trekking Together
Glenn and 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