The Wonder of Wildflowers

As the month of April ends and we head into the warmer months and summer, we have lots of new hikes planned and are excited about seeing and hiking new places.  We also have trips planned to the Redwoods and the Oregon Coast.

The month of April has been mostly about hiking locally.  However the wildflowers this Spring have been beautiful and abundant.  Both Roxy Ann and the Jacksonville Woodlands Trails provide variety and color when it comes to wildflowers and it has been fun to hike both areas often and the see the changing wildflower landscape.

So before we get to those new hikes, we wanted to share some of the beautiful wildflowers we have seen in the month of April & have posted pictures below.  We did not include the names so that you can simply enjoy their beauty. However, if you really want to know the name, just email us.

Also this is the time of year when most long distance hikers begin their thru hikes. We are again following Erin "Wired" Saver who is hiking the Appalachian Trail to finish her triple crown.  She does a great job of updating you almost daily with stories, pictures and videos and has recently been featured in various magazines.

Two new blogs we are following are MarmotsAdventures as she hikes the Continental Divide Trail and Eathikerepeat which features Alan & Janel as they hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  So in a sense we are watching the Triple Crown hiked at the same time!  Please take some time and check out each of these blogs by clicking the link highlighted or use the link listed under blogs we follow. You can also subscribe to each blogs so you get automatic updates.  It's lots of fun to follow along on these hikes.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Little Grayback Trail

Last week we both had vacations so during the week we took Katie and did a few local short hikes. But when Sunday rolled around it was time to venture out and try a new and longer hike.  We drove out to the Ruch Country Store to meet our hiking friend Richard and then carpooled to the Little Grayback trail near Applegate Lake.

It's Trekking Time!!!

Richard told us that this trail was a steady climb but featured great views.  That was enough to interest us and Richard didn't lie.  The trail was a continuous slow steady climb but never overwhelming and the continuous views of the snow capped Red Buttes and Siskiyou mountains provided us an excuse to stop.

Our constant view of the Red Buttes and Siskiyou mountains

The trail took us through alternating shaded wooded areas and open sunny portions. As we got closer to the top and our turnaround point, we hiked through multiple open grassy knolls, some with small wildflowers. Each provided us with beautiful views, warm sunshine and plenty of photo opportunities.

One of many sunny grassy knolls that we hiked through

At one point on the trail we came across a group of Knobcone pine trees.  This was the first time we have seen these trees with their unique cones.  Instead of growing at the end of branches, these cones grow right on the tree. This tree is considered to be a fire-climax species as the cones do not open until the tree is killed by fire. After the fire, the cones begin to open to release seed into cooled mineral soil.

Knobcone

Our turnaround point came at the 3.9 mile mark along another open grassy area.  We went off trail a little bit and broke out the food and drinks.  The view was incredible and there was no sound but the wind.  We could see the mountains in the distance, had trees in view as far as the eye could see, and we even got to see Big Squaw Lake. Even Katie enjoyed the break when normally she does not like to stand still - unless there is food involved.  Hmmm..maybe that had something to do with it.

Our lunch break view.....can you see Big Squaw Lake?

Our hike today put us over the 100 mile mark for the year.  It is the earliest we have ever reached that mile mark and puts us on pace for a 300+ mile year!!! (knock on wood)


100 miles hiked already this year!!!

After getting our fill of food and drinks, we started the 3.9 mile descent.  The return hike seemed to go by quickly - maybe it was because if was almost all downhill. As we hiked through one of the grassy knolls areas, something caught our eye.  There among the rocks and grasses was a flower we had not seen on the way up ---the "one and only" monkey-flower. Glenn loves monkey-flowers - something about the name. When we hiked the nearby Stein Butte trail, a few years ago, we saw a barrel full of monkey flowers!

The one and only Monkey Flower we saw on this hike

Alas, all good things must come to an end.  We really enjoyed this new hike and the weather was absolutely beautiful -- around 70 degrees with a few clouds.  After driving back to Richard's car at the Ruch Country Store, Richard treated us to soft serve ice cream cones at the Pit Stop Espresso. What a great way to top off a great day of hiking!
THANKS RICHARD!

Be sure to check out Richard's blog on this hike as well.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Upper Rogue Trail: Woodruff Bridge to North Fork Park

Spring is almost here and we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather Sunday and stretch our legs for a good LONG hike.  Our dog Katie joined us as we met our hiking friend Richard at the Prospect Ranger Station near Union Creek for a shuttle hike on the Upper Rogue Trail.

If you are not familiar with the term “shuttle hike”, it is simply a hike where you leave a vehicle at the start and end of your hiking route.  So leaving Richard’s vehicle at the Ranger Station, we packed into our car and drove up the road to the Woodruff Bridge Picnic area.

Time for some trekking!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the sound of mighty Rogue River and treated to the beautiful rapids/falls at the bridge.  This would be an 11-mile trek from Woodruff Bridge to the North Fork Park where the Upper Rogue trail begins (or ends depending on your view) it’s 47-mile course.  We have only hiked one other time over 10 miles – the John Dellenback Loop at Diamond Lake (see our 2013 June posting on this 11.5 mile hike).

The Rogue River at Woodruff Bridge

The first mile-and-a-half of trail kept us within sight and sound of the river which was very full from recent rains.  We also got to view a lot of whitewater and small rapids/falls that by summer would be gone.  Slowly but surely the sound of the river got louder until we finally arrived at one of the highlights for this trail segment - Takelma Gorge.

Takelma Gorge - WOW!!!!!

The area gets its name from the Upland Takelma Tribe.  This war-like band was dubbed “Rogues” by early French trappers and later “Rogue River Indians.” The gorge itself was formed when Crater Lake’s active volcano filled the valley with lava and ash. The river then created this narrow passage, carving out the gorge which now features cliffs 150 feet high.

The south end of Takelma Gorge

Halfway through our hike we stopped at the River Bridge Campground which is currently closed for camping, but provided us a place to stop and eat.  We sat around and told old hiking and camping stories while Katie worked on begging for our food.

View up river at the bridge - River Bridge Campground

Onward to North Fork Park......

As we continued on the trail we periodically saw Snow Queen flowers, the only flower we would see on this hike.  We also got to see British Soldiers on a tree stump.  Just to clarify, British Soldiers are a green lichen with a red head – we were not being invaded by England.  Our pictures did not turn out so good, so please click on the link to see pictures of each.

Since trail cleanup had not taken place yet, we did have lots of tree-fall across the trail and twice we had to navigate off trail to get around the blockage.  See the picture below for the worst encounter – yes, there is a trail going through that mess.

Yes, the trail goes through that!!!!

The Rogue River had its’ moments along this last 5-mile section, but eventually settled down to a calm slow flow as it came to the North Fork Park where there is a small reservoir.  This park is a great place to picnic & swim, but for us, it was the end of an awesome day of hiking.

Slower water as we near North Fork Park & the end of our 11 mile hike.

After a short shuttle drive back to Woodruff Bridge, we packed up and headed for Phil’s Frosty in Shady Cove for malts and shakes – ah yes, the reward for a hike well done!!

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

P.S.  Be sure to check out Richard's website for his take on this hike.