Hiking Oregon's Rogue River Trail

By Joy Henkle

If there is such a thing as magic, it is surely found on southern Oregon's spectacular Rogue River hiking trial. Hikers from all over the world come to experience this protected trail...and yet you will rarely see another hiking group on the trail...true magic. This moderately difficult trail hike is unique because over the course of the four-day experience, you can stay each night in riverside wilderness lodges. Rooms are double occupancy; with hot showers and real beds. Superb family-style dining is the hallmark of each of the lodges.

Contracting through a designated Rogue River outfitter offers an alternative view of the wild & scenic Rogue River Canyon; guided trekking on the Rogue River trail. You get the best of both worlds: trekking through one of the nation's finest river canyons and the comfort of wilderness lodges each night. The outfitter packs your heavy gear in a river raft, provides a wonderful riverside lunch each day and a trail guide to ensure the group's safety. All you need is your daypack, camera, and water bottle.

The Rogue Canyon trail offers an excellent scenic experience as the trial meanders through "enchanted forests," open meadows of wildflowers, and dramatic viewpoints along rocky crags. Black bear, osprey, bald eagle and deer are to be seen throughout the canyon. The wild & scenic section of the Rogue was one of the first river canyons brought under protection of the national wild & scenic rivers act. So, today, there are limits on the numbers of guests who can travel through the canyon each day thus protecting this Oregon natural treasure.

The trail is well maintained and in good condition during the spring and early summer months. Elevation of the trail is below 1,000 feet. Grades are generally mild. On the first and last day of the 4-day hike you will find steeper areas with a number of switchbacks. During the middle of the hike, much of the trail is level or nearly level. A small portion of the trail is cut into rock cliffs with exposed drop-offs. The trail follows the river, sometimes near the river, other times higher up the canyon. The average distance covered each day is 10 miles with the second day being the longest hike at about 15 miles. The daily distance is a moderate walk for a person in good physical condition, provides reasonable time during the day for viewing the surroundings, photographing the incredible scenery, and enjoying a leisurely riverside lunch.
Your historic hiking trip begins at Grave Creek...the start of the wild and scenic section of the famous Rogue River. The first five miles of the trail are quite rocky...so wear appropriate hiking boots. You will finish the first day at Black Bar Lodge...almost a 10-mile day hike.

The second day you will see magnificent views of the river's rapids and come upon several historic sites. Near the end of this day's 15- mile hike, you will find the beautiful Rogue River Ranch. Visitors are welcome to stroll the Ranch's well-maintained grounds and look inside its museum (note, in the summer of 2007 the Ranch was closed but it is expected to open again in 2008). Just a little over a mile from the Ranch is Marial Lodge where you will rest and relax for the evening.

The third day gives you more spectacular views of the river...with a famous look at Mule Creek Canyon and the gorgeous Stair Creek Falls. Experience it all on this day with a cool walk through the "enchanted forest," and even try out the Tate Creek slide. You'll walk about 8.5 miles on this day and end your journey at Clay Hill Lodge surrounded by beautiful views of the Tacoma "still waters."

Your fourth hiking day is short but includes the steepest part of the trial with many switchbacks. Wear long pants to ward off the poison oak that is prevalent along the trial's edge. You'll reach your takeout point by early afternoon (Foster Bar) and, if you are traveling with a Rogue River outfitter, you will enjoy a 2.5 hour scenic drive back to your waiting vehicle at the Galice Resort.

Tips: If you do not own trail boots, it is a good idea to note the following specifications: buy your boots long before the trip. Wear them as much as possible to break them in. Good ankle support is important. A handy trick for insuring foot comfort is carrying a spare set of socks in your daypack. Clothing should be loose fitting and allow for full movement.

Joy Henkle writes on outdoor subjects for several travel websites. She also writes for the blog, Whitewater Rafting Blog She and her husband, Bob Meister, own White Water Warehouse

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The Oregon Tale: Traveling the State

By Jennifer Jordan

Oregon is a place that isn't known for vacations: it's not a large tourist attraction or an ideal spring break destination. It, quite simply, isn't famous. Because of this, it's one of the most modest of regions. If someone were to ask Oregon if it was a nice state, in its own humble manner it would probably answer, "Well, I'm definitely top 50."

Despite not being known as a hot spot, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Not only does it possess the naturalness of the Northwest - the land is paved with a tapestry of greens and browns - but it also maintains a sense of freshness, as if God is endlessly spraying it with Febreze. A place that quite simply has it all, Oregon is filled with mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, plains, and even an ocean.

There are few places in Oregon where you won't find beauty with the exception of the far eastern plains (Oregonians naturally refer to this area as "Idaho"). The state itself is filled with limitless majesty and endless things to do. The following is a list that will merely get you started.

The Enchanted Forest - Just outside of Salem, the Enchanted Forest is one of the most unique amusement parks of all time. In an era where parks are trying to obtain the highest roller coaster or the fastest ride, The Enchanted Forest has stayed true to its roots.
Located in an actual forest, this amusement park is perhaps one of the only ones around that is geared toward younger children: teenagers need not apply. It contains rides and attractions based on fantasy and storybook characters. Among some of the themes featured are Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, Humpty Dumpty, the Old Lady who Lived in the Shoe, and Hansel and Gretel. For kids who are a little older, there are also bobsled rides, a haunted house, bumper cars, and water rides.

The Oregon Coast - The Oregon coast isn't a place where you will find a slug of college party kids or girls aspiring to go wild; instead, this coast isn't your typical coast. In lieu of beach volleyball and bikinis, this coast has bonfires and clam chowder. The waters are often cold, too cold for swimming on most occasions, and people are just as likely to wear a winter coat as they are a tank top.
Because it is free of the typical coastal behavior, this coast evokes a sense of calmness and sereneness that other beaches can not possess. Going here for twenty minutes makes you feel as if your troubles could drift away, possibly carried off by a hungry seagull who mistook your worries for a piece of bread.
Oregon's coast stretches for almost 400 miles, from Astoria (oh yes people, home of the Goonies) to Brookings. This vastness provides people with several things to do. From looking at lighthouses to shopping in boutiques, from whale watching to deep sea fishing, the Oregon coast is perfect for those with eclectic tastes. People may find enjoyment taking a scenic drive or staying at a beachfront hotel. Others may find certain attractions - such as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Sea Lion Caves in Florence - more appealing. No matter what you find to do, you'll find that the Oregon Coast is a sure, or shore, bet.
Mt. Hood - Mt. Hood might not be the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, but you probably won't mind. Home to four ski areas - including the only ski area in North America that is open year round - Mt. Hood is filled with volcanic slopes, valleys, and rivers. Perhaps the furthest thing from skiing, fruit growing is also something this region is famous for. From grapes to apples, from blueberries to pears and apricots, the only thing you can't grow here is bored.

After a day on the slopes or a day of harvest, many travelers find their experience continues at the Columbia River Gorge, right nearby. This is arguably one of the most magnificent places in the nation: it's as if verses of America the Beautiful were written with this gorge in mind. Containing Multnomah Falls, one of the 77 waterfalls in the area, visitors here can't help but ask, "Niagara who?" Six hundred and twenty feet high, there are only three other waterfalls in the country that are higher.

The Willamette Valley - For people who like wine, otherwise known as people who are breathing, the Willamette Valley is a great place to visit. Located roughly 100 miles south of Portland, this valley is filled with rolling green hills, country lanes, and covered bridges. It reminds people of a simpler time of life, when neighbors said hello, people helped each other, and farmers' markets existed instead of Wal-Mart's.
Three quarters of Oregon's wine comes from the Willamette Valley: this is a valley known not only for some of the best Oregonian wine, but some of the best wine everywhere. Over 200 wineries are located here, waiting to offer the thirsty traveler a little taste of Oregon in the form of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.

The Shakespeare Festival - Where art thou Good Theater? Tis in Oregon The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, located in Southern Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit theaters in the country. Tony Award-winning, this festival operates on an eight and a half month basis, producing eleven shows at a time in three theaters. Annually, this theater is home to over 780 performances and 360,000 patrons. For those who like literature, there is no better place to see Shakespeare's words come to life.

Oregon is one of the best places to go for a laidback, unique vacation. It offers people a chance to experience a variety of things in an eclectic environment. Simply put, it is an Oregon trail of fun.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for www.milleniumlimo.com. Having been to a variety of countries - and Wyoming more time than she can count - her travel column can be found at the Millenium limo website.

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Jump Off Joe Creek

Here are a few pictures from a little adventure Myself and Michele went on. This adventure was less then a 50 mile round trip from our home in Grants Pass. Four wheel drive was not necessary, but tall ground clearance was because of rocks. It starts of on Jump off Joe Road and ends up in a old mining town of Golden outside of Wolf Creek Oregon.

The Flying Fish of Rainie Falls.

 

By A.J. Klott

It is early fall here in Southern Oregon.
The trees are full of color, and so are the rivers and streams.
If you have ever wanted to witness firsthand the majesty, power and persistence of Salmon and Steelhead, then you owe it to yourself to jump in your car, hop the next train or bus, or take to the air on the the next plane to Medford Oregon. And don't forget your hiking boots.
The Rogue river is home to one of the last great runs of native Salmon and Steelhead in the lower forty-eight, and the wild and scenic section of the Rogue is home to Rainie Falls.To get to Rainie Falls you will have to drive to the town of Merlin on past the hamlet of Galice, and park at the trailhead on the south side of the river just before the Graves creek bridge, which is the start of the wild and scenic section of the Rogue River. Rainie Falls, which at this time of year takes a ten foot plunge over boulders and rocks, and works itself into a solid class five river rating, looks pretty much impossible to navigate from either direction.Most floaters portage around the falls or take and line their boats and rafts down the "fish ladder" on the north side of the river. However, if you are willing to take the two mile hike to this small but natural wonder, you will be rewarded with one of the finest spectacles on this here earth.
The leaping of Salmon and Steelhead as they try and climb the thundering falls is a sight to see.
For most folks, the closest they will get to witnessing this incredible display of fortitude, will be when they pick up the remote and flip over to the National Geographic channel just in time to see a slow -mo, one dimensional group of pixels hurl itself into the air. Tail flapping, body contorted and trying to stretch itself over a natural barrier--which didn't seem like such a big deal on the way downstream.
All this so they can pro-create and DIE.
Of course the Steelhead just do this to pro-create, so they might be a little higher up on the fish IQ chain.
Now, if I were a Salmon and I reach the falls - I think to myself- 'Why do I want to exhaust myself dodging sea lions, boat motors, fishing lines, ten foot falls, water borne fungus which can destroy my gills and prematurely end my "fishy sex" run,and even more fishing lines,-- just to bury some eggs in the rocks and wait for Mr. Right to come by and spray his fish manhood on my little darlings.'
If it were me, I take a couple of half hearted jumps at the falls, call it good and head back to sea for another three years of gorging myself on fish and ocean adventure.
But thats's just me.
The fish of the Rogue River have different intentions and God bless them for the effort they make to keep the species in tact.
On this early fall day the fish are extremely active and it almost seems like some sort of pescatorial Olympics is taking place here at the falls. At times, four to six fish can be found at one time in the air. These are big fish too, some going as big as fifty pounds.
It seems like each fish has his own method of attacking the ten foot height, some go into a high arching rainbow leap, some fire themselves into the falls like a bullet, and some flip in the air in a "Fosbury " style flop. (Incidently, the legendary Dick Fosbury grew up in Medford--I wonder if he got his jumping style from watching the Salmon??)
Over and over, the fish relentlessly try and maneuver over the falls.
Some hit the rocks on the side, some Steelhead seem to have there own spot where they continuously try and hit a "crease" in the rushing water, and others mis- time their jumps and fall feebily short of the falls. On occasion, you see a mighty fish muster the power to reach the magical spot where they can propel their fins one more time up and over the brink to the upper level.
Amazing.
Think about it, these small- in comparison to ourselves- creatures have the strength to leap over a basketball rim. If you or I could do that we could quit our day jobs, sign healthy Nike contracts, and go fishing all day!! In fact,I think Nike should consider the "Slammin' Salmon" basketball shoe, complete with a smiling Rainie Falls Salmon--because I know I saw more "hang time" at the falls then Michael Jordan has ever exhibited on the court. They could even take the twenty million dollars they would pay an athlete, and put it towards Salmon and Steelhead habitat restoration!!
We must have sat for a half hour, watching the great acrobatics and trying to see if we could recognize the same fish who were taking multiple jumps at the falls. It is hard to believe there is such a great success rate, but judging by the number of fish that make it into the upper river to spawn--most do.
But, not before exhausting themselves at the falls.
There is no fishing at the falls, and if you intend to fish you must go at least three hundred feet downstream.
If you are still in the mood for some more strenuous hiking, you can continue downstream, but the trail is not nearly as worn, there are boulders, creeks and blackberrys to navigate through, and there is plenty of bear sign along the way. We hiked down to Whiskey Creek, and flyfished for a little while for some of the legendary half pounders of the Rogue River canyon.
The days are shorter this time of year so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to make the round trip-with our late start we only had about an hour and a half of fishing time, and made it out right at dark.
For the most part, fishing was just an afterthought this afternoon...
...The real treat this day, was for Salmon and Steelhead appreciation, and once you witness these great fish in their quest for a return to their birthgrounds, I defy you to not come away with a healthy respect for the Salmon and Steelhead--and perhaps for the great spirit and determination of species survival in general.

A.j. Klott is a writer of fishing humor and the people and characters that surround the fishing world. He also is peddlar of "Fly Tacks". Visit his website at http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

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Zany Oregon Festivals

 By Joy Henkle

The word "festival" was first recorded as a noun in 1589. Initially, the word had been used to describe church holidays. Today, however, the word festival denotes many different types of celebrations. In southern Oregon, that can mean a variety of themes. From an October glass blowing festival to an Oregon coast chowder feast--and every kind of celebration in between. The common bond is that all southern Oregon's festivals seek to provide entertainment. And that's exactly what they all deliver.
Southern Oregon's cities and tourism bureaus are often the sponsors of these unique-to-Oregon festivals. Food, music, and art celebrations seem to dominate the "fests" scene but even boats and children get in on the action. It appears that there is no theme too small or too narrowly niched to appeal to the masses of humanity who continue to clamor for lively southern Oregon entertainment options.
Cleverly named festivals abound. Names like "Art Along the Rogue" and "Art in Bloom" are both festivals that offer attendees a mixture of local artists selling their creations and encouragement in bringing out each attendee's inner artist. Food festivals such as Florence, Oregon's "Chowder, Blues & Brews" celebrate the local coastal clams and pair that bivalve food option with Oregon Blues musicians and micro-brews. Two food/wine festivals that are relatively new on the fests scene but are quickly becoming popular are the "Oregon Chocolate Festival" in Ashland and the "World of Wine Festival" in Gold Hill.
Music is also a prevalent festival theme. Medford Jazz Festival and the famous Britt Festival located in Jacksonville, Oregon draw music lovers from all over the United States.
Perhaps the most famous of southern Oregon's festival is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Located in Ashland, OSF offers world-class plays from February through October each year and lures theatre lovers from literally around the world. In 2010, while other art venues were feeling the pinch of the recession, OSF's ticket sales actually grew by several percentage points. This positive economic indicator shows what a powerhouse a well-run festival can become.
Southern Oregon's many annual festivals celebrate the seasons, different cultures, foods, wines, agriculture, and even vintage cars and boat racing. For a nearly complete listing of southern Oregon festivals, go to: http://www.whitewaterwarehouse.com/oregon-festivals.aspx

Joy Henkle writes on outdoor subjects for several travel websites. She also writes for the blog, Whitewater Rafting Blog. She and her husband, Bob Meister, own White Water Warehouse.

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