This was a backpacking trip my friend Brian from the PWC invited me on. I had never considered hiking the Rogue River before. It was completely off my radar. I believe when most people talk about the Rogue River, they talk about it as a world class rafting destination or a good place for fishing. While it is both of these things, the hiking is pretty sweet too. Only around 5000 feet of elevation gain through the 40 or so miles makes it a very easy trail to hike. You'll be hiking down river so that makes it easier too. One should consider the time of year they come here as it can be very hot in the summer. I understand it can be a very busy place as well. Brian, being in the know since he had hiked this trail the year before, scheduled our hike the week before Memorial Day. The temps were almost perfect and we didn't have any rain. The crowds were practically non-existant.
I'm writing this report 2 years after the hike so the details of the trip are a little fuzzy. To help, I've included an image of Brian's itinerary at the bottom of the page. Accompanying us on the trip were Laurie and Renee.
Our first day was driving to Galice Oregon near Grant's Pass. We stayed at the Lodge in Galice that night. The next day we drove to Merlin which was just a few miles away and dropped the car off with the shuttle people who would drive Brian's car to the end of the trail at Foster Bar for us. They were also the ones who drove us to the trailhead that morning at Graves Creek.
The Galice ResortThe Galice ResortThe Galice ResortThe Galice ResortThe Galice Resort - Really just a spot along the side of the road. They have excellent food and live music on the deck out back.A good representation of the route from map I saw at the Galice ResortHere we are at Graves Creek getting dropped offGraves Creek Trailhead and its also a boat launch I believe.TrailheadLooking back from the first steps of the trail
Beginning of the trailBeginning of the trailBeginning of the trailBeginning of the trailBeginning of the trail
Whisky CreekWhisky CreekWhisky CreekI took this side trail up the the Whiskey Creek Cabin while the others continued to hike onI took this side trail up the the Whiskey Creek Cabin while the others continued to hike onI took this side trail up the the Whiskey Creek Cabin while the others continued to hike onWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinWhiskey Creek CabinAfter the cabin, I caught up with Brian and the ladies. They were stopped on the trail letting this rattlesnake pass.
This was to be our first camp of the trip and the longetst day of hiking.The site was pretty big. I found a nice patch of shade, pulled out my chair and started reading while I waited for the others to arrive. I could have set up camp but I didn't want to set up and then move in case I wasn't in the spot Brian had in mind. On this trip, I read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King. Apparently, going by reviews I had read, this was not King's best work, however I quite enjoyed it. It is a psychological thriller about a girl who gets lost for several days while on a short hike with her family on the Appalachian Trail. How fitting.Camp at Horseshoe BendHorseshoe BendHorseshoe Bend
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Back on the trail the next day with 7.6 mile to the next camp at Quail Creek.
There were lots of views like this on the trail but lots of walking in the woods too. It was a perfect mix of sun and shade.
Did I mention lots of creek crossings?
These rafters put in at Graves Creek. This section of the river is off limits to motor boats.These rafters put in at Graves Creek. We would see either these people or other groups off and on over the next few days and were about the only other folks we saw besides a few other hikers.The trail started goiung through these big grassy meadows. There were lots of ticks. I examined some of the big blades of grass hanging over the trail and there were lots of ticks on them. Keep scrolling and you'll see a picture of one I took the next day.
Approaching Zane Grey's cabin.Zane Grey's cabin.Zane Grey's cabin.Zane Grey's cabin.It was quite warm when I got to the cabin so I pulled out my chair under some shade and took a little siesta while I waited on the others to catch up. There is a good write up in the Seattle Times about the cabin.
The river at Quail Creek where we camped for night two.Nice sandy beach.
Amost sunset at Quail Creek.The bugs on the trip were not too bad. The gnats came out just after it got dark. Thankfully no mosquitos.I spent half an hour or so the next morning sitting by the water's edge. I remember this moment with a certain clarity as it was the first time on the trip I truly felt relaxed and in no hurry to get anywhere.
Damn ticks! I think the others though I was BSing them about the ticks until I showed them some. Brian did a tick check that night and he had picked one up that burrowed itself in his leg. I let him borrow my tick key and he was able to pull it out.
Beautiful trail.Beautiful trail.
There are lots of snakes and lizeards along the trial. This is a southern aligator lizard. It was hissing at me.
Another stop along the trail. The Rogue River Ranch. This place is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.
Another stop along the trail. The Rogue River Ranch. This place is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.Another stop along the trail. The Rogue River Ranch. This place is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. I took a nice break here.Leaving the Rogue River Ranch.
Our next stop was at the Marial Lodge. Brian thought we could sweet talk the owners out of a free coke. He was right. This place would be a great place to come to for a fishing trip.Our next stop was at the Marial Lodge. Brian thought we could sweet talk the owners out of a free coke. He was right. This place would be a great place to come to for a fishing trip. We only took a break here. Our camp for the night was a few miles down the trail at Paradise Lodge.Marial LodgeMarial LodgeMarial Lodge
Lot of snakes of all sorts on the trail.
First view of Paradise.
We were roughing it tonight.
Sign in our room.Doing laundry
Did I mention we were roughing it?We were seated at the hikers table.
Paradise Lodge was the most expensive part of the trip, but it was well worth the money. Make sure you book it well in advance if you plan on staying here.The next day we were back on the trail.Looking back at Paradise
Brushy Bar Guard Station
Another really nice looking fishing lodge.
Lots of snakes out thereLots of snakes out there. This guy was at least 3 feet long. Probably longer.This was the most cramped spot we stayerd at. I don't think we would have been able to get any more tents in there.The itenerary says this spot was called Flora Dell. It was a small site but very relaxing.I watched this salamader make a trek from the river to a small pool nearby.One of my favorite spots on the whole trip was right here.
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I watched this salamader make a trek from the river to a small pool nearby.I watched this salamader make a trek from the river to a small pool nearby.
One of the last places of interest on the map, Illahee Lodge. We were just passing through.
This sign represented the end of the trail, though we still had a little ways to walk on the road to get to the car.
Wow! Jay… what a great photo journal of our hike. Your pictures were amazing! Videos even better….so many evocative memories recalled. Thanks for your great company.
Wow! Jay… what a great photo journal of our hike. Your pictures were amazing! Videos even better….so many evocative memories recalled. Thanks for your great company.
Thanks so much for inviting me on this trip Brian. It was a lot of fun!
Nice travel blog, Jay! I’ll check out some of your other trip reports soon!