Lookout Mountain, Umpqua National Forest, Oregon

 

(Click on any picture for larger view and slide show)

 

NOTE: See the end of this article for directions to the shortest hike I know of in Douglas County with tremendous views of mountains in every direction!!

 

 

There are a few things that you learn as a hiker:

First: have your hike well-planned.

Second: Have a back-up hike planned, just in case.

Third: If the first two plans fail, then just wing it.

 

Ok, so you already know where this one’s heading …

 

After hopping out of bed with more enthusiasm than I do for work (imagine that) I was up and out the door greeting the rising sun on my way to said planned hike on this fine mid-March morning!

 

My planned hike!

A sign of things to come...almost stopped in my tracks...

 

The actual sign which almost stopped me...

 I soon found myself on an ill-maintained forest service road, which involved negotiating my truck under a fallen tree, stopping to move a few pint-sized boulders out of the way, and then wondering what I was getting myself in to when I read the sign at the trailhead which read “Caution: This trail is not maintained and may be difficult to follow”.

 

Ok, this sounds like a challenge.

 

What the heck, let’s get this hike going…

 

 

I was stopped by this quaint creek...

 

Minutes later, on my short walk back to the truck after taking a few pictures of the quaint little creek which I was unable to traverse, I pondered my backup plan. So, my planned hike was cut short by fast flowing water from a quaint little creek. I think my gps logged ¼ mile. I’m not sure now, I deleted it in shame.

 

Ok, on to the backup hike!

 

 

My backup hike was on the southside of the Umpqua/Tiller divide, with the map displaying a much saner trail. Things should be good, as long as I don’t encounter too much snow on the road which could prevent me from getting over the ridge. I just have to make it up the hill…

 

 

... and then I was definitely stopped by the snow...

...So, after turning around just short of the top and heading back down the hill, I was starting to hate snow, quaint creeks, and signs with ominous warnings. Yes, this is where I just wing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to wing it! Look out, mountain!

 

 I decided to check out LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, which by name alone sounded like the place to be on a crystal clear day like this. My sons and I had attempted it a few years ago, but after a long, uphill walk on the road due to a fallen tree across the road, and failure to find the faint, unmarked trailhead, we had called it a day. I decided I would give it a try today…

 

Ok, I think I can go that far.... that distance won't stop me

 I was once again threatened by snow on the road, but was able to park within 50 yards of the trailhead. Armed with my gps this time, I located the trail quickly.

 

The trail sign itself was posted PAST the timberline behind all the trees about 20 yards up the hill. No wonder it was hard to find the first time!

 

The sign said ¼ mile to the top. Really? I drove for 2 hours up and down umpteen miles of forest service roads only to hike a whopping ¼ mile??

 

Actually, by this time I was ready to skip the main course, which is hiking, and go straight for dessert...

 

 

Nothing's gonna stop this little guy!

The trail still had some snow on it, but not enough to worry about. With the rhododendrons showing their buds, but not yet in bloom, I eagerly walked past them to get toward the top.

 

There were several interesting rock formations on the way up, with one phallic-looking spire appearing as if it could’ve benefitted from a dose of Viagra. Reminded me of some fellow hikers I know...

 

 

Nothing stopped this phallic rock!!

 

Upon arrival atop the somewhat flat and rocky top which is Lookout Mountain, I was awarded with tremendous views across what felt like most of southern Oregon!

 

Lookout Mountain used to be home to a fire lookout, with just the cement pillars remaining.

 

The views never stopped from up here

 I could easily see Mt Bailey and Mt Thielsen close to the east.

 

Looking toward the north, 2 of the 3 Sisters were showing their peaks. To the south, I could see mountain ranges near Medford.

 

Looking west revealed the coastal mountain range just this side of the Oregon coast.

 



This tree stopped growing, but it kept it's graceful stance

 

 

A majestic view... lucky tree!



After much picture taking, I sat down and soaked in the views, thinking that this must be the best, shortest hike with the biggest payoff.

 

A perfect placed for someone who just wants the views without all that hiking getting in the way.



Or someone who’s just tired of having their hiking plans curtailed by streams or snow-laden roads.

 

 

Nothing can stop this hiker from obtaining a great vista!...

 

 Hiking epitomizes the quote:

“It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey”.

 

I still believe this is true, in life and in hiking. The journey is like the main course, with the destination being the desert.

 

Personally, I prefer the main course over dessert...

...Ok, I did stop to go back and get my camera!

...However, I discovered on some days that sometimes it’s ok to skip the main course and just have dessert.

 

On this day, it was quite tasty :-)

 

 

 

This very short 1/4 mile hike is great for anyone who just wants a view of the mountains. Great for families, but be careful at the top!

 

Click here for GOOGLE directions to Lookout Mountain

 

 



Rogue River Trail and Whiskey Creek

A “surprise hike”. A “moderate to strenuous hike”. These were a few of the warnings, uh, I mean, descriptions of this particular hike on the Friends of the Umpqua Hiking club website. And the adventure began on the last stretch of road just before the start of the hike…

The mighty Rogue River

 

Early spring on the Rogue

Club member Edwin had planned a hike on the Rogue River for the club, which can be quite a spectacular place to hike. However, he increased the thrill factor by starting the hike well above the Whiskey Creek cabin, which required a slow, careful drive down a steep, rocky, and seemingly ill-maintained road. And calling it a road is really giving it too much credit.

 

By the time I had white-knuckled my way to the gathering area for the hike, I was beginning to think this must be the “surprise” part of the hike. Or perhaps the “moderate to strenuous” part. I think this little drive to the trailhead qualified on all accounts.

 

The Rogue River Trail

Knowing this would be a reverse hike (my term), meaning we would start downhill and finish going uphill, the group set off on this pleasant first day of March. A steep, rocky, and seemingly ill-maintained road (hmm, sounds familiar…) was the path we took to descend about ¾ a mile to get to the real trail, which runs parallel on the north side of the Rogue River.

 

 

 

Every step down this easy to walk road, at least downhill, was a reminder that there would be at least that many more punishing steps back up at the end of this hike. And yes, this road is closed to the public and gated at the top, so driving it is not an option. My hiking legs may not forgive me this time…

 

 

 

 



After reaching the river near the cabin, instructions were to turn west and head down river. This is where the purpose of Edwin’s abnormal and harsh drive came to light: Most of us had hiked from the Grave’s Creek boat ramp down to the Whiskey Creek cabin, but not any further. Today’s hike would put some new path under our hiking boots, which is always a treat. We would pay for it going back up that damn road, but hey, this was new territory!

We crossed several creeks on the trail

 

The weather was about as perfect as could be for this time of year, especially after a dreary forecast was predicted for today. The high, light grey clouds maintained a very unthreatening stance, and even allowed the sun to come out and play for short periods. The mild temperatures had everyone shedding whatever extra layers they had began with, tossing excess clothing into backpacks, just like you would yesterday’s garbage to the curb. We don’t need no stinkin’ rain jackets!

 



I want to camp over there!



As is usually the case, slow and fast hikers separate and spread out on the trail. Because of this, our other instruction was to stop around 12:30 wherever we were, eat lunch, then reverse course and head back. This would allow for all hikers to more or less arrive back at our vehicles roughly within the same timeframe.

 

 

 



Whiskey Creek Cabin

On the return leg, all the weary hikers took a quick look-see at the cabin, using it as a stalling point and an excuse to delay the hike back up the steep road. The road which would be the only bane element to this otherwise delightful stroll down the Rogue River.

 

 



 

 

 



So, one last push up the (say it with me now) steep, rocky, and seemingly ill-maintained road, and we were done with this “moderate to strenuous hike”.

 

Surprise hike complete. Edwin, you’re a cruel, cruel man.

 

On the trail

For Richard O'Neill's story on this hike, click here for the blog.

For more pictures of this hike, check out Richard's Flickr album