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