Difference between revisions of "Mule Mountain Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
− | <b> | + | <b>Because of a change in land ownership, the Forest Service lost its easement for access to this trail's lower trailhead on Upper Applegate Road. You can, however, access the loop via an upper trailhead still on public land: either the Charlie Buck / Baldy Peak Trailhead or the Mule Creek Trailhead at the end of Forest Road 2010-300.</b> |
This is the most readily accessible of the hikes starting in or near the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. Barring an unusual snow event, it’s open year-round. In the spring (April - June), there are wildflowers in the south-facing meadows (called "balds") crossed by the trail. In the summer, an early start allows you to climb the arid south-facing balds and twisted oak woodlands in the cool of the morning and then descend among the lush, cool maple and fir forests along Mule Creek Canyon as the day heats up. | This is the most readily accessible of the hikes starting in or near the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. Barring an unusual snow event, it’s open year-round. In the spring (April - June), there are wildflowers in the south-facing meadows (called "balds") crossed by the trail. In the summer, an early start allows you to climb the arid south-facing balds and twisted oak woodlands in the cool of the morning and then descend among the lush, cool maple and fir forests along Mule Creek Canyon as the day heats up. |
Revision as of 00:06, 20 November 2017
- Start point: Mule Mountain Trailhead
- End point: Mule Mountain Trailhead
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 10.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 2,800 feet
- High Point: 4,300 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Because of a change in land ownership, the Forest Service lost its easement for access to this trail's lower trailhead on Upper Applegate Road. You can, however, access the loop via an upper trailhead still on public land: either the Charlie Buck / Baldy Peak Trailhead or the Mule Creek Trailhead at the end of Forest Road 2010-300.
This is the most readily accessible of the hikes starting in or near the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. Barring an unusual snow event, it’s open year-round. In the spring (April - June), there are wildflowers in the south-facing meadows (called "balds") crossed by the trail. In the summer, an early start allows you to climb the arid south-facing balds and twisted oak woodlands in the cool of the morning and then descend among the lush, cool maple and fir forests along Mule Creek Canyon as the day heats up.
After parking, walk back down the road to the sign and the start of the Mule Mountain (#919) trail. The first 0.3 mile or so is through private land, so please stay on the trail. You will reach another trail sign once you cross on to USFS land. About 0.5 mile beyond this second sign, you will come to a trail junction. Turn left here (the trail to the right is Trail #920 and your return route). After another 3.4 miles, you will reach your high point, a grassy ridge on the side of Baldy Peak and a junction with the Baldy Peak (#918) trail. Here you have the option of turning north for a 0.8 mile round-trip climb up the ridge to the summit of the peak and some views of the Applegate Valley and Mount Ashland. You can also climb Mule Mountain itself by ascending cross-country from the trail; however, the view from Baldy Peak is better and the ascent easier (no brush!).
To continue with the loop, turn south on the Baldy Peak trail (not signed but there's a small cairn). It's faint at first but the tread soon becomes clear as it runs south below the ridge for 1.5 miles to an old forest road (FR 300). Head straight (south) along the road for about 300' to an obvious trail on the right (west) side. This is the Mule Canyon Trail (#920) that will take you back to that first trail junction you encountered on your way up. This trail starts off strong and obvious (the sign marking the start of this trail may be missing or vandalized) but has a few faint stretches once it reaches the canyon bottom - but it's not hard to follow if you pay attention. There are some huge old-growth firs in the upper reaches of this canyon which alone are worth a visit.
After 3.4 miles, the Mule Creek trail starts climbing out of the canyon (simply continuing down the canyon is not possible because of private property) and in 0.7 mile reaches its junction with the Mule Mountain (#919) trail, which you then take back to the trailhead.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Mule Mountain Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Mule Mountain Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- The Siskiyou Crest: Hikes, History & Ecology by Luke Ruediger (pages 116-118)
- 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan (Third Edition, Hike #63)
- Rogue River National Forest (Oregon) Location map (very useful for making sense of the forest roads)
More Links
Page Contributors
- VanMarmot (creator)