Wild Rogue Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Mule Creek South Trailhead
- End point: Mule Creek South Trailhead
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 29.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 3,700 feet
- High Point: 3,800 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Spring & Fall are best; can be too hot in summer
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
This newly restored loop connects the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s Mule Creek Trail #1159, Panther Ridge Trail #1253, Clay Hill Trail #1160A, and the Rogue River Trail #1160. Before the summer of 2015, many trail miles had been been seriously eroded by time and lack of maintenance, while other trail sections were brushed in and full of downed logs killed by the 2005 Blossom Fire. The Siskiyou Mountain Club crews restored the entire loop in 2015, and maintained the Rogue River Trail from Marial to Foster Bar. This 29-mile backpacking loop has five trailheads, offering a number of day hikes as well, like to a massive outcrop called Hanging Rock that looms over the wilderness. The route features the pristine gorges of Mule Creek, old growth havens of Panther Ridge, oak and pine savanna of Clay Hill, and, of course, the Rogue River itself. One trailhead is near the historic Rogue River Ranch, another is at Foster Bar near Agness, Oregon and three others are accessed from Eden Valley, accessible from either of Agness and Powers, Oregon.
This loop through the northeast quadrant of the Wild Rogue Wilderness can be done either clockwise or counter-clockwise or as a lollipop from Foster Bar or Grave Creek, but the description below assumes you're going counter-clockwise starting from Tucker Flat. Going this direction - particularly during periods of high water - allows you to see if the two crossings of Mule Creek are possible before you're too far into the loop. These creek crossings can be very dangerous or impassable during high water! Going this direction you hike down, not up, the Clay Hill Trail, which seems to be the less arduous option.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Wild Rogue Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Wild Rogue Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- None
More Links
- Directions to Tucker Flat from Galice
- Mule Creek South Trailhead
- Mule Creek Trail #1159 (BLM)
- Buck Point Trailhead
- Panther Ridge Trail #1253
- Hanging Rock Trailhead
- Clay Hill Trailhead
- Clay Hill Trail #1160A
- Rogue River Trail #1160
- Devils Backbone Trail #1162
Page Contributors
- VanMarmot (creator)