Difference between revisions of "Mule Mountain Loop Hike"

Latest revision as of 00:11, 4 September 2023

This page is marked as a Lost Hike. The "trail" may be dangerous and hard to follow and is not recommended for beginning hikers without an experienced leader. Carry detailed maps of the whole area and/or a GPS unit and compass.

Stand of old madrone trees along the trail (B. Hope)

View west from the saddle below Baldy Peak (B. Hope)

The lollipop loop route from the Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS

Start point: Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead
End point: Baldy Peak
Hike type: Lollipop loop
Distance: 11.9 miles
Elevation gain: 4,010 feet
High point: 4,625 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: Late winter - late fall
Family Friendly: No
Backpackable: No
Crowded: No

Poison-Oak

Rattlesnakes

Ticks

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 return amidst the lush, cool maple and fir forests along Mule Creek Canyon as the day heats up - and this can be a grueling hike on a hot day. Be prepared for ticks as well as lots of poison oak on the Mule Creek section of the loop: at least wear long pants, but light gloves and long sleeves will also help. The Mule Creek Trail has become overgrown in recent years so should really only be challenged by experienced hikers. Others may want to tackle this area as an out and back to Baldy Peak or Mule Mountain.

Note: 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. Old references will begin the hike at the closed trailhead, but one way to access the loop is from the Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead. This makes for a tougher, but still varied and interesting, loop hike. In addition, for a pure loop (2.8 miles shorter than this description), you can begin at the southern Mule Creek/Baldy Peak Trailhead.

The Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trail #918 trail climbs 1,200 feet in just over a mile - a "healthy rate of climb" per the USFS - then levels off across a meadow below Baldy Peak with views of the Applegate Valley and the Red Buttes Wilderness. You soon reach an unsigned junction on the saddle south of Baldy Peak with the Mule Mountain Trail (#919) coming up from the right (west). 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. The view from Baldy Peak is better than that from Mule Mountain and the ascent easier (no brush!).

Turn right (west) here and descend the Mule Mountain Trail for 3.4 miles to an unsigned junction with the Mule Creek Trail #920 coming in from the left (south). (Two miles before this junction, where the trail drops down to the right off the ridge, you have the option of continuing along the ridge crest to reach the summit of Mule Mountain. However, the ascent is very brushy, and the views are limited. A second ascent option, which involves mostly open country but more elevation gain, uses the big bald on the southwest side of the mountain - or you could thrash up along the ridge and then descend the southwest bald to the trail.)

Turn left at the junction, and descend the #920 to an old road in the canyon bottom alongside Mule Creek. Turn left (east) here, and follow the old road/trail up along the creek. The trail is not often maintained so expect some blowdown. In addition, poison oak flourishes luxuriantly along this section. However, the route is not hard to follow if you pay attention. The track crosses Mule Creek several times. The one tricky spot is where the #920 crosses Hole in the Ground Creek about two miles from where you turned off the #919. It may look like the trail continues up and to the right, but the Mule Creek Trail goes to the left here. From here on, the trail is a trail and not an old road. There are some huge old-growth firs in the upper reaches of this canyon which alone are worth a visit. After some solid climbing, the trail becomes an old road again, and soon thereafter you reach Forest Road 2010-300.

Turn left (north) here and follow Forest Road 2010-300 for about 100 yards to its end at a turnaround, the Mule Creek/Baldy Peak Trailhead. The #918 starts at the north side of the turnaround (look for a Baldy Peak Trail sign). There are great views, including Red Buttes and Grayback Mountain, along this stretch of trail on the ridgeline. The trail contours its way back to the unsigned junction below Baldy Peak, and from there plunges back down to the trailhead.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Mule Creek Trail #920 is unmaintained
Former trailhead on Upper Applegate Road is now closed (accesses private land)

Maps

Maps: Hike Finder
Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trail #918 (USFS)
Mule Mountain Trail #919 (USFS) (old trailhead)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Rogue River National Forest

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 (3rd Edition, Hike #63)
Where the Trails Are: Ashland, Medford And Beyond by Bill Williams
Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide by Rhonda & George Ostertag

Page Contributors

VanMarmot (creator)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Lost Hike}}
 [[Category:Southern Oregon]]
-[[Category:Moderate Hikes]]
+[[Category:Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest]]
+[[Category:Difficult Hikes]]
 [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]]
+[[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]]
+[[Category:Old Growth Hikes]]
+[[Category:Creek Hikes]]
 [[Category:Loop Hikes]]
 [[Category:Hikes]]
-{{Category: Entry Under Development]]
-[[Image:BigTreeLoop2.jpg|thumb|400px|At Vista Point, overlooking the Illinois River Valley ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:MuleMtnLoop5.jpeg|thumb|260px|Stand of old madrone trees along the trail ''(B. Hope)'']]
-[[Image:BigTreeLoop3.jpg|thumb|250px|Siskiyou iris ''(Iris bracteata)'', Big Tree Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:MuleMtnLoop6.jpeg|thumb|250px|View west from the saddle below Baldy Peak ''(B. Hope)'']]
-[[Image:BigTreeLoop4.jpg|thumb|250px|Woodland phlox ''Phlox adsurgens)'', Big Tree Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:MuleMountainMap.png|thumb|400px|The lollipop loop route from the Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS]]
-[[Image:BigTreeLoop1.jpg|thumb|160px|The Big Tree ''(bobcat)'']]
-[[Image:OregonCavesMap.jpg|thumb|400px|The loop shown in red ''(bobcat)'']]
-* Start point:
+{{Start point|Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead}}
-* Ending Point:
+* End point: [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]]
-* Trail Log:
+* Hike type: Lollipop loop
-* Hike Type: Loop
+{{Distance|11.9 miles}}
-{{Distance|10.6 miles}}
+{{Elevation gain|4,010 feet}}
-{{Elevation gain|2,800 feet}}
+* High point: 4,625 feet
-* High Point: 4,300 feet
+{{Difficulty|Difficult}}
-{{Difficulty|Moderate}}
+* Seasons: Late winter - late fall
-* Seasons: All year
+* Family Friendly: No
-* Family Friendly: Yes
 * Backpackable: No
 * Crowded: No
+{{Hazards|p=y|t=y|s=y}}
 === Hike Description ===
-TRAILHEAD: From I-5 Exit 30, take Hwy 230 west through Jacksonville for 8 miles to Ruch.  Turn south on Applegate Road for 12.2 miles.  The trailhead (with sign) is on the left (east) side of the road at Mile 12.1 and there is parking for 4-5 cars on the right (west) shoulder of the road at Mile 12.2.
+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 return amidst the lush, cool maple and fir forests along Mule Creek Canyon as the day heats up - and this can be a grueling hike on a hot day. Be prepared for ticks as well as lots of poison oak on the Mule Creek section of the loop: at least wear long pants, but light gloves and long sleeves will also help. The Mule Creek Trail has become overgrown in recent years so should really only be challenged by experienced hikers. Others may want to tackle this area as an out and back to [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]] or Mule Mountain.
-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 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.
+<b>Note: 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. Old references will begin the hike at the closed trailhead, but one way to access the loop is from the [[Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trailhead]]. This makes for a tougher, but still varied and interesting, loop hike. In addition, for a pure loop (2.8 miles shorter than this description), you can begin at the southern [[Mule Creek/Baldy Peak Trailhead]].</b>
-After parking, walk back down the road to the sign and the start
+The Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trail #918 trail climbs 1,200 feet in just over a mile  - a "healthy rate of climb" per the USFS - then levels off across a meadow below [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]] with views of the Applegate Valley and the Red Buttes Wilderness. You soon reach an unsigned junction on the saddle south of [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]] with the Mule Mountain Trail (#919) coming up from the right (west).  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]]. The view from [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]] is better than that from Mule Mountain and the ascent easier (no brush!).
+Turn right (west) here and descend the Mule Mountain Trail for 3.4 miles to an unsigned junction with the Mule Creek Trail #920 coming in from the left (south). (Two miles before this junction, where the trail drops down to the right off the ridge, you have the option of continuing along the ridge crest to reach the summit of Mule Mountain. However, the ascent is very brushy, and the views are limited. A second ascent option, which involves mostly open country but more elevation gain, uses the big bald on the southwest side of the mountain - or you could thrash up along the ridge and then descend the southwest bald to the trail.)
+Turn left at the junction, and descend the #920 to an old road in the canyon bottom alongside Mule Creek. Turn left (east) here, and follow the old road/trail up along the creek. The trail is not often maintained so expect some blowdown. In addition, poison oak flourishes luxuriantly along this section. However, the route is not hard to follow if you pay attention. The track crosses Mule Creek several times. The one tricky spot is where the #920 crosses Hole in the Ground Creek about two miles from where you turned off the #919. It may look like the trail continues up and to the right, but the Mule Creek Trail goes to the left here. From here on, the trail is a trail and not an old road. There are some huge old-growth firs in the upper reaches of this canyon which alone are worth a visit. After some solid climbing, the trail becomes an old road again, and soon thereafter you reach Forest Road 2010-300.
+Turn left (north) here and follow Forest Road 2010-300 for about 100 yards to its end at a turnaround, the [[Mule Creek/Baldy Peak Trailhead]]. The #918 starts at the north side of the turnaround (look for a Baldy Peak Trail sign). There are great views, including Red Buttes and Grayback Mountain, along this stretch of trail on the ridgeline. The trail contours its way back to the unsigned junction below [[Baldy Peak (Applegate)|Baldy Peak]], and from there plunges back down to the trailhead.
 === Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
+* Mule Creek Trail #920 is unmaintained
+* Former trailhead on Upper Applegate Road is now closed (accesses private land)
 === Maps ===
-{{Hikemaps|latitude=42.09652|longitude=-123.39483}}
+{{Hikemaps|latitude=42.0929|longitude=-123.0454}}
+* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd566713.pdf  Charlie Buck/Baldy Peak Trail #918 (USFS)]
+* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd566724.pdf  Mule Mountain Trail #919 (USFS)] (old trailhead)
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Rogue River National Forest''
 {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}
-* [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20176  Oregon Caves NM / Southwest Oregon hikes]
+* [http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23065  Mule Mountain 16-Dec-2015]
+* [http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20674  Mule Mountain Loop 23-Dec-2014]
 {{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}}
-===Guidebooks that cover this destination ===
+=== 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)
+* ''100 Hikes in Southern Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan (3rd Edition, Hike #63)
+* ''Where the Trails Are: Ashland, Medford And Beyond'' by Bill Williams
+* ''Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag
+=== More Links ===
+* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/recreation/recarea/?recid=70152  Charlie Buck / Baldy Peak Trail #918 (USFS)]
+* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/recreation/recarea/?recid=70292&actid=24  Mule Mountain Trail #919 (USFS)]
+* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/recreation/recarea/?recid=70288  Mule Creek Trail #920 (USFS)]
+* [https://wanderingyuncks.com/2022/06/05/mule-mountain-05-25-2022/.  Mule Mountain – 05/25/2022 (wanderingyuncks)]
+* [https://mailtribune.com/oregon-outdoors/hiking/introduction-to-the-wild-applegate-backcountry/. "Introduction to the wild Applegate backcountry" (Mail Tribune)]
+* [https://vanmarmot.org/2017/11/19/hiking-the-mule-mountain-loop-from-the-top-19-nov-2017/. Hiking the Mule Mountain Loop from Above 19-Nov-2017 (Boots on the Trail)]
+* [https://vanmarmot.org/2014/12/23/mule-mountain-loop-ruch-oregon-23-dec-2014/. Mule Mountain Loop (Ruch, Oregon) 23-Dec-2014 (Boots on the Trail)]
+* [http://ashlandtrails.com/hiking/charlie-buck-trail-to-baldy-peak/.  Charlie Buck Trail to Baldy Peak (Ashland Trails)]
+* [http://tablerocktrekker.blogspot.com/2015/05/mule-mountain-trail.html?m=1.  Mule Mountain Trail (Glenn & Carol's Hiking Adventures)]
+* [https://www.summitpost.org/mule-mountain-trail/280512. Mule Mountain Trail (Summit Post)]
 === Page Contributors ===
 * [[User:VanMarmot|VanMarmot]] (creator)

Difference between revisions of "Mule Mountain Loop Hike"

Difference between revisions of "Mule Mountain Loop Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Latest revision as of 00:11, 4 September 2023

Contents

Hike Description

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Maps

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this destination

More Links

Page Contributors