Blue Lake (B. Hope)

Judge Waldo Tree at Island Lake (B. Hope)

Island Lake (B. Hope)

Map of the Waldo Tree hike (B. Hope)

• 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

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.

The Mule Creek Trail crosses a bridge(42.725893,-123.875141) and winds back down to a wet creek crossing that in high water could be a deal breaker (42.727990,-123.877346). Here the West Fork of Mule Creek braids through a narrow gorge, its crystal waters pool up into long trenches, and spill out over little waterfalls into deep gravel beds.

The trail goes up and down again to a second creek crossing, then assumes an ascent through mixed forests, along cliffs and scree slopes, eventually opening up into an old road bed with perennial water around five miles from Tucker Flat, a great campsite.

Eventually the trail opened to an old road bed (42.752842,-123.901405) and reaches perennial water around five miles from Tucker Flat (42.767147,-123.912778), a great campsite.

Start hiking up the old road and reach the Buck Point Trailhead (42.755899,-123.931961). From there ascend on Panther Ridge Trail 1253 through untouched forests and take a side hike to Hanging Rock (42.740677,-123.930244). After a quick break at Hanging Rock, continue southwest on 1253, which roller coasters its way through more primeval forests to the Clay Hill Trail 1160A, which is well marked.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Wild Rogue Loop Hike

• Judge Walso Tree Loop 22-Jul-2015
• Sky Lakes Wilderness Recap 14-Sep-2015

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Wild Rogue Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this destination

• Hiking Southern Oregon by Art Bernstein and Zach Urness (2014 Edition, Hike #45)
• 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan (Third Edition, Hike #46)

More Links

• USFS #976 Blue Canyon Trail
• USFS Meadow Lake Trail
• USFS #987 Red Lake Trail
• USFS #992 Cat Hill Way Trail
• USFS #3709 South Rock Creek Trail
• USFS #3759 Badger Lake Trail

Page Contributors

• VanMarmot (creator)