Now’s the time to get out and see big trees, flowing waters and blooming wildflowers
By Michael Dotson
Warm weather has arrived in Southern Oregon, and that means recreation is here. June is a great month to get out onto local public lands and trails, and there are plenty of hiking options for folks to enjoy with a quick drive out of the Rogue Valley.
From mountain wildflowers to epic swimming holes to giant trees, there is plenty to soak in on trails across the region. The staff at the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center encourages you to check out our hike offerings this summer (on our website at kswild.org/events) and join us on the trail. For those wanting to embark on their own adventure, I’m excited to share a few of my favorite hikes that represent some of the best nature this region has to offer.
For big trees
If you’re a fan of big trees and old forests, I highly recommend picking up Michael Kauffmann’s book “Conifer Country.” It features several dozen hikes throughout southwest Oregon and northwest California’s conifer forests, including hikes in the Red Buttes Wilderness.
The Klamath Siskiyou is a region known for its plant diversity. One of my favorite hikes to see big trees is the Butte Fork trail in the Red Buttes Wilderness. Located about 10 miles south of Applegate Lake in the far northern extremes of California, you can easily access this hike at the Shoofly Trailhead in the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. Over a span of 8 to 9 miles (one way), you ascend the trail gradually from the banks of the Butte Fork of the Applegate River and end up at Azalea Lake. Along the way, you can spy a diverse array of old-growth trees — from lower-elevation sugar pines to mid-elevation ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. As you near Azalea Lake and marvel at big lodgepole pines, Cedar Basin features some gigantic cedars lining a series of meadows.
For flowing waters
One of my favorite river hikes is quite popular in the summer, especially on weekends, but the views and cool water are a delight on a hot day. In the vicinity of Union Creek, the Upper Rogue River Trail has numerous access points across a 43-mile stretch of trail. There are several out-and-backs and small loops that can be done, and the trail follows along the river, where you’ll find plenty of swimming holes to enjoy. The water flows clear and cold year-round up here, so don’t be shocked to see water temps in the low-60s even on the hottest days of the summer. Along the way, hikers are treated to unique water features, such as Rogue River Natural Bridge, where water churns and turns through a series of old lava tubes. In late summer, keep a close eye on underwater sand bars near the Woodruff Bridge area. Here, you might find an underwater mushroom, which is said to be the only one of its kind in the world!
For mountain wildflowers
One of my favorite wildflower hikes is along a beautiful stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), several miles west of Mount Ashland. Big Red Mountain is a large serpentine outcrop on the Siskiyou Crest, and this 7-mile loop is best for wildflowers in early to mid-July. in some years, the bear grass bloom is quite abundant and makes this one of my favorite wildflower hikes anywhere. If you’re interested in seeing this stretch of the Siskiyou Crest and the PCT, I’ll be leading a hike on Saturday, July 6, and you can sign up on KS Wild’s website.
No matter where you find yourself hiking, or enjoying public lands this summer, please remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. Take plenty of pictures and leave only footprints.
KS Wild Side appears every month and features a staff member from KS Wild, a regional conservation organization based in Ashland. Michael Dotson works as the executive director for KS Wild. For more information go to kswild.org.
