Lost Creek Lake – Takelma Day Use & Dam

We had scheduled a hike at North Elk Creek Park, but the presence of 30+ free roaming cattle called for a change of plans. Luckily I had driven up on Friday to scout out a shorter route at Elk Creek when I found our Bovine buddies in the meadow adjacent to our usual lunch spot at the Yellow Rock TH.

So, while listening to the Beatles channel, I found myself driving up Highway 62 towards Lost Creek Lake. The AHG has done at least a half dozen hikes around the lake so it was a challenge to come up with something new. While studying the posted map I came up with an idea for a new Combo-hike. First an out and back from the Takelma Day Use area along the Rogue River Trail and then the same on the William L. Jess Dam.

We started out at 10:15 and hiked for an hour though Oak Woodlands along the shoreline with great views of the calm lake reflecting brilliant Fall colors. We arrived back at the TH at 12:15 for lunch at one of the three canopy covered picnic tables.

After lunch, we drove a short way back towards the dam parking area for our walk across the dam. We had great views of the lake and surrounding peaks (Flounce Rock, Eye of the Needle, and Viewpoint Mike) and golden trees mixed with evergreens on the down river side of the dam.

Our group of seven had done 5 miles in the two hours before lunch and two more miles exploring on top of William Jess Dam. The weather was good with no rain and mostly sunny with temps from the 40s to 50s.

We all stopped at Phil’s Frosty for big scoops post hike.

Note: Liz showed us another bypass from Highway 62 right after the usual 4 mile bypass. When you come back to 62 make a left at the first light onto Leigh Way then right onto Agate Rd. You drive straight for several miles through farmlands and horse estates and a winery with lots of Fall Colors before returning to 62 through Sam’s Valley. A very nice drive with little traffic.

The November schedule will be up soon.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Jerry, Patricia, Randy