Woodruff to Natural Bridge

A sudden change in the weather from a sunny weekend to a cloudy Monday didn’t dampen the spirits of 17 hikers who turned out to view the Fall Colors along the Upper Rogue. We left most of the rain behind when we turned east up Highway 62 towards our turn-off for the Woodruff Bridge TH. We’d take the Rogue River Trail (#1034) 3.5 miles up to the Natural Bridge. Showers were intermittent but never heavy during the hike.

There were many positive comments about the brilliant change in colors from green to yellow, orange, pink, and red. The Dogwood trees and Vine Maples were leading the charge to Fall Colors along the river and the trail. Down closer to the ground the Vanilla Leafs had turned yellow and the ferns were now golden.

The sights and sounds of the Upper Rogue are always worth experiencing year-round. From the roaring of white water rapids to the silent calm of the clear pools.

On our way up the trail, we took the side trail out to view Knob Falls as it squeezed through a narrow channel.

We arrived at the Natural Bridge near noon and viewed all the wonders of the river and rock. The relentless power of the river over time carved out caves in the volcanic rock; spun boulders to drill out bowls in the rock, and rushed through lava tubes formed when the rock was still molten thousands of years ago and still jets through currents today.

But the main attraction was seeing the Natural Bridge across the Rogue. As a massive lava flow was cooled by the river a long lava tube of perhaps 150 yards formed to move the current underground leaving a seasonal rock bridge that the indigenous people used to cross the river for thousands of years.

After viewing these amazing sights we sat down for lunch before heading back the way we came. It was a special day with lots of smiles as we got back to the cars.

Next week we’ll do the Boundary Springs hike, which is the source of the Rogue River, off Hwy 230.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Linda, Randy, Rich