Lower Rogue – Grave Creek to Whiskey Creek

Our long stretch of “hiking luck” continued Monday as we saw sun on the bridge as we approached Grave Creek parking. We’d noticed that the forecast for the Lower Rogue was slightly improving as we neared hike day and the trend continued on Monday. So instead of “a chance of rain with a high of 48” we enjoyed mostly sunny skies with highs in the 60s and not a drop of rain.

We set out at 10 AM; there was a lot of activity on the river and the trail. Before we started, a group of about 10 headed down the trail ahead of us but we only saw them leaving as we were approaching our lunch spot along the river at Whiskey Creek. And we still saw some rafts and boats heading down river.

At our quiet lunch spot we could chat with the rafters passing us down stream. One guy who was standing up in his raft casting off said he had just caught a three foot Steelhead. We saw some jumping in the river!

At lunch, Liz and I relaxed in the sun by the water, while Randy took Gary to see Lou Martin’s Whisky Cabin.

Before the hike back I decided to take off my “Take a Hike” sweatshirt as the canyon walls were warming a bit in the afternoon sun.

So we had another great day on the trail and were able to escape rain and any first snow at higher elevations.

Today’s hike was 7.5 miles RT with a gain of 1,200′.

For refreshments, Liz suggested a nice little Mexican restaurant, “Taqueria La Guacamaya” in the town of Rogue River on the way back.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Randy