Crater Lake – Boundary Springs

We took a chance Monday that the rain forecasted wouldn’t be so much to spoil this special hike. With our rain gear and layers and a growing number of umbrellas, we were prepared for the worst but only got gentle intermittent showers.

The hike to see the source of the Rogue River at Boundary Springs is an AHG favorite and a good choice for Spring, Summer, or Fall. The trail undulates with ups and downs over ridges to provide some aerobics but it’s only 5.5 miles RT with 350 feet of gain overall. We were hiking through a forest of Lodgepole Pines that were stripped of shade-bearing branches in a wildfire some 5+ years ago. However, as we moved along the trail we were reminded of nature’s wonderful resourcefulness as we saw many thousands of green saplings springing up since the fire.

There’s a makeshift bridge of wet logs across a creek that we ensured everyone had poles or a helping hand to get across.

Then as the trail overlooked the Rogue we saw giant logs crisscrossing the river and majestic cascades and split falls as we neared the Springs.
We reached Boundary Springs by noon and had lunch as we marveled at the flowing water coming out from under our sitting logs to start a 200-mile journey to the Pacific.

After the return hike back to the TH, some of us drove 6+ miles back down Higheay 230 to view Muir Creek Falls for the first time. Its rushing whitewater in a forest setting with just a short hike down to the creek made it perfect for an added side trip on our way to Beckie’s.

Next week we’ll go see the Enchanted Forest in the Applegate Valley to experience the fall of the giant Maple Leafs.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Randy, Rich