Hiking the Wild and Scenic Rogue River

Is winter starting to get you down already?  Dreaming of summertime?
Now is the time to start planning your adventures for next summer.  How about hiking the 40 mile Rogue River National Recreation Trail? 
The trail officially starts at Grave Creek, which is also the beginning of the Wild & Scenic stretch of the Rogue River and ends at Foster Bar which is 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Along the way you will see many different types of creatures such as Bald Eagles, Black Bears, Rattle Snakes and Newts. 
The wildlife and scenery are outstanding!


The Rogue River Trail in Mule Creek Canyon



If carrying a heavy pack with your sleeping bag and tent is not your idea of fun then you can stay at the lodges that are on the river.  Lodges such as Black Bar, Marial and Paradise usually have vacancies in the spring when hiking is at its best!

Black Bar Lodge

Another option is a raft supported hiking trip where you stay at a wilderness lodge.  On these trips all you need to carry is a snack, water and map.  The river guides will carry and make your lunch for you as well as float your gear to the lodge each day.  The best of all worlds! 





*All pictures by Jared Cruce

Wilderness Victory

Last month the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals put an end to the final legal challenges to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.  The decade of lawsuits that sought loopholes in the law for logging and mining interests is now over.  Oregon's wilderness areas are now protected.
This is great news for wildlife, wilderness areas, and recreationists! 

- Oregonians submitted more comments than any other state
- The Roadless Rule prevents new roads and resource extraction
- Almost two million acres of Oregon's pristine backcountry areas are protected
- 60 million acres are protected in the US

You can read the courts decision here www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/09/09-8075.pdf .

Osprey looking for a snack on the Rogue River.

Wild and Scenic

In 1968 Congress created the Wild and Scenic River Act.  It was created to "Preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations."  The Rogue River was one of the original eight rivers to be given Wild and Scenic status.
This act protects 203 rivers with a total of 12,598 river miles! On the other hand, there are about 75,000 dams that impact 600,000 river miles.

Besides keeping the river free of dams it also protects the land on either side of the river around one-quarter mile up the bank.  This helps to make the Rogue a great river to visit and whitewater raft on!
The latest issue of National Geographic Magazine has a great article on Wild and Scenic rivers if you would like to learn more.

*Photo by Jared Cruce.