Monday morning started with bright sunlight in Ashland, but then we ran into periods of fog from the Rogue as we headed up I-5. But when we reached the Grave Creek Bridge, the fog had cleared, and we were able to drive up to the Rainie Falls Overlook and view the Falls some 800' down in the river canyon.
As we were getting ready to hike the Rainie Falls trail, we met Nate, the Rogue River Ranger, still helping hikers and rafters despite being laid off by the rogue government.
The trail is short but rocky, just 4+ miles out and back. Hiking poles and good balance are recommended for this hike. The sign at the TH explained that Chinook and Coho Salmon swam up the Rogue in the Fall to spawn.
Wildfire came to the Lower Rogue in September in the form of the Moon Complex fire and closed access for a few weeks. The trails that the AHG hike on both sides of the Rogue were not damaged by the fire, but further down the river, by the Rogue River Ranch crews are still working to restore the trail.
As we started our hike to the Falls, I pointed out rock slides and where crews had restored this trail that was damaged by the Rum Creek fire in August 2022. Falling boulders and burnt trees had taken out parts of the trail, and 17 retaining walls were built to reopen the trail after two years of closure.
We followed the sound of rushing white water to Rainie Falls and settled down there for lunch at noon. Some of us were lucky to see a few salmon breaching the slanted Falls.
We also saw a few rafts coming down the Rogue, nearing the end of their season, too.
On the day, we hiked about 4.5 miles with a gain of 300'.
Some of us stopped in Grants Pass for refreshments.
Happy Trails,
Rich
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