Where is the Trail: The trail, #1522, starts and ends at Hemlock Lake which is 32 miles south of Glade and 15 miles west of Road 28 on Road 27.  Travel time is 2hrs 55 minutes and 140 miles via Roseberg and Glade, and 2 hrs 45 minutes to travel 105 miles via Teller and Road 27. 

What kind of trail: The trail is a flower lover's bonanza with 12 meadows of flowers, some of which are hundreds of yards long. There is also deep forest and considerable elevation gain. The forests are majestic and there are a couple of big viewpoints, one at 5,200 feet. A second viewpoint is 3/4 miles off the trail on a very steep side trail. The trail passes Hemlock Lake, an artificial lake with fishing. There is campground, picnic area, good parking and good signage. 

How to get there: Via Teller. Turn left onto Road 27, 21 miles north of Teller on Road 28. The road is passable and in decent condition but in ascending Quartz Mountain it narrows and 20 MPH is the max so it takes 45 minutes to go 15 miles. Via Roseburg: Take the North Umpqua Highway from Roseberg 15 miles to Glad then south on Little River Road to Road 27 for 32 miles. The Road to the TH is 495 but there is no road number so just follow the sign for the Hemlock Lake Campground and over the dam to the picnic and parking areas. Coming from Road 28 you will pass a turnoff to the boat launch first. There are toilet facilities next to the TH. 

How good is the trail? Endless wildflowers in the meadows, some good hills to climb, some big views and attractive forests. Advertised as 5 1/2 miles but seemed more like 6.7 miles. To be confirmed. Taking the side trail adds 1 1/2 miles and a lot of climb. Will do it again sometime.

Other Thoughts: We saw numerous other trails intersecting with Yellowjacket Loop so more scouting to be done. A long drive so it requires adequate curiosity and/or love of flowers, or as part of an overnight tour. Tip: Start the Loop from the sign board next to the parking area, doing it in a counter-clockwise direction. At every intersection you will bear left. Most are marked by signs, some on the ground, but if not it is always left. Later in the Loop there is a big viewpoint in the woods and the choice of 2 trails, both unmarked. Go left, always left.

John and Jerry

Track download: Hemlock Lake 6-30-20.gpx