We had an idea for a new combo hike to two different falls at Lost Creek Lake. So Saturday, Jerry and I and the Bryans went out to scout the hike. We drove up Highway 62 across Peyton Bridge and left on Lewis Road to an immediate left into the first Lewis Road parking area. The weather was partly cloudy with temps in the mid 40s.

There was both excitement and curiosity in the group as none of us had combined these two hikes before.

We started by taking the Rogue River Trail under the bridge and up river to the moss covered boulders and cascading water of Hole in the Ground Creek. This section of the trail is soft from pine needles and occasionally muddy from run off onto the trail. Just under 3 miles out and back to the TH.

When we got back to the parking lot we drove about a mile down Lewis to the second parking area at a campground and had lunch. After lunch our day's adventure began as we looked for the correct route to the Blue Grotto Falls. To make a long story short, we had parked in the wrong lot and only eventually found the correct lot (lot #3) on our way back. It was only about a quarter mile farther down Lewis, but in that quarter mile we managed to add about two more miles to the hike. Going out and around an unnecessary peninsula and then on an old black top road that the tracking apps said was under water! The winter lake level had receded to reveal to us this abandoned road.

But after about an hour of wandering we found the Fire Glen Campground and the Rogue River Trail out to Blue Grotto.

The falls were going pretty good for winter and some of us went down into the grotto and behind the falls. Liz had told us about finding a way up to the top of the falls , so Linda headed up through the hillside followed by Jerry with my stick and Randy. They all managed to get up the steep track to the top and got some nice pics.

As the sun was setting, we scouted our way back to the cars and found the marked trail back and TH.

The Blue Grotto section is 4.5 miles RT for a total of 7.5 miles and about 350' gain. A really nice hike along the lake that will be added next Monday for the group.

Happy Trails,
Rich