Backpack - Rogue River National Recreation Trail

7:45am Foster Bar campground / Big Bar trailhead (1 hr from Gold Beach via Agness, or 5 mi from Agness Rogue River RV Park)

Directions from Gold Beach:  take CR 595  10 miles west to FS 33. Continue 21 miles to CR 375. Turn north go 5.4 miles to the Foster Bar trailhead.  Paved road to Foster Bar.

 NOTE (9/10):  Rogue backpack will be canceled or postponed (Oct. later or 2021) at least 1 week prior to trip if hazardous or poor weather forecast, unhealthy smoke/air quality, or active wildfires in area or near driving routes.  

6/25:  Trail and backcountry camps open.  Forest Service trail maintenance delayed but in progress, with clearing completed about mid-summer. 

New dates October 5-8; rescheduled from May.  

Members only.  Minimum 3 persons.

Leader permission requests required using permission link - include 3-4+ day backpack experience on easy/moderate remote trails (recent Mountaineers or non-Mountaineers trips), comfort with trailside hazards (poison oak, abundant black bears, rattlesnakes, ticks, potential high day temps), agree to Mountaineers COVID-19 safety expectations, and why you're interested in this backpack.  

Leader traveling in SW OR and will respond to permission requests after return.

Backpack 30-35+mi RT.  up to 1000' elevation change each direction, with up to 250' gain/loss sections.  Backcountry camps spaced 7-10 miles apart. 

Treat (filter, boil) all creek water sources along trail and at/near camps.  

Closed tents required.  Bearproof food storage required (canisters, bag hang) and/or bearproof food storage facilities provided at a few camps.  Carry bear spray.

Be aware of potential hazards along trail and in camps:  black bears, rattlesnakes, ticks, poison oak, possible hot day temps. 

Option for dinner or beverage/snacks at Paradise Bar Lodge or Marial Lodge.

Recommend accommodations, night prior to backpack - Foster Bar or other campground near trailhead, or motel/RV park in Agness/Gold Beach. 

Hike guides recommended for lower Rogue River trail:  100 Classic Hikes in Oregon (Lorain), or Hiking Oregon's Southern Cascades and Siskiyous (Bernstein).

Outdoor editor's trip report for Galice to Foster Bar backpack:  https://amp.statesmanjournal.com/amp/7658299

 Drive time / distance:  Seattle to Gold Beach 478 miles /9.5 hours; Portland to Gold Beach 305 miles / 6.3 hours.  Add 1 hour for Gold Beach  to Foster Bar campground/trailhead.  

Group will stay together and hike at the speed of the slowest participant.  Arrive at meeting place 10 minutes early and fully prepared.

COVID-19 NOTES

• This trip is Phase 2 (OR destination).  OR  Phase 2 similar to WA Phase 3
  
• All participants must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct.
• All participants must bring hand sanitizer and a mask that you can quickly raise and lower as needed on the trail (usually a bandana).
• No tent/gear sharing or carpooling (unless related or household member).
• Cancel if you're feeling sick for any reason.