The Table Rocks

Trip

Day Hike - Upper Table Rock (Oregon)

Spectacular abundant spring wildflowers, many rare/endemic, for naturalist & photography interests. Sightings of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, lizards. Leisurely pace.

  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 3.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 720 ft

12:30p Upper Table Rocks trailhead, near Medford, OR

Local directions to trailhead:  From I-5, take Central Point exit 33 just north of Medford, drive east on Biddle Road 1 mile, turn left on Table Rock Road for 5.2 miles to a curve, and turn right on Modoc Road for 1.5 miles to parking lot on left.

 Optional hikes 8:30-11:30am, at Jacksonville Woodlands trails and Beekman Native Plant Arboretum in Jacksonville (nr Medford), for rare endemics and other regional species.    Variations of the Jacksonville hikes will be options following the 4/19 Lower Table Rock hike.  Info links in leader notes.

See "Islands in the Sky" on Upper & Lower Table Rocks at Grant's Getaways for a  3-minute preview at: www.kgw.com/mb/travel/destinations/grants-getawys-island-in-the-sky/114471357 . Spring wildflower bloom prime time is mid-April.  Good chance for viewing wild turkeys at the Table Rocks!  Experience the natural wonders of Table Rocks!

Extend your Siskiyou spring wildflower explorations - add 1 or more naturalist/photo trip days:  April 16 Lower Table Rock; April 17 Rough & Ready and Star Flat botanical trails; April 18 Upper Illinois River Valley roadside stops and trails, Eight Dollar Mtn preserve trail, and Limpy Creek or Waters Creek botanical trail; April 19AM Limpy Creek or Waters Creek botanical trail. 

Participants are responsible for arranging own accommodations.  Tent/yurt camping (Valley of the Rogue State Park or Josephine County parks) or motel in Grants Pass/Medford/Selma areas.  Leader camping at Valley of the Rogue State Park.  If you wish to stay at yurt, reserve ASAP.

Before registering, be aware of drive times.  Approx drive time (mod. traffic), add 1+ hours for possible heavy I-5 traffic:  Seattle to Grants Pass/Medford 8-9 hr, Valley of Rogue SP to Table Rocks 30min.  Carpooling encouraged.

Wildflower photos of Upper Table Rock & nearby:  www.pnwflowers.com/photos/april

Books recommended (leader will bring):  100 Hikes in Southern Oregon (Sullivan) for Upper & Lower Table Rocks, 8 Dollar Mtn, Illinois River Beaches, Grants Pass Nature Trails); Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Southwest Region (Horn) for botanical trails; Flowers of the Table Rocks (MacKinnon), and Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest (Turner & Gustafson).

Jacksonville Woodland trails info:  www.jvwoodlands.org/ .  Beekman Native Plant Arboretum info:  www.jvwoodlands.org/ , select link for "Wildflowers & Wildlife," then select link for "Flora," and highlighted link to "Arboretum Panel."

If time, consider exploring one or more other special SW Oregon nature destinations for scenic trails, wildflowers, birds & more wildlife, caves & more! - Agate Desert Preserve and Jacksonville Woodlands/Beekman Arboretum trails (both nr Medford), Upper Rogue River valley (nr Grants Pass), Oregon Caves Nat Mon (nr Cave Jct), Crater Lake Nat Park (snow travel in spring), S. Oregon coast.

Route/Place

The Table Rocks


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  1. Navigation
  2. Sun protection
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination
  5. First aid supplies
  6. Fire
  7. Repair kit and tools, including knife
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter
Trip Reports