Hiking Oregon's Rogue River Trail

!: Hiking Oregon's Rogue River Trail

If there is such a thing as magic, it is surely found on southern Oregon's spectacular Rogue River hiking trial. Hikers from all over the world come to experience this protected trail...and yet you will rarely see another hiking group on the trail...true magic. This moderately difficult trail hike is unique because over the course of the four-day experience, you can stay each night in riverside wilderness lodges. Rooms are double occupancy; with hot showers and real beds. Superb family-style dining is the hallmark of each of the lodges.

Contracting through a designated Rogue River outfitter offers an alternative view of the wild & scenic Rogue River Canyon; guided trekking on the Rogue River trail. You get the best of both worlds: trekking through one of the nation's finest river canyons and the comfort of wilderness lodges each night. The outfitter packs your heavy gear in a river raft, provides a wonderful riverside lunch each day and a trail guide to ensure the group's safety. All you need is your daypack, camera, and water bottle.

The Rogue Canyon trail offers an excellent scenic experience as the trial meanders through "enchanted forests," open meadows of wildflowers, and dramatic viewpoints along rocky crags. Black bear, osprey, bald eagle and deer are to be seen throughout the canyon. The wild & scenic section of the Rogue was one of the first river canyons brought under protection of the national wild & scenic rivers act. So, today, there are limits on the numbers of guests who can travel through the canyon each day thus protecting this Oregon natural treasure.

The trail is well maintained and in good condition during the spring and early summer months. Elevation of the trail is below 1,000 feet. Grades are generally mild. On the first and last day of the 4-day hike you will find steeper areas with a number of switchbacks. During the middle of the hike, much of the trail is level or nearly level. A small portion of the trail is cut into rock cliffs with exposed drop-offs. The trail follows the river, sometimes near the river, other times higher up the canyon. The average distance covered each day is 10 miles with the second day being the longest hike at about 15 miles. The daily distance is a moderate walk for a person in good physical condition, provides reasonable time during the day for viewing the surroundings, photographing the incredible scenery, and enjoying a leisurely riverside lunch.

Your historic hiking trip begins at Grave Creek...the start of the wild and scenic section of the famous Rogue River. The first five miles of the trail are quite rocky...so wear appropriate hiking boots. You will finish the first day at Black Bar Lodge...almost a 10-mile day hike.

The second day you will see magnificent views of the river's rapids and come upon several historic sites. Near the end of this day's 15- mile hike, you will find the beautiful Rogue River Ranch. Visitors are welcome to stroll the Ranch's well-maintained grounds and look inside its museum (note, in the summer of 2007 the Ranch was closed but it is expected to open again in 2008). Just a little over a mile from the Ranch is Marial Lodge where you will rest and relax for the evening.

The third day gives you more spectacular views of the river...with a famous look at Mule Creek Canyon and the gorgeous Stair Creek Falls. Experience it all on this day with a cool walk through the "enchanted forest," and even try out the Tate Creek slide. You'll walk about 8.5 miles on this day and end your journey at Clay Hill Lodge surrounded by beautiful views of the Tacoma "still waters."

Your fourth hiking day is short but includes the steepest part of the trial with many switchbacks. Wear long pants to ward off the poison oak that is prevalent along the trial's edge. You'll reach your takeout point by early afternoon (Foster Bar) and, if you are traveling with a Rogue River outfitter, you will enjoy a 2.5 hour scenic drive back to your waiting vehicle at the Galice Resort.

Tips: If you do not own trail boots, it is a good idea to note the following specifications: buy your boots long before the trip. Wear them as much as possible to break them in. Good ankle support is important. A handy trick for insuring foot comfort is carrying a spare set of socks in your daypack. Clothing should be loose fitting and allow for full movement.

Hiking Oregon's Rogue River Trail

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How to Choose the Right Daypack For You

!: How to Choose the Right Daypack For You

The Key to Choosing Daypacks

The main thing to think about when looking to buy a day pack is to understand what your activity level is going to be. Say you are going to use your daypack primarily as a means to carry your textbooks from home to class to work and back again. But several times a year, you also go hiking for a weekend with friends or family and you want to use your daypack for this too.

This is all well and good, except a daypack designed to lug papers, Laptops and textbooks may not be suitable for walking for hours, scampering over boulders or crossing creeks. You need to get a daypack that suits the activity you are going to doing.

Match Daypacks to Activities

If you are going to use your daypack for skiing, rock climbing, or cycling you will need to look at one that is ultra lightweight, may have a pouch for a hydration system, yet has room for your ropes, repair tools, etc.

On the other hand a travel daypack should be lightweight enough to be easily carried in airports, on buses and in taxicabs, yet have Storage space for a change of clothes, a camera, a laptop, and any other business Accessories.

Yet an everyday work daypack should be fall on the side of form and be stylish enough to fit into any work environment. It should lots of interior/exterior pockets for your cell phone, music player, keys, PDA, notepads and files.

Choosing a Daypack

Materials - Daypacks can be made from everything from ballistic nylons (like Cordura®), to hemp, canvas, leather or recycled man-made materials. But the most common materials are nylons, leather and canvas.

o Leather - Usually wins hands down in the style department for most people. Can last years if cared for properly and is "fit-in-anywhere" pack. It can be very water resistant when treated. But it does require more maintenance and upkeep than other materials.

o Canvas - Rugged and durable. Lasts a long time also, and resists cuts, scrapes and punctures well. It is more water resistant than nylon, especially when treated or lined. Loses points in the "pretty" club but this may not be an issue when used for sports and as a travel daypack.

o Nylons - A day pack in a durable nylon or polyester can last a good while if cared for. Is not as water resistant or cut/puncture proof as other materials. But can be found in a rainbow of colors, styles and forms.

Construction - Daypacks all come with certain items in common:

Shoulder Straps - Be it a traditional double or a single sling, get a strap that is well padded, is not too narrow that it "digs" or one so wide that it binds or pinches. Also look for a hipbelt, to transfer the weight of heavy daypack to the stronger hips and leg muscle and a sternum strap to prevent the straps from slipping down.

Once you understand how to pick a daypack to suit both your lifestyle and budget, you are ready to buy a daypack that is right for you.

How to Choose the Right Daypack For You

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