Green Springs Mt. Loop Trail Report: Hiking in Ashland, Southern Oregon

• Length: 2.8 miles

• Elevation Gain: 337 feet

• Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash

Before I even get to the trail review, I want to tell you about the road up the mountain. It would make a great road for a James Bond car chase scene. The curves are numerous and tight, there are some guard rails, but there aren't any guard rails where you'd expect them to be. When you're driving up there, just take it carefully and slowly. OK, on to the hike.

Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail is about 30 miles southeast of Ashland and has a commanding view of the valley below. The last couple of miles to the trail head is along a dirt road with a few potholes, but my Subaru Forester handled it just fine. The trailhead parking is limited, so I recommend going in the morning on a weekday if you can. From the trailhead you walk along the road keeping an eye out for a trail on your left, it's perhaps 200 hundred yards from the parking lot and there's a sign about 30 feet up the trail that reads "PCT North Green Springs Mtn Loop Connector". The sign sits in the middle of a Y intersection and it doesn't really matter which way you go, as the trail is loop. I went right.

This puts you on a very, very small fraction of the PCT, (No, this doesn't qualify you to tell people you've done a "section" of the PCT. Sorry.)

Map courtesy of AllTrails.com

The trail is packed dirt and narrow. In the rainy seasons it's probably fairly muddy so be sure to have boots with good traction if you hike this in the fall, winter or early spring. In this case I had made it up the mountain when clouds still dominated the peak and so found myself walking through a grey, foggy forest that was dripping water on me from the accumulated dew. Being from England and having spent most of my life in western Washington, the conditions were perfect for me. However, I was a little worried that the sun would not come out in time for me to see the valley below. In the past, I've had other hikes spoiled by Mother Nature's penchant for disappointing hikers.

At about half a mile into the trail, look for a path going left, this is the trail that will take you around Green Springs Mountain. Continuing straight will continue on the PCT.

As I progressed along the trail, the clouds grew lighter and the sun made the occasional effort at breaking through. By the time I reached the first meadow, the last whisps of low, grey clouds were dissapating revealing the valley and puffy white clouds high above.

The first meadow has a grand view of the valley, but it's the second larger meadow that is my favourite. It has a view of the valley, and looking east you can see to the horizon. It makes a great place to take a break, perhaps have lunch sitting on the side of the trail, (I recommend spraying permethrin on your backpack, boots, socks, sit pad, and anything else you might put on the ground. On your skin use picaridin, DEET or lemon eucalyptus.) I took the time to sit there for half an hour and just watch the shadows from the clouds move across the landscape.

After this meadow, you're on the last portion of the trail back to the signpost. Take your time going through. Keep your eyes out for squirrels, listen to the birds, admire the brightly coloured moss on the trees, do some forest bathing, drink it all in.

I recommend this trail for anyone looking for sweeping, grand views, and a chance to get out of the heat in the valley.

Upper Table Rock Trail Report: Medford, Oregon

My wife and I have just moved to southern Oregon and of course, I have to hike the two most obvious geological features of the Rouge River Valley, Upper and Lower Table Rock. In this report I cover Upper Table Rock, Lower Table Rock report will be post when I've done that trail. First some facts about these mesas:

1. The names 'Upper' and 'Lower' don't refer to their height, the names refer to their location along the Rouge River. Upper Table Rock is upstream from Lower Table Rock along the Rouge River.

2. How did Upper and Lower Table Rock form?  Well, about 7 million years ago the land looked very different.  The plateau top is actually the river bottom of where the ancient Rouge River flowed.  A volcano near where Lost Creek Lake is now, erupted in a slow lava flow that filled the river valley.  It formed a hard and erosion resistant bed that as the millennia passed stayed in place as the softer rock and sediment around it eroded away and formed the Rouge Valley we see today.  So, the plateau went from being the bottom of a riverbed, to being the top of a mesa as the ground around it was washed away by rain, wind and gravity. 

At the entrance you'll notice a couple of signs that dogs are not allowed on the trail.  Dogs aren’t allowed because Upper Table Rock is one of the most ecologically sensitive places in Southern Oregon, and even well‑behaved dogs can unintentionally damage the rare species that live only on the summit.

It’s about one and a half miles to the summit and once we reach the plateau, there’s about a mile of official trails.  Please note that I wrote 'official trails', more on that later. All told, you can expect a four-mile to four and half mile round trip on this hike. 

Elevation gain is only 744 feet, and the trail is in excellent condition with a mild rate of incline.  The last 10^th of a mile is a little rocky but not challenging.

It didn’t take me long to break out my umbrella hat.  I saw a lot of folks calmy hiking up and down the trail as if it were a walk in the park.  Having done all my hiking in the Pacific NorthWET, this felt more like a grueling hike in the desert.

There are two benches and one picnic table on the way up to take in the views and sit down for a break.  Since the journey is half the reason for my hikes, I made sure to use them.

The views as you advance up the trail get better and better.  Mt McLoughlin dominates the landscape in the distance, and the Rouge Valley spreads out below you as you gain elevation. Don't be distracted by the sweeping views, take some time to check out the flowers, unusual bark formations of the madrona trees and the basalt outcroppings on the way up. Also, keep an eye out for snakes, lizards and squirrels.

It being June when I did this hike, the flora had progressed to its summertime colours.  The grass was dry and khaki coloured, and most of the flowers were past their bloom.  I’m looking forward to doing this hike again in the fall, winter and spring to see how the flora changes with the seasons. I'll be sure to post those videos on Amputee Outdoors and of course if you want to see this hike check out the video here: https://youtu.be/PdKS8CtrMEI

I found arriving at the summit to be a little surrealistic as I’ve never hiked a mesa like this.  Spread out before me was a perfectly flat landscape with just a few short trees along the edges.

There are three official summit trails leading to the south, west, and north edges. I went along the trail to the west. This leads you to a view of the Rouge River Valley and Medford. There are a few low outcrops of rocks to sit on and have lunch while you check out the view.

It’s quite a sight to look down on the valley with no trees to block your view.  Watching hawks and turkey vultures glide along the thermals below and above me was a treat. If you've brought kids along with you, make sure to keep them from the edge, some of it hard basalt, some of it is dirt and gives way easily and its long way down.

I mentioned the official trails, well, I found that there are many unofficial trails that are so frequently used that you can easily believe they must be part of the official trail.  There are low split rail fences to guide you, but they don't completely demarcate the official trails leaving folks to wander about.

Not realizing my mistake, (and the mistake or intentional hiking of others) I wandered here and there along trails until I reached the northern edge of the plateau that looks out to the other side of the “V” shape that forms the Upper Table Rock plateau. Beyond it you can see Lower Table Rock.

After taking in the view for a while I followed the north/south trail that leads back to the trail that brought me up the hill.  It lines up almost directly with Mt McLoughlin. 

I rate this hike as an easy hike with the caveat that once you're at the top, having sunblock, sunglasses, and a hiking umbrella is a requirement if you're a fair skinned red head. :)

Poison Oak and How to Spot It, Avoid It, and Treat It

Spring is here so we can all get back out there on the trails, (winter hikers never left them, but that's a different story). I've recently moved to southern Oregon where, unlike western Washington, there's Poison Oak. Knowledge is the most important thing we take with us into the wild, (see my article 3 Principles of Hiking and Backpacking), so I've done my research on it. Many of you may already know all this, some may not, in either case, it's good to brush up on the subject and learn about it.

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A Plant Worth Learning About

Poison oak is native to western Oregon and thrives in brushy roadsides, forest edges, dry slopes, creek corridors, and overgrown trails. It can appear as a low shrub or a climbing vine, and its leaves usually grow in clusters of three.

The plant changes with the seasons, which makes identification tricky: new growth may look reddish, summer leaves are usually green, and fall foliage often turns red or bronze.

If you see any leaves like these, DON'T TOUCH THEM.

The old warning still applies: “Leaves of three, let it be.” That simple rule is not perfect, but it is a useful first filter when you are moving through brush.

How to Recognize It

Poison oak is variable, which is part of what makes it so frustrating. The leaflets may be glossy, dull, rounded, or more lobed, and the plant may blend in with surrounding vegetation. In southern Oregon, it is especially common in sunny openings and along trails where people are least expecting it.

How To Avoid Poison Oak

The best defense is clothing. Long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes can prevent the plant from touching your skin in the first place. On hikes, stay centered on the trail and avoid brushing against tall grass, shrubs, or vine-covered edges when possible.

After being in likely poison oak country, treat your gear like it may be contaminated. Shoes, socks, pants, backpacks, gloves, and even dog fur can carry the oil that causes the rash. If you suspect contact, wash skin quickly and keep contaminated items away from your car seats, furniture, and bedding until they are cleaned. These bath sponges were recommend to me by a guy I met on a trail. He carries a couple in his pack and has some more in the car for when he gets back to the trailhead. You just pour a little water on them and then scrub down your pack, pants, hiking poles, etc.

What To Do After Exposure

Poison oak rash is caused by urushiol, an oily substance that binds to skin quickly. The faster you wash it off, the better. Use soap and cool or lukewarm water as soon as possible, and scrub under fingernails and around wrists, ankles, and other exposed areas.

Clothing should be handled carefully. Put contaminated clothes in a separate bag or hamper until they can be washed and wash them separately from other laundry. Clean trekking poles, boots, gloves, tools, and pet gear as well.

If It Reaches Your Skin

A reaction usually shows up as itching, redness, swelling, and blisters. The rash often appears in streaks or patches where the plant brushed the skin. It may not appear immediately, which can make it hard to connect the rash to the exposure right away.

For mild cases, cool compresses, oatmeal baths, and over-the-counter anti-itch products may bring some relief. Avoid scratching, since that can worsen irritation and increase the risk of infection. If the rash is severe, widespread, or affects your face, eyes, mouth, or genitals, get medical help.

When To Seek Medical Care

Most poison oak cases can be managed at home, but some situations need prompt attention. Seek care if you have trouble breathing, swallowing, or swelling of the face or throat. You should also get help if the rash is severe, infected, or if exposure came from burning plant material, since inhaling smoke can be dangerous. And of course, the best medical care is prevention, and that means learning how to avoid poison oak.

As with any adventure in nature, there are inherent risks. Avoiding them and enjoying a hike or backpacking trip relies on knowledge and carrying the right gear. Check trail reports, read about or watch videos about the trail or area you will be hiking. Set yourself up for a great experience by educating yourself and being prepared. See you out there!