Roxy Ann Peak - It's All About the Views!

Trail Report: Roxy Ann Peak — Prescott Park, Medford, Oregon

Length: About 3-5 miles, depending on the route

Elevation Gain: ~682 feet

Type: Out‑and‑back or loop

Estimated Time: 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on route and pace

From my backyard — and honestly from my whole neighbourhood — Roxy Ann dominates the eastern skyline. The peak stands at 3,576 feet and overlooks the entire Rogue Valley, from the Table Rocks all the way down toward California. On a clear day, you can even spot Mt. Shasta from the main viewpoint.

Before you even hit the trail, let’s talk about the drive. There are no guard rails, and the drop‑offs are serious. You’ll also meet quarry trucks going up and down, so stick to the posted 15 mph. It’s not a road you want to rush.

Roxy Ann sits inside Prescott Park, named for George J. Prescott, who died in the line of duty in 1933. There’s a memorial plaque for him at the picnic area. I parked at the second lot — the first one is more of a drive‑up viewpoint if you just want scenery without hiking. Keep in mind the park closes at 9 p.m., so sunset chasers should plan accordingly.

From the second lot, you’ve got two ways to reach the main trail. Head right for the Oak Trail, which connects to the Ponderosa Trail, or go left along the Loop Road to reach the Ponderosa Trail from the picnic area. I chose the Loop Road this time because I wanted to check out the picnic area. The road is dirt, exposed, and hot on sunny days — bring sunglasses, a hat, or even an umbrella hat, plus sunblock.

You’ll pass dog‑bag stations along the way. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed — and there’s plenty out here to tempt them off trail.

The views start early. Even before the picnic area, there’s a bench overlooking the valley. I always stop at these benches. I’m hiking for the experience, not the speed.

Just past that bench is the Roxy Ann Picnic Area and the Prescott memorial plaque. Off to the left is a split‑rail fence — go take a look. Behind it is a rock‑lined basin with stairs on both sides. It looks like it might have been a pond or water source, but it’s almost certainly a CCC or WPA structure from the 1930s–40s. No one seems to know its exact purpose. The picnic area itself has three tables set on flagstones. One table has an extended end that looks wheelchair‑friendly, though the uneven stones might make access tricky.

Across the road and slightly uphill is the Ponderosa Trail. This is your route to the peak. The trail is well‑maintained with packed fine gravel.

Not far up, there’s a spur to the left leading to an older picnic site with a stone barbecue — same vintage as the basin. It looks like it hasn’t been used in a long time and would need a serious cleanup.

A little farther on, another bench sits along a short detour. Take the detour. The views and cloud‑watching are worth it.

After a switchback, you’ll hit another bench with another expanding view. The higher you climb, the bigger the valley becomes. This trail is all about the scenery.

One more bench after that, and the trail comes close to Tower Road. Don’t take the road yet. Stay right until you see a spur trail heading off to the right. Follow it to a picnic bench with fantastic northwest views of the Rogue Valley. It’s quieter than the main viewpoint, so you can enjoy it longer.

Head back to the Ponderosa Trail and continue to Tower Road. Go right toward the cell towers, pass them, and you’ll find another picnic table and a shaded path leading down to der Höhepunkt der Wanderung. At the end is a bench and a jaw‑dropping view. On clear days you can see Mt. Shasta to the south, Table Rocks to the north, and the mountains beyond. It’s popular — only 20 minutes from downtown — so expect company. I had hikers stacking up behind me, so I didn’t linger too long.

On the way down, I took Tower Road and connected with the Loop Road to make it a loop. Good choice. Along the way I spotted a sign for the North Roxy Overlook, which AllTrails doesn’t mention. Curiosity won. The trail leads left to stone steps, a covered bench, and another viewpoint — this one looking straight at Upper and Lower Table Rock and the mountains beyond. It’s quieter than the main viewpoints, so I stayed a while before heading back. Eventually I figured my wife would start wondering where I’d gone, so I wrapped it up and returned to the parking lot.

Medford has some excellent trails with views in every direction, and this one is easily among the best. If you haven’t hiked Roxy Ann yet, do yourself a favour and check it out.

Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon Trail Report

Lithia Park is one of those rare places where you can simply slow down and let nature set the pace. You can wander as far as you like, turning it into a longer outing if the mood strikes, or you can stay close to Ashland Creek and enjoy an easy, soothing walk beneath the trees. On this visit, I chose the quieter path — no steep climbs, no dramatic vistas, just the simple pleasure of moving through a beautiful, thoughtfully designed park. And honestly, that’s exactly why it remains one of my favorite places to unwind.

The main path follows Ashland Creek in a gentle loop, one side up and the other back down. Along the hillside edge, you’ll notice a few side trails branching away. They’re technically outside the park boundary, but they’re easy to reach if you feel like exploring a bit more. If you’re curious, here are the AllTrails links:

• Bandersnatch, Oregon - 417 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

• Tolinda and Waterline Trail, Oregon - 357 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

• Hitt Road and Acid Rocks, Oregon - 302 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

If you’re visiting Ashland, Lithia Park is something you shouldn’t miss. It’s a perfect way to stretch your legs after breakfast or lunch. Starting from Main Street, you’ll see the park entrance at the end of a small loop road lined with cafés and shops — ideal for grabbing a drink before your walk or treating yourself afterward.

I began on the right side of Meyer Memorial Lake. (A quick note: dogs aren’t allowed anywhere inside Lithia Park except ADA-compliant service dogs, and violations can result in a fine. If you’re walking with a dog, there are designated alternatives nearby.) The first bridge I reached became an easy pause point — one of the things I love most about this park. Standing above Ashland Creek, listening to the water slip between tree-lined banks, you can feel the whole world slow down.

Lithia Park’s story stretches back to 1892, beginning as an 8‑acre space and later shaped by John McLaren, the landscape designer behind San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Over the years, floods reshaped the creek and vegetation, prompting restoration and careful planning. In 2014, the American Planning Association named Lithia Park one of the top ten Great American Spaces — and when you’re walking here, it’s easy to understand why.

Wildlife is part of the charm. On this walk, I crossed paths with squirrels and a deer; on other days, I’ve shared the trail with wild turkeys. Take your time — the park rewards anyone who slows down enough to notice the small details. You’ll pass a children’s playground, a gazebo, a small amphitheater, and plenty of benches tucked into quiet corners. Trees, shrubs, and seasonal foliage give the park a different personality throughout the year. (The trail shifts from pavement to packed bark shortly after the playground.)

I continued up to Black Swan Lake — no black swans, of course, but a few ducks gliding across the water and a shaded bench that practically invites you to sit for a moment. I stayed there for a while, just taking in the stillness of the pond.

On the return path, I recommend circling Meyer Memorial Lake before you leave. It’s beautifully landscaped and wonderfully peaceful. And once you’ve finished your walk, treat yourself to a coffee and pastry from one of the nearby cafés. It’s the perfect way to end a gentle morning or afternoon in one of Ashland’s most beloved spaces.

Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon is located off E. Main St. Parking is limited but you can also access the park from several other parking lots along Winburn Way and Granite St.

Lower Table Rock Trail Report

Length: 6.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 816 feet

Lower Table Rock is practically Medford’s backyard — about 12 miles out, maybe a 15–20 minute drive if you hit the lights right. Because it’s so close, and because the views of the Rogue Valley are ridiculous in the best way, it gets busy on weekends. But honestly, it’s short enough that you can knock it out after work in a couple hours once the heat backs off. Just toss a couple bottles of water in your pack; even in the evening this trail will dry you out faster than you expect.

I went up on June 18th, which around here basically means summer is in full “oven mode.” There are still a few stubborn wildflowers hanging on, but most of what you’ll see on the way up is that classic Rogue Valley khaki — dry grasses, dusty shrubs, and the kind of crunchy foliage that screams July even when it’s still June. Doesn’t matter though. The views still hit hard.

Right at the start you’ll see a couple of warnings. No dogs — and for good reason. The plateau is full of delicate plants and critters that don’t handle dog scent or paws very well. There’s also a reminder to brush off your boots so you’re not hauling in seeds from somewhere else. They even give you a little boot‑brushing station. Use it. It’s quick trail karma.

Bonus points: the trailhead has an actual bathroom. Not a port‑a‑potty. A real one. It’s the little things.

The trail starts paved, but only for about 200 yards. Then you hit the split: straight up toward the mesa, or right onto the Oak Savannah Loop — a mellow half‑mile detour. After that, it’s dirt and loose gravel the rest of the way. Heads up: that gravel gets a little sketchy on the descent, especially if your knees or balance aren’t in the mood to cooperate.

Most of the trail is in solid shape, but winter rains have chewed up a few sections. Some spots have lost their gravel layer entirely, leaving rougher rock underneath. Even with my prosthetic leg and hiking poles, I managed them just fine — just slowed down a bit and picked my line.

There are two benches on the way up. You don’t have to stop, but honestly? Take the break. Sit down, sip some water, listen to the birds, feel the breeze. Hiking isn’t a race — the journey is half the point.

After the second bench, the trail gets a little more serious. A couple switchbacks help you gain elevation, and every time the brush opens up, you get these teasing little glimpses of Upper Table Rock and Mt. McLoughlin. It’s like the trail is warming you up for the big reveal.

And then — boom — the plateau just appears. One minute you’re climbing beside a basalt outcrop, the next you slip past some brush and suddenly you’re standing on this wide, open mesa. A few social trails branch off, but stick to the main one to protect the plants and critters up there. There is a legit side trail to the left that takes you to the rim and loops back, but I was racing the heat, so I stayed on the main path.

That long, straight stretch across the top? That’s the old airstrip from 1948. It never really took off — pun absolutely intended — and by the 1970s it was abandoned as the Table Rocks became protected. Now it’s just a weirdly straight line across the mesa, slowly fading back into nature.

At the end of that straightaway, the trail splits again. I went straight, found a comfy spot, and just sat for a while.

And wow. Totally worth it.

You get the whole Rogue Valley laid out in front of you — Roxy Ann, McLoughlin, the Siskiyous — all of it. I stayed longer than I meant to, and I’d do it again. In fact, I’m planning to come back in fall, winter, and spring just to see how the whole place transforms with the seasons.

If you haven’t done Lower Table Rock yet, or if it’s been a while, go. Seriously. Strongly recommend this one.

This Lower Table Rock Trail Report will be uploaded as a video in the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye out for it on YouTube on the Amputee Outdoors channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amputeeoutdoors