Trip Report

When the weather forecast for a major storm which included a snow dump in the mountains came to pass, the group pivoted to Plan B. Kudos to the drivers and everyone else whose flexibility and positivity made this revised trip so enjoyable.

We drove south on I-5, and left the downpours as we traveled over the mountains to Prospect where we met for our first adventure. It was a leisurely 2.5 mile hike through madrones, lodge pole pines and chinquapin to Pearsonnay, Mill Creek and Barr Falls. We also hiked to Avenue of the Boulders on the Rogue where we enjoyed the roar of the river, sunshine, hail, and the heat reflected off giant boulders. What snow?

We found the snow when we arrived at our accommodations at Union Creek Resort, just 12 miles up the road.... mounds of snow! We stayed two nights in two rustic but comfortable cabins where we ate well, shared stories, read, played games and laughed a lot. Darko and Angie’s lasagna filled us for dinner, and for breakfast and lunch the next day. Darian’s salmon dip, made with salmon he had caught, was a big hit, and there was no lack of desserts thanks to Richard, Sue, Brenda and Julie's baking skills. We could have stayed a couple more nights and not run out of food because the baked potato smorgasbord was so plentiful.

Our only cabin challenge was making coffee or tea as our houses were not equipped with teakettles or coffee makers! Fortunately a couple people brought plastic cones and paper filters and Richard took on the coffee making challenge each morning for one cabin so we were awake and ready for each day’s adventure in the snow.

Since the road to Crater Lake was closed (too much snow), we took advantage of the snow just outside our cabins. The folks with snowshoes walked across Hwy 62 and snowshoed to The Rogue Gorge overlook and then continued on the trail downriver. It was a beautiful walk along the river among towering old growth firs and young hemlock. There were a few obstacles, a small downed tree and numerous shrubs to step under or over, but it was a pretty easy trip. Rocks in the river looked like frosted cupcakes and the trees were dressed in white. It was a winter wonderland - in April! The sun came out briefly on the first day; it snowed 2-3" both nights. Some made it as far as the junction with Union Creek the second morning, thanks to the trail breaking and packing from the first day’s trek.

The 4 cross country skiers started out on the Rogue Gorge trail, but quickly realized it was not suitable for them. After exploring alternatives, Darian drove to the 1,000 Springs Snowpark which was totally empty. We skied 5 miles on well marked, groomed snowmobile trails; it was awesome!

After three days of hiking and playing in the snow, including some great snowball fights, we packed up and headed homeward. It was snowing as we drove over the mountains and back up I-5 at Canyonville, but the roads were well sanded.

This is definitely a trip worth repeating; just bring a coffee pot and teakettle if you stay at Union Creek! Thanks to Assistant Leader Julie for writing this report and Darko, Darian, and Linda for driving.