Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Group

Change to March 29 hike

Due to a significant landslide, the Bureau of Land Management has closed the Rogue River Trail. Therefore, Terry has decided to take hikers to the North Bank Habitat just east of Roseburg.

We will start at the west entrance and head up Chasm Creek, eventually making it to the North Boundary Ridge Trail. To complete the loop, hikers can continue down Middle Ridge before taking Blacktail Ridge back to the trailhead for an 8-mile hike. Due to the elevation gain, which is unavoidable at North Bank, this will be a difficult hike. There are a myriad of trails here, so this can be a “choose your own hike” sorta deal. For anyone who wants to get additional mileage and finish up at the east entrance, shuttle options can be discussed the morning of the hike.

Cooper Creek Reservoir – March 15, 2025

Hike Coordinator: Rheo Wheeler

Narration by Rheo Wheeler

This hike was changed so many times I wasn’t even sure where we were going. We ended up at Cooper Creek Reservoir a good 6 miler that gets your blood flowing and your lungs working. Rainy and cold, but that didn’t stop 4 of us and Finn (the dog) from feeling better about ourselves and braving the elements. This is a pretty straightforward loop around the reservoir with enough ups and downs to make it worthwhile. All of you missed a good outdoor experience!

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Tahkenitch Dunes – March 1, 2025

Hike Coordinator: John Malone

Narration by Rheo Wheeler

We had a good turnout for our forest/beach hike with rain on the horizon. Fourteen in all with one coastal friend meeting us at the parking lot. We did this hike in reverse from the way I had always done it in the past, and saw a new and better perspective. We traveled up and through the coastal woods, being spit out on the sand with a trail somewhat following Tahkenitch creek to the ocean. Erosion has made the beach landing more of a scramble and slide, but the aid of a helpfully placed rope made the 8ish foot drop to the sands a bit easier.

Normally this then becomes a leisurely stroll down the beach to our next trail, but with an angry high tide (thankfully not quite all the way in) it was a stroll, punctuated with mad dashes for life to escape the incoming angry waves. Two of us got overtaken and got pretty wet, and one coat was lost in the mad dashing about, but all survived. Then it was back through the deflation plain and up to the Threemile lake overlook for lunch. First arrivals were treated to a bald eagle flyover, but it did not linger for photos.

After lunch it was back on a beautiful wooded trail to continue our loop back to the beginning of our adventure. It seemed like a lot of uphill hiking, but this was not a sandy trail so the going was somewhat easier. Total mileage was around 6-7 miles but we get more credit due to the uphill and soft sand. And no rain either, the weather gods were with us once again.

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Sutton Creek – February 15, 2025

Hike Coordinator: Lane Harris

Narration by Lane Harris

The Sutton Creek Recreational Area is a lushly forested area flanking Sutton Creek, which was mostly hidden by the thick growth. It was like walking through miles and miles of a vegetation tunnel, with some sand dunes sprinkled in here and there.

We departed from Alder Dune Campground with a threatening overcast sky and a chill in the air. The trails here intertwine in and out of the coastal forest and do their best to confuse hikers, as there are several intersections that make you stop and take stock of where you are. We made an effort to make sure the hikers out front stopped at each of these intersections so we wouldn’t lose those bringing up the rear.

Although the area to the east of Sutton Creek is a mix of dunes and forest, the trail that runs parallel to the creek is pretty much a solid tunnel of vegetation. In the warm summer, this would perhaps be a welcome respite from the sun’s rays. But on this cold day, the tunnel had hikers begging to break out into the open so they could verify that there was still a sky above their heads! In the meantime, there was plenty of lush greenery to admire and to pass the time.

We arrived at Sutton Campground where a few of us took advantage of the facilities. The hike through the campground is necessary if one wants to reconnect with the trail that leads to the Holman Vista day use area to the west. A simple task if you know where that particular trail starts. And since you’re in a campground and walking on pavement, it’s not like you’re going to get turned around and miss the trail.

After getting turned around and missing the trail, I had to look at my GPS to locate it. I’m grateful that my good-humored hiking friends were the only ones to witness an experienced and seasoned hike leader using his GPS within the urban confines of a civilized campground to find his way out. I can just imagine some camper seeing this spectacle and thinking to themselves, “Well, there goes a special kind of stupid!”. Fortunately, it was like a ghost town here, and any possible embarrassment was restricted to just those who know me and my humorous fallibilities.

Once we got back on the trail, it was almost all tunnel along the length of the creek. We eventually got to the day use area where we took a quick lunch and pondered the usefulness of having a GPS while hiking. At this point, it was just a matter of finishing up the loop and making our way back.

So, some more tree tunnel, and more forest-covered dunes to trek back through. By this time, our group had sort of fractured into smaller groups, but everyone knew the way back. By the time myself, Colby, and Richard got back to the trailhead, we saw that everyone was accounted for. It was a good day for hiking through tunnels, and it appeared we had finished just in time, as no sooner did we get back on the road than the rain started coming down. But best of all, my GPS wasn’t getting wet.

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More pictures on Richard O’Neill’s Flickr page

Mildred Kanipe Park – February 1, 2025

Hike Coordinator: Rheo Wheeler

Narration by Rheo Wheeler

We had a group of 12, brave the elements for our blue-ribbon hike, follow the blue ribbons, for a 6ish miler. We had dry skies, but very muddy trails for an up and down around and around oak savanna hike with varying degrees of distance by the group. Peacocks are the reward of finishing in the parking lot.

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Sunset Bay to Cape Arago – January 18, 2025

Hike Coordinator: Diane Rannow

Narration by Lane Harris

This favorite coastal destination never fails to disappoint! We had a great turnout on this one, as we made our way to the trailhead at the Sunset Bay day use area. During the short road walk less than a mile in, we walked right past where the road had given way weeks earlier. Vehicle traffic was prohibited, but it was open to foot traffic. While the regular car-driving touristy crowd was kept at bay, we still had plenty of company on the trail. This was not surprising, as it was a beautiful clear day!

We took in all the views that this place has to offer as we made our way toward Cape Arago. We forgone the steep trail that goes above the road and decided to just hike on the road. No traffic to worry about on this day!

After a leisurely lunch at the overlook, we made our way back, finishing up this 9-mile roundtrip excursion along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Oregon coast.

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North Bank Habitat – January 4, 2025

Hike coordinator: Brad Bishop

Narration by Brad Bishop

Well, well, well. Here we are again, another New Year’s Hike.

Thirteen lucky hikers decided to do the right thing and move their bodies and engage their minds on another North Bank New Year’s trek. We had a good contingent from the Grants Pass area come on out with us this time. Now that’s what I call dedication. Hell, I was hoping no one would show up so I could go back to bed.

After all the rain we have been experiencing my main goal was to make sure no one got swept away trying to cross a creek that had swollen. My original route seemed a bit too sketchy so I decided on a route that didn’t have any major creek crossings, but one that I had never hiked before.

As we started off confidently, within the first twenty yards we reached the first junction. I pulled out my map as our cadre looked up to see what direction their “leader” wanted to go. Only problem was, my map didn’t jive with what the trail sign was saying. As I looked at our expedition, I could see in their eyes a look of apprehension about their “leader”. Should I go on blindly leading them into oblivion or admit defeat and continue on a different path? Luckily, I had an ace in the hole. Calming everyone down, I told them to hold on for a minute. We have John “the legend” with us, surely, he would know the correct route. As I conversed with him, he assured me that the direction we were headed was correct.

Gradually we climbed up the trail observing numerous rivulets of water sometimes joining into small steams, but nothing to take concern about.

After a decent climb we came to another crossroads. Again I waited for “the legend” to make sure we didn’t descend/ascend into hell. After consulting him, and him instructing me that you have to orient the map to the geography, he said we were headed in the direction I wanted to go. And “oh, by the way, there is a kick-ass section coming up”. Uh oh, I remember from a hike a couple of years ago when John says there’s a kick ass section coming up, he ain’t lying.

So filled with confidence, away we went. Sure enough, in front of us lay the “kick ass” section. It would have been helpful to have some of the anti-gravity resources we have heard so much about recently, but we managed to conquer it with human will power.

With most of the strenuous part over, we jovially continued on. The drizzle and fog made for surrealistic landscapes, and conjured up thoughts of psycho killers or mountain lion attacks. The weather was actually helpful to vigorous hiking, and we spent our time investigating various tracks in the soft mud. We found peculiar forms – Bear, cougar, velociraptor?… or possibly a baby sasquatch wearing Crocks?

As usual, we came across nobody, except a lone hunter, and we wished him good luck.

We arrived back at the trailhead after a few of hours, and helped ourselves to some great Clam Halen Chowder and friendly hiker conversation.

Please join us next time, and see if your guide knows where he’s going.

Pictures by Rheo Wheeler

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North Umpqua Trail: Tioga Section – December 21, 2024

Hike Coordinator: Lane Harris

Narration by Lane Harris

Rain was in the forecast for the day we hiked this, but lo and behold, not a drop of water fell from the skies! Lucky us! Maybe because today was the winter solstice?…

Beginning from the Susan Creek day use area, the Emerald Trail led us ¾ of a mile to the Tioga Bridge. Crossing the bridge, we turned left and headed upriver. This entire area was devastated in September of 2020 by the Archie Creek fire. Some recent trail work made the going significantly easier than it would’ve been with multiple trees to step over or under. Still, with all the footbridges destroyed or non-existent, creek crossings made for some interesting moments.

Reaching a high point near a bend in the river about 1 ½ miles from the bridge, our group took a break while enjoying views of the river below. We turned around and headed back, completing about 5 miles.

We had lunch at the day use area while we thanked the rain gods for taking the day off. Part of the group decided to go check out Susan Creek Falls while the rest of us decided to call it a day. This would be the last club hike of 2024, as we look forward to more great hikes in the new year!

Pictures by Rheo Wheeler

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Lost Creek Lake & Blue Grotto – December 7, 2024

Hike Coordinator: Tery Andreucci

Narration by Terry Andreucci

Five hikers met in Roseburg for a 2-hour drive to Lost Creek Lake and the Blue Grotto Trailhead. Additionally, five other hikers from the Grants Pass area met us at the trailhead.

The hike took us along the north shore of the lake to an interesting box canyon formed of blue-green rhyolite deposits from the eruption of Mount Mazama, now Crater Lake.

We hiked the five miles out and back through a mixed forest of incense cedars, ponderosa pines, Douglas fir, white oak and madrone. Along the way there were wonderful views of Lost Creek Lake, the Peyton Bridge and the areas of blue rhyolite shoreline.

We took the trail up to the Grotto, as steep rhyolite slopes closed in on us. Sad to say, the falls were a little disappointing. Without recent rainfall there was very little water flowing over the falls. Oh well!

After lunch at the shoreline, we headed back, just as a light drizzle of rain began.

All in all, a good day on the trail!

Pictures by Terry Andreucci and Rheo Wheeler

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South Slough Estuary – November 23, 2024

Hike Coordinator: Rheo Wheeler

Narration by Rheo Wheeler

Hiking in the rain is not our favorite thing, but it’s always invigorating to be outdoors on a dreary day. However, this was not the case though on our South Slough Estuary hike. The hiking gods were quite kind.

We had a group of 9 folks from the Roseburg area join up with 8 from the South Coast Striders group for this “old lady distance” hike through the beautiful South Slough Estuary just outside of Charleston. The tide was mostly out which exposed a lot of the tide flats. Not a lot of wildlife viewing, but still a beautiful backdrop.

The South Slough was a 3’ish mile loop, so to get our miles in, we (the Roseburg 9) finished our hiking over near Shore Acres. We hiked along the ocean from the lighthouse viewpoint to Shore Acres and strolled the gardens where the Christmas lights are almost ready for our holiday viewing. This added about 2 extra miles here, a more respectable distance for the day.

Pictures by Rheo Wheeler

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