February 15 – April 12, 2025
Upcoming hikes at a glance…
We hike every other Saturday!
Feb 15 Sutton Creek (Florence)
Mar 1 Tahkenitch Lake (Reedsport)
Mar 15 Union Creek Trail (Union Creek)
Mar 29 Rogue River Trail: Whiskey Creek (Glendale)
Apr 9 Hiking Planning Meeting (Roseburg)
Apr 12 Buck Rock Tunnels (Ashland)
To view details of all upcoming hikes, go to our
Events page on Facebook.
You will find the most up-to-date information on our scheduled hikes there.
Difficulty Levels:
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: The total accumulation of elevation you climb (gain) throughout the course of a hike.
Example: If you climb 1000 ft, then descend 500 ft, then climb 300 ft, your total elevation gain is 1,300 ft. (Your descent, or loss, does not matter. Only the gain is counted)
UPCOMING HIKES…
February 15, 2025: SUTTON CREEK (Florence)
Sutton Creek is a relatively easy hike in the Florence area that serves up lush coastal forest, lakes, sand dunes, and of course, Sutton Creek itself. Plus, we’ll make a sutton stop (see what I did there!) at the Holman overlook for a nice view of Sutton Creek and the surrounding landscape.
Driving time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Driving directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBnRQ5yuXhNg3vpK6
Entry or parking fee: $5; free with pass.
Route: The route is a squiggly loop, figure-eight, lollypop combo. We will begin at Dune Lake and hike on the Alder Dune Trail to the Sutton Creek. From the Holman Overlook, we will continue the loop route to Sutton Campground, and close the loop with a rejoin of the Alder Dune Trail. Confused? Just follow Lane!
Map: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/2046103651
Difficulty level: Moderate
Distance: 6.0 miles.
Elevation gain: 160 feet
Pluses: A chance to observe the varied ecosystems in the Sutton Creek area. Lush coastal forests and sand dunes.
Minuses: Some of the trail is on soft sand, which will get those leg muscles complaining. Weather can be wet and rainy this time of year.
For more information call or text Lane at 541-643-9278.
March 1, 2025: TAHKENITCH DUNES (Reedsport)
The coast is calling and we must go. The loop hike in Tahkenitch Dunes is the trail du jour and hopefully, we will have a fine spring day with which to celebrate hiking on the coast.
Driving time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Driving directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CxwgQTUx2fWw7N5w9
Entry or parking fee: $5, or free with NW Forest Pass or Interagency Senior Pass.
Hiking route: The route will be subject to the whims and caprices of hike leader John, the exact route is yet to be determined.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Distance: 6 to 8 miles
Elevation gain: 190 feet
Map: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/3615175642
Pluses: Lush coastal forest, sand dunes, and a beach walk.
Minuses: There is that walking on sand thing. Although, most of the hike will be on solid ground, which is always appreciated by quad muscles.
For more information call (no text) John at 541-673-1973.
March 15, 2025: UNION CREEK TRAIL (Union Creek)
Union Creek is a nice little hike that explores the scenery and forest alongside a Union Creek itself, right before it joins up with the Upper Rogue River. Best of all, it’s mostly a level trail!
Map of hike: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/2301088762
Driving Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttB9C4mCWpWUrsYS8
Driving time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Difficulty level: Moderate
Route: It’s an out and back from Highway 62 to Union Creek Falls
Distance: 8.2 miles
Elevation gain: 330 feet
Pluses: Spring will be underway along the creek. Union Creek Falls should have plenty of water flow.
Minuses: Thick vegetation can encroach the trail in places.
For more information call or text Rheo at 541-643-0727.
March 29, 2025: ROGUE RIVER TRAIL (Glendale)
Yeah, we hike on the Rogue River Trail a lot. But can you blame us? Undulating up and down on cliffs overlooking the scenic river, the trail serves up mile after mile of spectacular vistas of the rugged river canyon. And this time of year, the spring flowers begin to put on a colorful display. Some of the plant geeks in our club can point out all the species that are endemic to the Siskiyous, which means you will not see them anywhere else in the world. A visit to Whiskey Creek Cabin, our turnaround point, provides glimpses into the human history along the Rogue River.
Map: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/2899551589
Driving time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Driving directions:https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lq7hV39iwVdBvyGq5
Entry or parking fee: none
Hiking route: This hike is an out-and-back from Grave Creek Boat Ramp to Whiskey Creek Cabin and back.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 480 feet
Pluses: We pretty much covered the pluses above but there’s spectacular scenery, unique and lush vegetation, wildflowers, and Whiskey Creek Cabin.
Minuses: Poison oak common along the trail and ticks can be a thing. The trail spends a lot of its mileage hugging cliffs well above the river, challenging those who don’t like heights.
For more information call or text Terry at 916-663-8773.
April 9, 2025: HIKING PLANNING MEETING (Roseburg)
Time: 5:30pm
Location: DOUGLAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ROOM 310
We will plan our next set of hikes at this meeting.
The general public is welcome to attend our meetings, especially if you are interested in seeing what we’re all about. But in a word: Hiking!
Contact Rheo at (541) 643-0727 if you have any questions.
March 15, 2025: BUCK ROCK TUNNELS (Ashland)
Back in the late 1800s, the O&C Railroad decided they would construct a railway from California into Southern Oregon, and construction began. Unfortunately for the route planners, 4,193 foot high Buck Rock was in the way so work started on a tunnel right through Buck Rock. But it always comes down to money, doesn’t it? Before the tunnel was completed, the whole project was abandoned due to a lack of funds and nowadays, the two unconnected tunnels remain for enterprising hikers to visit and ruminate upon.
Driving time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Driving directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pLM2avsf1ZnLBJA6
Entry or parking fee: none
Route: There are a couple of loop hikes available from the Buck Rock Trailhead. The short loop visits the west tunnel and circles back on the slope of Buck Rock. The longer route will depart from the shorter route with a trailless scramble to Buck Rock’s summit.
Map: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/4324064551
Difficulty level: Moderate (just the tunnel) to moderately strenuous (with Buck Rock Summit)
Distance: 5 miles to just the tunnel, 7 miles to Buck Rock summit
Elevation gain: 900 feet to 1,000 feet
Pluses: A visit to a little piece of Oregon’s railroad history. The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (where the tunnels are located) will be cloaked in spring greenery, and wildflowers will abound. Great views of the valleys and mountains of the monument.
Minuses: Plenty of poison oak ready, willing, and able to spread its itchy madness to oblivious hikers. Ticks can also make their presence known. Reaching and descending the summit is by way of trailless scrambling, some mild use of hands might be necessary on the scramble. Maps are essential as the trails are not well signed, and there are various intersections with old jeep roads.
For more information call or text Lane at 541-643-9278.
Information on our hikes
General - Hikes occur year-round on every other Saturday. The general public is welcome. Meet – The group meets before 8 am in the Douglas County Courthouse parking lot behind the Roseburg Public Library just off of Fowler Street. In general, most hikes take an hour to an hour and a half driving time each direction. Alternate arrangements – Hikers who wish to meet the group at the hike destination or would like a ride and/or meet up at a different location enroute to the hiking destination should contact the hike coordinator in advance to coordinate these types of arrangements. The hike coordinator will determine the reasonability of each request and if it can be conveniently accommodated. Pet Policy: We welcome well-behaved pets and expect owners to have full control over their pets at all times. As long as the area we are hiking in allows dogs, you are welcome to bring your friendly trail companion. Please be respectful of other hikers and clean up after your pet. Bring – Each person should bring water, lunch, layers of clothing including raingear. If you wish to carpool, then please come prepared to share gas expenses. Driving time to trailheads and hike length are estimates only. The hikes – Hikes are rated on a difficulty level of easy, moderate and difficult. The levels are determined by the length, altitude change, steepness, terrain, etc. Lengths of scheduled hikes are generally between 4 and 8 miles but can be longer. Options for shorter hikes and/or easier routes are nearly always available. Hikers of all levels are welcome to join us on hikes. Be Prepared – Wear seasoned boots. Stay with the group and on the trail. If lost, stay put. Each hiker hikes at his or her own risk and is responsible for his or her own health, safety and welfare. Hiking destinations may be changed due to weather conditions or other concerns. The hike coordinator will have you sign a Sign in Waiver to participate. Hikes are submitted to the News Review for publication. A schedule is also listed on this website and is posted on the club's Facebook page. Hike destinations are subject to change at the hike coordinator's discretion due to weather conditions, etc.
For more information, see our Hike Guidelines