Lower Table Rock
White City Oregon
One of the benefits of growing up in Southern Oregon is that almost every village, town and city is surrounded by a view. This is not true of many areas of our vast U.S.
(StockwellPhotos.com)
The various locals to which I have called home over the years include Dwight, Illinois in the Chicago area, Murfreesboro, Tennessee just south of Nashville, Crown Point, Indiana virtually a Chicago suburb, Vallejo and Napa, California on the east side of the San Francisco Bay, Eureka, California just south of the Oregon border on the coast, and my home town of Medford, Oregon.
Other than Medford, most of these other places were pretty much surrounded by, well, nothing. Napa and Vallejo were mostly green, rolling hills that all look alike. At least that was better than flat corn and soybean fields. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is located in a big brown and green bowl, out of which one MUST escape in order to see the world.
Of all of these places, Medford was the most picturesque.
My path through this industry of advertising design has taken me around the country, and given me opportunities to live in and visit many interesting and beautiful places. But, Medford remains the most interesting as far as surrounding horizons.
To the east, there is Mt. Baldy and a low but close peak called Roxy Ann. It was the place of choice to take a date and watch the evening lights of the Medford and Central Point skylines. Just in front of it, built upon an outcropping is The Rogue Valley Manor, a beautiful, massive retirement community that resembles an upscale hotel. Beyond that, further to the east is snow capped Mt. McLaughlin, the peak that many mistake for Mt. Shasta.
To the south and east are Mt. Shasta and Mt. Ashland. Mt. Ashland is the regional skiing capitol of Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Towards the west, just over the western Rogue Valley foothills are often snowcapped Little Grayback Peak, and Holcomb Peak. Just beyond these peaks, though invisible from the valley floor, is the Pacific Ocean.
And, completing our compass tour of the Rogue Valley, directly to the north of Medford and overlooking the famous Rogue River are the Table Rocks, both upper and lower. The Table Rocks are leftover lava deposits from volcanic Mt. Mazama, over forty miles away, which became Crater Lake after its explosion a few thousand years ago.
Scientists keep insisting that it was 6,850 years ago. But, since that is the same number that was taught when I was in grade school forty years ago, I’m beginning to wonder if they really know when it happened (doing the math, it should now be documented as 6,890 years ago).
So, it doesn’t make any difference where one is standing in Medford, there is always something interesting in view on the horizon.
The Table Rocks are known as the Upper and the Lower. The lower is situated a tad south (a matter of a few yards) of the upper and might be the origin of the identifying names.
Hiking the trails on either Table Rock has both up sides and down sides, but the treks are worth the down sides. On the up side, there is the Rogue River Overlook, the spring wildflowers that completely cover the top of the table rocks and are only visible from on top, the views of other geographic monuments like the south rim of Crater Lake, Mt. McLaughlin, and Mt. Shasta, the evening view of the rogue valley lights that can be seen from nearby Central Point, to further Ashland which is just twelve miles from the California border.
The down sides include loads of poison oak (Southern Oregon’s scourge), plenty of thistles, and the ever present danger of rattle snakes. Though I’ve never seen one up there, and everyone that writes about the lower table rock says they’ve never seen one either, still the warning exists. Southern Oregon is well known for its healthy population of rattle snakes, and the rocky, protected Table Rocks are picture perfect stomping grounds for the dangerous, poisonous snakes. Also, the trail up the Lower Table Rock is quite a bit steeper and includes some minor rock climbing, depending on which of the upper forks one takes.
Choosing the season of one’s visit to the Table Rocks is important. The spring can be very boggy up top, with snow melt and rain. Summer is almost certainly very hot and dry for a few weeks, so a good supply of water for each hiker, as well as a good hat are important. Rain is a pretty common occurrence during fall and winter months, so mud would be a problem then as well as in the spring.
Important gear would be;
-Snake-safe hiking boots. Tall-ankled, leather boots with sturdy treaded soles.
-A good walking stick or sticks.
-A wide brimmed sun hat that can also repel rain.
-Mosquito repellant.
-Long legged pants and long sleeved shirt. This helps against sunburn, bug bites, snake bites and brush scrapes against poison oak and thistles.
-Sun screen.
-Ample water carrying vessel.
-Cell phone (turned off unless needed for an emergency).
-Dark sunglasses.
-A good camera with a wide angle and standard lens. The view is pretty awesome from up top, but there are also many opportunities for macro close-ups of wildflowers. The seasonal ponds almost always have colorful waterfowl including mallards. The less liked, but still photogenic buzzards are also in abundance all year long.
To enjoy the Rogue River Overlook, go past the end of the abandoned airstrip and turn slightly right and through a small tree grove. The Rogue Valley and the Rogue River will be laid at your feet, the river running east to west at that point. And, almost exactly due east is snow capped Mt. McLaughlin.
Getting There
From Medford, take Table Rock Rd north past White City. The route makes a left then a right before intersecting with Wheeler Rd., four miles beyond TouVelle State Park, on the Rogue. Take a left at Wheeler Rd and follow it for two and a half miles to the trailhead area. There is parking for about twenty cars.
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Preview: This “mighty fortress,” with the look of a flat-topped desert mesa, is one of the prominent landmarks along the middle Rogue River. The formation is fascinating in its geology, botany, and history. The trail makes a pleasant afternoon jaunt in winter or spring. March and June are best for wildflowers. Beautiful gold fields of flowers blanket the top in March while a myriad of wildflowers bloom in June. The trailhead compound was built by the Nature Conservancy, which also maintains the trail and owns a piece of the rock. They’ve done a commendable job. Highlights: A steep hike up a spectacular flat-topped mesa with rare plants and an outstanding view. | |
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Activity Type: |
Hiking |
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Nearby City: |
White City, OR |
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Length: |
4 total miles |
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Elev. Gain: |
800 feet |
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Trail Type: |
Out-and-Back |
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Skill Level: |
Moderate |
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Duration: |
Day hike |
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Season: |
Year round |
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Trailhead Elev: |
1228 feet |
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Top Elev: |
2029 feet |
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Local Maps: |
Lower Table Rock Topo Map
USGS Sams Valley |
Sources; Trails.com, Google.