Upper Rogue Canyon and Rough Rider Falls

Rough Rider Falls.jpg

 

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 8 miles round trip from Hamaker Campground. Click here to download a detailed hike description for a 4.5 mile one way shuttle option.

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Seasons: May through November

Description: The Upper Rogue River trail gradually gains elevation, eventually following the Rogue River and providing stunning streamside views of two beautiful waterfalls.

The trail runs through a mixed conifer forest with some very large old growth Douglas fir. Further upstream, this trail segment offers excellent views right alongside the river, and finally from above, while still paralleling the upper Rogue River Canyon. In particular, the “middle” of this trail segments has impressive river views of beautiful deep blue water in an emerald canyon. The large 30-foot Rough Rider Falls drops across mossy boulders. One mile before Rough Rider Falls is another beautiful unnamed falls. From here return to the Rd. 6530 trailhead.

Directions: From Diamond Lake, follow Highway 138 south towards Crater Lake National Park, then turn west onto highway 230. Turn left following the sign (for closed) Hamaker Campground onto FS Rd. 6530 just before mile post 12.

If you’re aiming for an out-and-back hike to Rough Rider Falls, begin at trail # 1034, .8 mile SE on FS Rd. 6530. The trailhead you want is .3 mile after passing FS Rd. 900 to the right of now closed Hamaker Campground. The “Upper Rogue River Trail #1034” will be on the left, before you drive over a bridge crossing the upper Rogue River.

See link above for more specific driving details and or for a one way shuttle option from the uppermost reaches of the canyon. It is always best to have good maps and a GPS, especially when heading off trail.

 

Red= trail Light Blue= proposed wilderness Green= protected wilderness

(Photo by Wendell Wood)