Lace up your boots and grab your hat!— it’s time to explore our public lands in Southern Oregon. Whether you are interested in learning about plants and animals, geology or cultural history, we’ve got a hike for you. “Explore More!” at the Table Rocks and discover something new.

Every weekend this spring, The Nature Conservancy and Medford District Bureau of Land Management are offering free, guided educational hikes. Hikes are led by specialists from around the region who will share their knowledge about the unique natural and cultural environments that make the Table Rocks such an integral part of our region’s landscape. Dig deep into nature and enjoy the magic of nature’s classroom at the Table Rocks!

Hikers will meet at the designated trailhead for a 2.5–4.5 mile round trip hike up 800 feet along a moderate grade trail. Participants should dress for the weather and terrain and bring water and snacks since hikes to the top may last 3 to 4 hours. Restrooms are available only at each trailhead; there is no drinking water. Due to limited parking at the trailheads, carpooling is encouraged. To help protect this special place, dogs and vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

Guided hikes will be offered on weekends in April and May. All hikes are free to the public but reservations are required as space is limited. Information about the hikes and online reservations will be available at https://TableRockHikes2018.eventbrite.com Registration for April hikes begins Thursday, March 15 and for May hikes on Monday, April 16. For information, contact the Medford District BLM at 541.618.2200, M-F, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Rising dramatically 800 feet above the Rogue River, the iconic Upper and Lower Table Rocks—formed by a lava flow about 7 million years ago—are prominent features of the Rogue Valley. The wildlife and more than 200 wildflower species, including the extremely rare dwarf wooly meadowfoam that grows nowhere else in the world, are protected by the Table Rocks’ designation as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.

Saturday, April 7, 9:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Wildflowers Abound: Barbara Mumblo, botanist emerita with the U.S. Forest Service Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and member of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, will lead a hike to discover the dazzling array of wildflowers found on the Table Rocks.

 Sunday, April 8, 9:00 a.m., UPPER TABLE ROCK

Layers of Time: Jad D’Allura, Southern Oregon University professor emeritus of geology, and Joni Brazier, U.S. Forest Service soil specialist, will discuss the formation of the Table Rocks and the unique geological features and soils along a hike to the top of this ancient lava flow.

Saturday, April 14, 8:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

For the Early Birds: Join local bird experts Bob Quaccia, with Rogue Valley Audubon Society, and Frank Lospalluto, with Klamath Bird Observatory, to view the spring birds of the Table Rocks. Learn ID tips and conservation information. Bring binoculars and ID books if you desire. Limited to 15 individuals

Sunday, April 15, 9:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Nature Sketching & Journaling: Join a scientist turned artist for a hike and exploration of art in nature. Darlene Southworth, SOU professor emerita of biology and watercolor journalist, will share her perspective on the landscapes you see and the natural history you encounter along the trail. Bring a sketchpad and pencils or pens; watercolors are optional but welcome. Limited to 15 individuals.

Saturday, April 21, 10:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK LOOP TRAIL

Tell Me a Story: A very special hike for kids and their favorite adult! Join members of the Storytelling Guild on a trek along the Lower Table Rock Loop Trail (1/2 mile accessible trail) and listen to legends and tales about the Takelma Indians who once lived in this area. Learn about the cultural history of the Table Rocks. Stories are suitable for all ages.

Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

City Lights & Celestial Sights: Join Joe Stodola, astronomer and member of the Grants Pass Astronomers, on a night hike to share the wonders of the night sky at the top of the Rock. The Lyrid Meteor Shower should be at its peak and often produces bright trails. Bring flashlights, binoculars and a roll up pad to lie on if you have them; sturdy shoes, a warm jacket and long pants are recommended.

Sunday, April 22, 9:00 a.m., UPPER TABLE ROCK

Grand Ronde Tribes, Past to Present: Join Michael Karnosh, Ceded Lands Program Manager at the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, to learn about traditional and culturally important plants of the tribes whose ancestors include the original residents of the Table Rocks area. He will discuss modern day Tribal management of conservation properties and partnerships with government agencies, land trusts, and other groups.

Saturday, April 28, 9:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Legacy of a Landmark: Jeff LaLande, retired archaeologist and historian for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, will discuss the role of the Table Rocks in the culture and legends of the Takelma Indians, as well as the history of the Table Rocks area during the “Indian Wars” of the 1850s.

Sunday, April 29, 10:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Lichen Hikin’ with a Fun-gi: Spring is a prime time to observe lichens, bryophytes and terrestrial algae with John Villella, a botanist with the Siskiyou Biosurvey and member of the American Bryological & Lichenological Society, and members of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. Some lichen highlights include variant forms of Xanthoparmelia and Dermatocarpon, and local rarities such as Parmelina and Peltula.

 Sunday, April 29, 10:00 a.m., UPPER TABLE ROCK

Bee Safari: Join Sarah Red-Laird, a.k.a. Bee Girl, and Sasha Joachims, BLM botanist, to find out what all the buzz is about. They will explain why bee pollination is essential for our survival and tell you about the unique pollinator conservation projects on nearby public lands. On this family-friendly hike, net and ID bees and learn about their relationship with the wildflowers and trees that produce a rainbow of colors on the Table Rocks.

Saturday, May 5, 9:00 a.m., UPPER TABLE ROCK

Camp White: “The Alcatraz of Boot Camps”: Travel back in time with BLM archaeologists Jennifer Sigler and Lisa Rice to the WWII era when Southern Oregon was a major training center for the U.S. military. Participants will be led on a guided exploration of the remains of the Camp White artillery range which includes pillboxes designed to practice infantry drills. Because there is no trail, wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Limited to 15 individuals.

 

Saturday, May 5, 10:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK LOOP TRAIL

Tell Me a Story: A very special hike for kids and their favorite adult! Join members of the Storytelling Guild on a trek along the Lower Table Rock Loop Trail (1/2 mile accessible trail) and listen to legends and tales about the Takelma Indians who once lived in this area. Learn about the cultural history of the Table Rocks. Stories are suitable for all ages.

Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK LOOP TRAIL

Whooo Comes Out at Night? BLM wildlife biologist Steve Godwin will lead a night hike to look for and listen to the creatures of the night on the Lower Table Rock Loop Trail (1/2 mile accessible trail) He will attempt to lure pygmy, great horned and screech owls–no guarantees! A short presentation about the unique characteristics and adaptations of the common bats, owls and other animals that are active at night in this area will precede the hike. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes.

Sunday, May 6, 9:00 a.m., UPPER TABLE ROCK

Walk with Words: Dave Harvey and members of the Oregon Poetry Association, Rogue Valley Unit, will share poems inspired by nature and the Table Rocks along a hike to the top of the Rock. Hikers are encouraged to bring a favorite or original poem inspired by nature to share.

Saturday, May 12, TBD

Sunday, May 13, MOTHER’S DAY – NO HIKE

Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Bug out on the Table Rocks: Hike with Dr. Bill Schaupp, entomologist with the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Health Protection, to observe and discuss the incredible insects that live on or flutter by the Table Rocks. On this hike, you will gain a deeper appreciation for how insects live and their essential role in the environment.

Sunday, May 20, 10:00 a.m., LOWER TABLE ROCK

Table Rock Unplugged: BYOU (bring your own ukulele) and join Tish McFadden, founder and leader of the Southern Oregon Ukulele Players (SOUP) and local musician Jeff Kloetzel, for a musical trip along the trail. A sing-along and jam session will be held at the top of the rock. All skill levels and ages are invited to make music in nature. Music booklets will be provided.

 

Did you know? A few facts about the Table Rocks

  • The 4,864 acres of the Table Rocks are jointly owned, managed and protected by The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management.
  • The area around the Table Rocks was inhabited by Native Americans at least 15,000 years prior to any European-American settlement.
  • The Rocks are named for their location along the Rogue River – Upper Table Rock is upstream and Lower Table Rock is downstream.
  • There is an airstrip on Lower Table Rock that was built in 1948.
  • More than 50,000 visitors annually hike the Table Rocks making it one of the most popular hiking locations in Southern Oregon.
  • The Rocks are home to more than 70 species of animals and 340 species of plants including 200 species of wildflowers.
  • The vernal pools at the top of the Rocks are one of the few places that are home to a federally threatened species of fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi.

 

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.  To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have helped protect 130 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.