Our signoff has been "Happy Trails" for years now, but with Monday's hike on the Lower Rogue, it took on special meaning.

With the trail closing landslide, it was uncertain when we could hike one of our favorite trails again. Would it be closed for months or years like the Rum Creek Fire closure?

But to our surprise and glee, crews were able to reopen the trail in just two weeks!

Seventeen hikers gathered at the Grave Creek parking lot and were more than ready to hit the trail when I finally showed up with the last carload.

Running water would present the first challenge of the day's hike as water was spilling onto the asphalt in front of the TH. There would be seven spots along the trail with water running from spring runoff. Challenging but everyone made it through.

We next noticed the wide variety of spring wildflowers sprouting up along the trail that brought, bright colors to the sun-drenched path, (see the photos).

Then about half a mile into the hike we came to the scene of the landslide that had temporarily closed the trail. A large boulder the size of a pickup truck slanted down the hillside and looked to me like the head of a giant snake, so let's call it... Snake's Head Slide.

Thankfully, emergency crews were able to dig out the slide and build a bypass around the pointed snout.

After everyone made it through the bypass, we were immediately facing one of the most challenging water crossings. A downhill slanting boulder embedded in the trail with water pouring down it. Fortunately, the peak runoff was starting to recede and, a strip of dry rock allowed us to avoid most of the slippery surface.

The rest of the way to Whiskey Creek offered breathtaking views of the Lower Rogue River with some roaring white water especially at Rainie Falls and a large River Otter making his way downriver.

The weather warmed nicely from the chill of the parking lot as morning clouds were burnt off by the sun. Temps were in the 50s heading downriver and into the 60s coming back after lunch.

We made the side trip up Whiskey Creek with it's countless stairstep cascades and bridge across to to view the historic miner's cabin and gold mining ditch, dating back to 1925.

Then we had a relaxing lunch in the shade or sun by the beach, followed by the group shot with the Rogue River as the backdrop.

The hike back goes upriver and can be a long tough slog in warmer summer weather but not so much on Monday. Of course, we had to recross those 7 water crossings and I think there were about 5 more minor slides that added rocks to an already rocky trail.

We hiked 7.3 miles RT with 800' of gain on the undulating trail.

Note: We will finally get to do the Crater Lake snowshoe hike next Monday now that the road has been cleared to rim parking on top. We'll leave from Rite Aid at 8:30. Let me know who has Park passes as we'll need one per car.

as always Happy Trails...and Happy Earth Day!
Rich