photos by Field Manager Nick Hodges
12 APRIL 2023 | MARIAL, OR. — With support from the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s Gold Beach Ranger District and Curry County Sheriff’s Office, our crew was able to maintain the Forest Service section of the Rogue River National Recreation Trail from Marial to Foster Bar.
Last week, field managers Karly White and Nick Hodges were able to log out the Rogue River Trail from Marial to Foster Bar. Steve DiCicco at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest provided logistical support and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office offered communications support.
They did encounter a small and active landslide at the vicinity of Flora Dell. “It was too wet to do anything,” says lead field manager Karly White. “We’ll have to wait until things dry out.”
Executive director Gabriel Howe is expecting extra pressure on the national recreation trail this season. “With all this snow, people are itching to get out and the Rogue River Trail is low elevation and rings all the bells.”
The Club’s work on the Forest Service section is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act through an agreement with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
The lower section of the trail that we’ve maintained is managed by the Forest Service. The upper section of the trail between Grave Creek and Marial is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Hikers can expect routine damage on the BLM section of the trail, though there is a major landslide near China Bar that could pose a serious hazard:
“I flew over Panther Ridge last week,” says Howe. “I think there’s about six feet of snow up there.” That means the Wild Rogue Loop will not be approachable for some time, especially considering the wet crossings of Mule Creek.
