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Rogue River Backpack Trip: Mule Creek TH to Brushy Bar June 2019

Delayed by rain for a couple of weeks, Nancy,

Fred and Tysen successfully completed their

3-day (2 night) backpack trip the first week in

June.

We started our hike around 12:30 with

temperatures in the 70’s. On the way in, we

were temporarily stopped on the trail with a cliff

wall on one side and a cliff down to the Rogue

on the other. The reason: a rattle snake! After

waiting for more than 10 min for the rattler to

get out of our way, Nancy grabbed a fist-size

rock and knocked the critter over the cliff! Yeah

Nancy!

We passed Stair Case Falls, Blossom Bar and

Paradise Lodge. From there we continued on

to Brushy Bar, reaching it four hours after

starting at the trailhead.

Since no one was there, we had our choice of campsites. Nancy and Fred chose one

right next to the Rogue while Tysen selected one further up the hill side. After setting up

our tents, we soaked our tired feet in the Rogue.

Getting to Marial Lodge (Mule Creek TH)

Nancy, Fred & Tysen

at Mule Creek Trailhead

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Trip Description

Trip Summary

Day Start End Comment

Mon, June 3 Ashland Area Marial TH 107 mi (2:47)

Marial TH Brushy Bar 6.2 mi

Tues, June 4 Brushy Bar Clay Hill Lodge & back 5.6 mi (RT) Day Hike

Wed, June 5 Brushy Bar Marial TH 6.2 mi

Marial Th Ashland Area 107 mi (2:47)

On the way in, we found an abundance of poison oak near the trail. At the campsite, we

also found quite a few mosquitos in the evening that were looking at us as dinner. The

bear box provided us with a safe place to store our food without having to worry. To lock

it properly, however, took the persistence of Nancy to figure it out. A nearby stream

gave us an alternative source of water than the Rogue. Finally, with a pit toilet we

almost enjoyed all the comforts of home.

The next day, we took a day hike to Clay Hill Lodge. While it was open, the staff had left

for the afternoon. Hence, we were able to enjoy our lunch on the deck, watching as

various jet and delivery motor boats sped up and down the Rogue.

After, we returned back to our campsite, we dipped our hot tired bodies in the Rogue.

Rather than try access the Rogue near our campsite, we took advantage of the easier

river access below the Brushy Bar cabin.

The next morning, we made our way back to Paradise Lodge. There we quenched our

thirst with cold Caldera root beers while enjoying the Rogue flowing past the Lodge. We

made it back to the trailhead in only three hours (excluding our stop at the Lodge)

despite the hot weather. Surprisingly, we again found no other cars in the parking lot,

just as we had found when we first got there.

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Topo: Mule Creek TH to Brushy Bar Campground

(GPS waypoints shown in blue)

Elevation Profile: Mule Creek TH to Brushy Bar (GPS waypoints in blue)

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Stair Case Falls

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Meadow with Paradise Lodge in Distance

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Rattler on Trail

Nancy at Brushy Bar Campground

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Nancy & Fred Enjoying their Cups of Coffee the Next Morning

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Day Hike

Elevation Profile: Brushy Bar to Clay Hill Lodge (GPS in blue)

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Clay Hill Lodge

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Inlet below Brushy Bar Cabin – good for dipping

Return back toward TH

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Paradise Lodge

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Enjoying cold Caldera Root Beers

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Nancy with friend

Stair Case Falls

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