Choose Your Pace: Hiking Lodge to Lodge Along the Rogue River

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us in the main lodge area to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

In the main dining area of the lodge.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Hikes will be led by the Group Leader and program staff who are expert naturalists. This program features both river rafting and raft-supported hiking. The rafts will carry Road Scholars, food and gear, and staff who will row. Everyone will need to bring a day pack and carry the items each of us will need along the trail during the day. Because the location of some lodges would result in long hikes on certain days, we will transport hikers by raft around certain sections of the trail. Sections of the Rogue River we will be rafting are mild (Class II whitewater and below). Road Scholars will be able to get on a raft at most points during the day if they choose. Elevation gain/loss will vary from day to day. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At Galice Lodge.

We will check out of the lodge, board vans, and ride to the trailhead at approximately 9:00 a.m. We will then have a safety talk for rafting portions of the program. We will have two hiking choices depending on interest and abilities. Group A will hike 3.3 miles while Group B will hike 5 miles to either Whiskey Creek or Tyee campsite for lunch. In general, the elevations encountered today and on subsequent days are low, beginning at 689 feet at the trailhead, but the trail climbs and descends multiple times. The trail is considered of moderate difficulty overall, but certain sections of the trail are more challenging. Highlights include views of Rainie Falls and an elective hike to historic Whiskey Creek cabin. We will learn about the last miner to live in the Rogue River Canyon and the canyon’s rich history with numerous historic sites remaining from the trapping and mining days.

At riverside.

We will continue our hiking field trips from the lunch sites to Black Bar Lodge. Group A will hike 4.6 more miles. Group B will hike 6.3 miles. We will explore the Big Windy Creek drainage and enjoy views looking down upon the river.

At Black Bar Lodge.

The Group Leader will give us a talk on a topic relating to the region’s cultural and/or natural history.

At Black Bar Lodge.

Group A will set out on a 3.1 mile float in the rafts from Black Bar Lodge to Meadow Creek camp, followed by 4.1 mile hike to Winkle Bar. We will view writer Zane Grey’s cabin at Winkle Bar and take a break here for lunch. Group B will hike the whole distance from Black Bar Lodge. The Rogue canyon through which we will hike and raft is an enchanting blend of lush forests, fern grottoes, abundant wildlife, sparkling side streams, and clear swimming holes.

At riverside.

We will hike 6.5 miles from Winkle Bar to Marial Lodge. Those who prefer to take the raft rather hike are welcome to do so. Experential education will be based upon going down the trail/river.

At Marial Lodge.

The Group Leader will give us a talk on a topic relating to the region’s cultural and/or natural history.

At Marial Lodge.

There will be an elective hike from Marial Lodge to the Rogue River Ranch.

At Marial Lodge.

We’ll set out on a 4.2 mile hike from Marial Lodge to Paradise Lodge, along perhaps the most spectacular section of the Rogue River. Due to the nature of the river, everyone will be required to hike this section. We will watch staff take the boats through Mule Creek Canyon and a view from Inspiration point. We’ll then seem them take the rafts through the hardest rapid on the river, Blossom Bar. We’ll also have an opportunity for an elective hike from Paradise Lodge to canyon overlook.

At Paradise Lodge.

The Group Leader will give us a talk on a topic relating to the region’s cultural and/or natural history.

At Paradise Lodge.

The first portion of our hiking field trip will be 4.6 miles to Tate Creek. We will hike through the lower Rogue Canyon and pass by the Brushy Bar USFS Ranger cabin.

At riverside.

The next portion of our hiking field trip will be 2.3 miles to Flora Dell falls. At this point, everyone will be loaded onto the rafts for the final 3.7 mile float to the end. We will then shuttle back to Galice Lodge. The return to Galice will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on return route based on road conditions in the mountains.

At Galice Lodge. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At Galice Lodge. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!