“Back to Nature”-Upper & Lower Table Rocks in Medford/Central Point Area, Oregon

Two of the most prominent topographic features in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon are Upper and Lower Table Rocks. These mesa buttes rise immediately above the north bank of the Rogue River near Tou Velle State Park in southwestern Oregon, between Sams Valley and Central Point, providing amazing vistas of the surrounding Cascade Range to the east and the Siskiyou Mountains to the south and west.

Both Upper and Lower Table Rock have trails to their summits. In Summer 2005, we hiked Upper Table Rock with the Super Tuesday kids from Tablerock Fellowship. This trail is shorter, a little steeper, and a bit more open for views than the trail on Lower Table Rock. Both Upper and Lower trails offer a great wildflower walk in Spring, and Park checklists show roughly 140 kinds of plants reside here, including dwarf meadow foam, which grows in the small vernal ponds that collect on top of the buttes, nurturing the wildflowers that flourish in early spring. The wildflower display may be seen February through May, and usually reaches its peak in April. A dozen species of flowers cover the rock-strewn flats with bright yellows and vivid purples. The children in our group were very intrigued by the summit of Upper Table Rock, which has been used in the past to land a plane on. Our early start made for an enjoyable hike, and it was getting pretty warm by the time we were headed back down. Beware of poison oak which is prevalent, and watch for rattlesnakes, ticks, and the steep cliff edges. The views are spectacular from the top, where you can see the Sams Valley, Rogue Valley, and south to Ashland and Mount McLoughlin.

The Lower Table Rock Preserve was established in 1979 as a 1,890-acre preserve which is near the westernmost butte towering 800 feet above the valley floor. The preserve was established by the Nature Conservancy, then later was turned over to the government.  The preserve protects an area of special biologic, geologic, historic, and scenic value. Both Table Rocks were designated in 1984 as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) to protect special plants and animal species, unique geologic and scenic values, and education opportunities, providing outstanding opportunities for environmental education to the many area school children that have attended outdoor school here. The two Table Rocks are the most popular hiking destination in the Rogue Valley with over 10,000 visitors each year, who will find Pacific madrone, white oak, manzanita, ponderosa pine, grasses and wildflowers.  Madrone trees, found mostly in the Northwest, are a glossy-leafed evergreen that has a "skin" that peels in warm weather to reveal a smooth, coppery orange bark. As firewood, it makes for long, slow, hot-burning fires. For those hikers taking the two mile trail to the top of Lower Table Rock, you may see batches of pale lavender fawn lilies near the scrub oaks on the way up the mountain, and on the top, occasional mounds of soil that support grasses, as well as lichens and mosses that manage to grow on the lava exhibiting their luxuriant greens and fluorescent yellows during the wetter months.

History tells us of the Table Rocks having been the site of a decisive battle in the first of a series of Rogue Indian wars in the 1850s, with a peace treaty signed here soon afterward by the Rogue (Takelma) tribe and the American government. For a time, this area was also part of the Table Rock Indian Reservation, but the reservation status was terminated shortly thereafter.

To get to Upper Table Rock, take I-5 North out of Medford. Take the Central Point Exit (Exit 33) east about one mile to Table Rock Road, and turn north (left). Continue 7.6 miles, passing Tou Velle State Park. Turn east (right) and continue approximately one mile to the signed parking lot, which will be on your left. The trail to the top of Upper Table Rock begins there. There are some basic campground-style toilets at the trailhead. The BLM (3040 Biddle Rd., 541-770-2200) has additional information on the Table Rocks.

To get to Lower Table Rock, take I-5 North out of Medford. Take the Central Point Exit (Exit 33) east about 1 mile to Table Rock Road.  Turn north (left) onto Table Rock Road.  Proceed 7.6 miles, passing Tou Velle State Park.  Turn west (left) onto Wheeler Road and continue approximately 1 mile to the signed parking lot.  The 2-mile trail to the top of Lower Table Rock begins there.

See You Out There!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com