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Spring into the Season: Hike the Table Rocks

Oregon-Washington
Medford DO
Event Coordinator
Kyle Sullivan, Bureau of Land Management
541-618-2340
Kate Natoli, The Nature Conservancy
971-275-2182
Event Dates
to
Event Location

Upper and Lower Table Rocks
Medford, OR
United States

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Information about the hikes and online reservations

Event Description

Longer days and warmer weather mean that spring is ready to welcome us to the Table Rocks! And what better way to spring into the season than by hiking the Table Rocks trails with local experts? For the 38th year, The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management Medford District are offering free educational hikes at Upper and Lower Table Rocks during April, May and June. This popular hike series promises spectacular views of the valley, an abundance of wildflowers, and expert interpretation from specialists on the Table Rocks’ diverse flora and fauna, their rich geologic and cultural legacy, and the spectacular night sky!

Hikers will meet at the designated trailhead for the 2.5- to 3-mile roundtrip hike, which gains about 800 feet in elevation. The trails are a moderate grade. Participants should dress for the weather and terrain and bring water and snacks since hikes to the top may last 3 to 4 hours. Restrooms are available only at each trailhead; there is no drinking water available on site. Due to limited parking at the trailheads, carpooling is encouraged. To help protect this special place, dogs, bicycles, and motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

All hikes are free to the public but reservations are required as space is limited. Information about the hikes and online reservations are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/table-rocks-hikes-spring-2024-3175399. Registration for hikes opens March 18 for the April hikes and April 15 for the May/June hikes. For additional information, contact the BLM Medford District at 541-618-2200, M-F, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or The Nature Conservancy at 541-708-4990.

The Nature Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management have protected and managed the Table Rocks for more than 40 years. Join us as we discover and renew with nature this spring at the Table Rocks!

Sat., April 6, Lower Table Rock, 10 a.m.
Mighty Oaks: Join Rich Fairbanks, local oak fancier, and explore a remarkable diversity of oak habitats including savannas, woodlands and shrublands. Discussion will include recent climate resilient restoration work and its relation to changes in wildfire extent and severity as well as plant physiology. Oaks of all shapes and sizes are vital to the lives of wildlife, other plants, and people. The Klamath-Siskiyou Oak Network has found 100+ reasons to love oaks – learn why you should too! https://oak-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Sunday, April 7, Upper Table Rock, 10 a.m.
Spring Blooms & Stories Abound: Discover the colorful wildflowers that bring the Table Rocks to life each spring with Liz Landreth, aka “The Flower Floozy,” and Oregon Master Naturalist for the Cascade-Siskiyou region. Learn to identify some of the stunning spring wildflowers and hear some ethnobotanical and nature stories along the trail. Limited to 15 individuals. https://spring-blooms-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, April 13, Upper Table Rock, 9 a.m.
Celebrate Nature!: Join Chamise Kramer, US Forest Service Eastern Region Creative Services Team Manager, and BLM Environmental Education Specialist Molly Allen on a general information hike suitable for the whole family. The hike will cover a little bit of everything from wildflowers, ethnobotany, geology, wildlife, ecology and cultural history of the Table Rocks. https://celebrate-nature-2024.eventbrite.com

Thursday, April 18, Lower Table Rock, 10 a.m.
Uncovering the Botanical Treasures of the Table Rocks: Join Karla Alvarado, botanist with the Bureau of Land Management, and Marisa Mancillas, Wetland Scientist with the Oregon Department of Transportation, for a botanical foray at Lower Table Rock. They will dive into the fascinating world of vernal pool flora, identifying plant species with remarkable adaptations that allow them to thrive in these unique seasonal wetlands. With a little luck we might encounter the Dwarf Meadowfoam (Limnanthes pumila ssp. pumila), a threatened vernal pool plant found exclusively at the Table Rocks! https://vernal-pools-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, April 20, Lower Table Rock, 8 a.m.
For the Early Birds: Join other early birds to listen for and observe the birds of the Table Rocks with Bob Quaccia of the Rogue Valley Audubon Society and Frank Lospalluto from the Klamath Bird Observatory. Learn ID tips and conservation information while viewing the spring birds. Bring binoculars and ID books if you desire. https://early-birds-2024.eventbrite.com

Sunday, April 21, Upper Table Rock, 9 a.m.
Camp White: “The Alcatraz of Boot Camps”: Travel back in time with Medford BLM archaeologists Jennifer Sigler and Dakota Slaton to the WWII era when Southern Oregon was a major training center for the U.S. military. Participants will be led on a guided exploration of the remains of the Camp White “Fortified Zone” which includes pill boxes designed to practice infantry drills. Because there is no trail, wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Limited to 15 individuals. https://camp-white-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, April 27, Lower Table Rock, 9 a.m.
Go Native!: April is Native Plant Appreciation Month! Dave Garcia, member of the Siskiyou Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon (NPSO) and long-time educator, will share his love and knowledge of the Table Rocks’ diverse and beautiful native flora. Hikers can contribute to NPSO’s Native Plant Appreciation Month Florablitz 2024 in iNaturalist all month by visiting https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/npso-s-native-plant-appreciation-month-florablitz-2024. Limited to 15 individuals. https://native-plants-2024.eventbrite.com

Sunday, April 28, Upper Table Rock, 1 p.m.
¡Vamos a las Table Rocks!: Únase a Molly Morison y Sonia Ruiz departe de el Conservatorio de la Naturaleza en una caminata familiar a la cima de Upper Table Rock. La caminata se llevará a cabo en español-inglés y cubrirá información general sobre los temas de la Mesas de Pierda incluyendo flores silvestres, la vida silvestre, la geología y la historia cultural. La naturaleza te espera ¡Trae agua, almuerzo y tu curiosidad! https://bilingual-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Let’s go to the Table Rocks!: Join Molly Morison and Sonia Ruiz with The Nature Conservancy on a family hike to the top of Upper Table Rock. The hike will be lead in Spanish-English and cover general information about the Table Rocks topics including wildflowers, wildlife, geology, and cultural history. Nature awaits, bring water, lunch and your curiosity! https://bilingual-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Friday, May 3, Upper Table Rock, 11 a.m.
Bee Dazzled by Bees: Join Dave Kollen, Master Melittologist with the Oregon Bee Atlas, on a driving tour of the bee habitats at Upper Table Rock. During stops you will learn the basics about the fascinating lives of bees as we see what’s buzzing. Limited to 10 individuals. https://bee-tour-May3.eventbrite.com

Saturday, May 4, Upper Table Rock, 10 a.m.
Bee Dazzled by Bees: Join Dave Kollen, Master Melittologist with the Oregon Bee Atlas, on a driving tour of the bee habitats at Upper Table Rock. During stops you will learn the basics about the fascinating lives of bees as we see what’s buzzing. Limited to 10 individuals. https://bee-tour-May4.eventbrite.com

Saturday, May 4, Lower Table Rock, 7:30 p.m.
City Lights & Celestial Sights: Join Joe Stodola, astronomer and member of the Grants Pass Astronomers, on a night hike to share the wonders of the night sky from the top of Lower Table Rock. The main attraction will be that the predicted dark skies and a napping moon may give us an opportunity to see the Milky Way, our own galaxy, the red planet Mars and a cream-colored Saturn and maybe even some sporadic meteors. Bring flashlights, binoculars and a roll up pad to lie on if you have them; sturdy shoes, a warm jacket and long pants are recommended. https://star-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Sunday, May 5, Lower Table Rock, 9:30 a.m.
Legacy of a Landmark: Jeff LaLande, retired archaeologist and historian for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, will discuss the role of the Table Rocks in the culture of the Takelma Indians, as well as the history of the Table Rocks area during the “Rogue Indian Wars” of the 1850s and the years following Euro-American settlement. https://legacy-landmark-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, May 11, Lower Table Rock Loop Trail, 9 a.m.
Plein Air Paintout @ the Rocks: Join Darlene Southworth, botanist and artist, for an outdoor painting session along the Lower Table Rock Loop Trail. Bring your sketchpads, painting materials (any medium) and easel and chair, if you desire. Limited to 12 individuals. https://plein-air-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, May 18, Upper Table Rock, 9 a.m.
Layers of Time: Join Jad D’Allura, Emeritus Professor of Geology at Southern Oregon University, and Joni Brazier, USFS Acting National Deputy Post-Fire Lead, to discuss the dramatic geological history of the Table Rocks and their unique geological features and soils along a hike to the top of this ancient lava flow. https://geology-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Sunday, May 19, Lower Table Rock, 9 a.m.
Bug Out on the Table Rocks: Hike with Dr. Bill Schaupp, entomologist emeritus with the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Health Protection, to observe and discuss the incredible insects that live on or flutter by the Table Rocks. The hike will focus on forest insects and tree diseases and feature some specimens (gall wasps, bark beetles, wood borers) for show and tell. You will gain a deeper appreciation for how insects live and their essential role in the environment. Limited to 20 individuals. https://bug-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Saturday, June 1, Lower Table Rock Loop Trail, 8 p.m.
Whooo Comes Out at Night?: Look and listen for who comes out at night while hiking the Lower Table Rock Loop Trail (1/2-mile accessible trail) with BLM wildlife biologists Steve Godwin and Emma Busk. No guarantees but they will attempt to lure pygmy, great horned and screech owls as well as other creatures of the night. Learn fascinating information about bats and their importance as they fly overhead. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes. https://owl-hike-2024.eventbrite.com

Published on:

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Did you know? A few facts about the Table Rocks:

  • The 4,864 acres of the Table Rocks are jointly owned, managed and protected by The Nature Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management.
  • The Table Rocks are the ancestral homelands of the Takelma people who lived here since time immemorial. Their descendants, as members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, share stewardship of these traditional lands for past, present, and future generations.
  • The Table Rocks are named for their location along the Rogue River: Upper Table Rock is upstream and Lower Table Rock is downstream.
  • There is an inactive airstrip on Lower Table Rock that was built in 1948.
  • More than 50,000 visitors annually hike the Table Rocks, making it one of the most popular hiking locations in Southern Oregon.
  • The Table Rocks are home to more than 70 species of animals and 340 species of plants including 200 species of wildflowers, including the dwarf wooly meadowfoam (Limnanthes pumila ssp. pumila), which grows nowhere else on Earth but on the top of the Table Rocks.
  • The vernal pools at the top of the Table Rocks are one of the few places that are home to a federally threatened species of fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lynchi.