National BLM > OR/WA > Recreation > Table Rocks

Table Rocks Weekend Spring Hike Season 2009

Wildflowers are beginning to show their color, vernal pools are buzzing with life, spring time is returning to the southern Oregon landscape, and it is once again time for the annual spring Table Rocks guided hike season. The Nature Conservancy and the BLM are offering their annual weekend series of guided, educational walks on the Table Rocks in April and May. This popular hike series promises a spectacular view of the Rogue Valley, a natural wildflower display, and expert interpretation from specialists on the natural and cultural history of the area. Anyone from the community is welcome to sign up. There is no fee to participate, but reservations are required. To reserve a space on a hike call the BLM Medford District Office at (541) 618-2200. Participation is limited to 30 individuals per hike, unless other wise noted. The weekend hike schedule can be viewed on the BLM’s Table Rocks website and The Nature Conservancy website.

Participants in both the weekday and weekend hikes should dress for the weather and should bring a lunch and something to drink. There is no drinking water at either Upper or Lower Table Rocks. Restrooms are available at both trailheads. To help protect this special place and its inhabitants, dogs are not allowed on the trail. The hikes range from three to five miles roundtrip along a moderate grade trail, and last three to five hours.

In addition to the spring hikes this year, a special event is planned for Saturday May 16 to celebrate thirty years of conservation at the Table Rocks and Take Care of Oregon Day. The public is invited to join a volunteer work party, participate in interpretive activities and honor the cultural heritage of the Table Rocks through a Native American ceremony. Details will be released in a future announcement.

2009 Table Rocks Weekend Hike Season Spring Schedule
Saturday, April 4	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Moss and Lichen Join certified Lichenologist John Villella, a botanist with the Siskiyou Biosurvey and member of the American Bryological and Lichenological Society, on a hike to explore the unique variety of important non-vascular plants that live on the Table Rocks.
Sunday, April 5	8:00 am	LOWER TABLE ROCK Wonderful Wildlife Come learn about life in the wild for our furry and feathered friends with Marylou Schnoes, a Wildlife Biologist for the BLM, on a hikeinvestigating the biology and ecology of animals found on and around the Table Rocks. Bring your binoculars and bird books to help observe and identify Table Rocks bird in!
Saturday, April 11	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Living with “Titanakh” Come discover the unique cultural history, ethnobotany, and ecology of the Table Rocks with BLM Naturalist Leah Schrodt.
Saturday, April 18	9:30 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Spring in Bloom Marcia Wineteer, BLM Botanist and Native Plant Society of Oregon member, will lead a hike that focuses on the spring wildflowers and native plant communities of the Table Rocks.
Sunday, April 19	10:00 am	LOWER TABLE ROCK Wildflowers Abound Barbara Mumblo, Botanist with the U.S. Forest Service, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District and member of the Native Plant Society of Oregon will lead a hike to discover the dazzling array of wildflowers found on the Table Rocks.
Saturday, April 25	10:00 am	LOWER TABLE ROCK 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 and legends of the Takelma Indians, as well as some history of the Table Rocks area during the “Indian Wars” of the 1850s.
Saturday, April 25	1:00 pm	LOWER TABLE ROCK Nature Photography Join Terry Tuttle, retired forester and professional photographer on a nature photography hike. Wildflowers, landscape, and wildlife photography will be covered. Bring your camera with a cover (in case of rain) and a light tripod if you have one. Terry will be joined by members of the Southern Oregon Photo Association Club to help as well. For more information, visit www.sopacameraclub.org. Participation will be limited to 20 individuals.
Sunday, April 26	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Layers of Time Bill Elliott, Associate Professor of Geology in the Department of Environmental Studies at Southern Oregon University, will describe the formation of the Table Rocks and the unique geological features observed along a hike to the top of this ancient lava flow.
Saturday, May 2	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK For the Beginning Naturalist Join BLM naturalist Bucky Dennerlein on a discovery of the unique natural and cultural history of the Table Rocks. This hike is suited for all ages and is designed to offer identification tips and techniques for discovering the rich natural resources in our backyard!
Sunday, May 3	8:30 am	LOWER TABLE ROCK For the Early Birds Harry Fuller, A Klamath Bird Observatory volunteer and experienced field trip leader, will take you to view the spring birds of Table Rocks. Learn identification tips and conservation information. Highlights may include Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Western Bluebirds, California Towhee, and migrating warblers. Buckbrush should be in bloom attracting hummingbirds. Bring binoculars and identification books if you desire. Participation will be limited to 15 individuals.
Saturday, May 9	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Conservation History Learn about the remarkable efforts that protected the Table Rocks from development and ensured public access to this amazing natural landmark as you hike with Molly Sullivan, Stewardship Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy. Enjoy the flowers, wildlife and views that make the Table Rocks a community treasure.
Sunday, May 10	10:00 am	LOWER TABLE ROCK Mother's Day Family Hike Spend Mother’s Day with Heather Armstrong, a BLM environmental educator, on a family hike to the top of the rock! This is a general information hike suitable for the whole family and is guaranteed to spark everyone’s curiosity about the natural world. Topics will include wildflower identification, geology, wildlife, ecology and cultural history.
Saturday, May 16	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK Incredible Insects! Dr. Peter Schroeder, Associate Professor of Biology and Entomologist at Southern Oregon University will lead a hike to explore and discuss the amazing natural history and ecology of the 6 and 8-legged animals found on and around the Table Rocks.
Sunday, May 17	10:00 am	UPPER TABLE ROCK "Ethnobotany is the science of people's relationship with plants." Nancy Turner, Ethnobotanist Come learn the various uses of the plants on the Table Rocks! Join Donn Todt, ethnobotanist and horticulturist for the Ashland Parks Department, on an exploration of local ethnobotany. Donn has published several articles on regional ethnobotany that have appeared in the Journal of California, Great Basin Anthropology, the Journal of Ethnobiology, and Southern Oregon Heritage Today. Participation will be limited to 25 individuals.