Rogue River Trail: Graves Creek to Whiskey Creek Cabin – March 19, 2022

Hike coordinator: Terry Andreucci

Narration by Terry Andreucci

March 19th turned out to be a typical spring day in southern Oregon… “If you don’t like the weather now, just wait, it will change”. Sure enough, that was the case!

After meeting up in Roseburg, we traveled south on I-5 to Wolf Creek and onto Graves Creek boat launch and the beginning of the Rouge River Wilderness Trail. The hike consisted of a 7 mile out and back from the landing to the historic Whiskey Creek Cabin along the Rouge River.

Jackets on, jackets off, rain gear on, rain gear off… that seemed to be the theme of the day, but it did not dampen the beauty of the scenery or the enthusiasm of the hikers! Early spring wildflowers covered the hillsides in some areas, while the river provided a wonderful array of views, rapids and sounds of rushing water.

During the hike we encountered a sighting of a bald eagle, a spectacular rainbow spanning the river and the interesting history of the Whiskey Creek cabin.

It was another awesome day, surrounded by the wonders of nature and the camaraderie of Friends of the Umpqua!

Pictures below by Rheo Wheeler

Rogue River Graves Creek to Whisky Creek Cabin – January 27, 2018

Hike Coordinator – Brad Bishop

Two carloads of hearty hikers braved the cold, the Rogue and a rookie hike leader on our Graves Creek to Whiskey Creek adventure on January 27. Would it snow? Would anyone be swept into the Rogue by the waterfalls we had to cross? Does Brad know where the heck he’s going? No, No and kinda.

The weather was threatening to rain, but actually did so very little. We even enjoyed an occasional burst of sunlight as we hiked our way along the precarious ridge of the gorge. With the recent rains many of the small waterfalls crossing the trail looked dangerous enough to sweep the unsuspecting into the Wild Rogue, but all of us managed to make it through with guidance from the veteran hikers, some of whom were even pointing out landmarks such as the high-water mark of a 1960’s flood.

Through tree cover and rock outcroppings we made our way to the old Miners Cabin for a cold but dry lunch. There stories of past expeditions on the Wild Rogue were told and a consensus view that if you tried to sleep inside the electric anti-bear food fence, that you would be demoted back to Bushwhacker. 

After the brief respite we headed back to our starting point of Graves Creek with a sense of accomplishment, that, with our toughness, perseverance and determination we could overcome anything nature had to throw at us. Until the trail-runners passed us up, then we did’t feel so tough anymore  

Pictures by Richard O’Neill

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