Off the Map: Choose Your Pace Hiking & Camping Along the Rogue River

Program Registration. We'll meet in front of the Galice Store at 4:00 p.m. then go to our lodge for the evening and assign rooms. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).

In the Galice Lodge dining room, we'll enjoy a meal served by O.R.E. staff with coffee, tea, water, juice, and wine. Feel free to bring your own alcoholic beverages.

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. This program includes both river rafting and raft-supported hiking. Rafts will carry most of your personal gear, as well as food and group supplies. You’ll need to bring a day pack, but you will need to carry only those few items you’ll need along the trail during the day. The location of the camps will result in long hikes on certain days. To avoid this, we transport hikers by raft around certain sections of trail. The sections of the river rafted are mild (class II whitewater and below). 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Meal prepared by program staff at Galice Lodge. Coffee, tea, juice, and water provided.

We'll check out of the lodge and depart for the trail at approximately 8:30 a.m. We will have the choice of a 3.3- or 5-mile hike this morning to either Whiskey Creek or Tyee campsite for our lunch stop. In general, the elevations encountered today (and on subsequent days) are low – starting with 689 feet at the trailhead – but the trail climbs and descends multiple times. In addition, though the trail is of moderate difficulty overall, participants may find certain sections of the trail more challenging. Hikers should be prepared for conditions including rocky slopes, loose gravel, washouts, and downed trees. Hikers should also be aware that poison oak grows along the trail (for this reason we recommend that you consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants).

At riverside, we’ll meet the hiking group and enjoy a lunch freshly prepared by O.R.E. staff.

We'll elect to begin a 4.6- or 6.3-mile hike to Black Bar. From there, we'll have the choice of rafting to our next campsite at Horseshoe Bend or hiking another 2.5 miles.

At the campsite, we'll gather for a meal prepared by O.R.E. staff.

Evening hours each day include leisure time, allowing for swimming, fishing, exploring the area and other campsite activities. Each day may also include instructional presentations on a variety of topics concerning the region’s cultural or natural history.

Meal prepared by program staff at campsite.

The first hiking section will be 5.5 miles to Winkle Bar and lunch. 3.6 miles in, we'll stop for a break by the cool waters of Kelsey Creek. The choice to float the first section of the day is available. At the end of the section, we'll meet the raft guides for lunch at a cabin built by the American Western novelist Zane Grey.

Meal prepared by program staff at riverside.

From Winkle Bar, we'll continue hiking for 5.8 miles to Rogue River Ranch, our campsite for the evening. Those who wish to raft this section are welcome to do so.

Meal prepared by program staff at campsite.

At leisure.

Meal prepared by program staff at campsite.

We'll set out on a 5.2-mile hike from the Rogue River Ranch and watch the raft leaders run the difficult and demanding Blossom Bar rapid. We follow the river as it flows through Mule Creek Canyon. Due to the nature of the river, everyone will be required to hike this section. At Half Moon Bar, we'll meet up with the raft leaders for lunch.

Meal prepared by program staff.

We'll have the choice of hiking 5.4 miles or rafting through the lower part of the river through Huggins Canyon to our camp at Tacoma.

Meal prepared by program staff at campsite.

At leisure.

Meal prepared by program staff at campsite.

We'll head out on a 2.2-mile hike from Tacoma Camp to Flora Dell Falls.

Meal prepared by program staff at riverside.

We're into the homestretch! We'll split from the raft leaders and continue on the final 4.4 miles of the Rogue River Trail. (The choice to float the final segment may be available but is not guaranteed.) At the end of the trail, cool drinks will be available before we board a van and ride back to Galice Resort in time for dinner.

Meal prepared by the Restaurant at Galice Resort.

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

Meal prepared by program staff at Galice Lodge.

The van is set to leave for the airport at 10:30 a.m. 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!