Overview
Difficulty: Class 1
Distance: 2.8 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Situated in Southern Oregon just off of Interstate 5 are two extremely popular hiking/climbing destinations. Upper Table Rock and
Lower Table Rock.
The Upper Table Rock trail is a moderate hike/climb and gains about 700 feet of elevation in just over 1.4 miles. This area was originally part of an area signed into a
treaty by the Rogue River Indian Tribe and the United States of America on September 10, 1853. It is now owned by both the
Bureau of Land Management and the
Nature Conservancy. Both which give guided tours mainly to school aged children as field trips.
The views are great from Upper Table Rock. You can easily see
Mount McLoughlin, southern Oregon's tallest volcano. Other views include
Lower Table Rock, the Siskyou Mountains and the cities of Central Point, Medford and Ashland as well as Sams Valley.
Getting There
Driving on Interstate 5 North from Medford:
Take the Central Point Exit (#33) right for about one mile until you reach Table Rock Road. Turn left onto Table Rock Road and continue straight for about 7.5 miles. Then turn right onto Modoc Road and continue for about 1.5 more miles. There will be signs along the road directing you to the trailhead.
Driving on Interstate 5 South from Grants Pass:
Take the Central Point Exit (#33). Take a left at the stop light and continue for about one mile until you reach Table Rock Road. Follow Table Rock road for about 7.5 miles and then turn right onto Modoc Road and continue driving for about 1.5 more miles until you reach the trailhead.
Red Tape
No permits are required to visit Upper Table Rock. Access to Upper Table Rock is open year round.
Safety concerns include watching out for Rattlesnakes, ticks and Poison Oak as well as making sure you bring enough water and sunscreen as it can get very hot in the Rogue Valley during the Summer (up to 100+ degrees). Another obvious safety concern is the cliffs around the rim of Upper Table Rock.
RESTRICTIONS:
No motorized vehicles
No Pets
No Camping
No Campfires
No Horses
No Flower Picking
When To Climb
Each season has something to offer. Probably one of the more popular seasons is Spring. There is an abundance of wildflowers that start to bloom around February and on through June. One such wildflower, the Dwarf Wooly Meadowfoam can be found only on Upper and Lower Table Rocks and is not known to be found anywhere else on Earth.
Other attractions include a rare species of Fairy Shrimp that are found in the vernal pools atop Table Rocks and are federally protected as they previously were only found on top of these two ancient lava flows. I am now told by fellow SP member
cjwhat that they can also be found in vernal pools around White City, OR, the Medford, OR airport, throughout Josephine County and in the South Central Valley of California.
Winter is probably the least desirable time to climb because the trail can get muddy from all of the rain. But the views are great no matter what time you decide to go.
Camping
No Camping is allowed on either Lower or Upper Table Rock.
Mountain Conditions
Click the Satellite picture for a video loop of current weather2skinners Other Mountain Pages
Feel free to check out my other mountain pages.
CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS:
Hippo Butte
Red Buttes
Schonchin Butte
DELAWARE MOUNTAINS (HIGHPOINT):
Ebright Azimuth
OREGON MOUNTAINS:
Bolan Mountain
Crater Lake Caldera
Grizzly Peak
Lower Table Rock
Mount Ashland
Mount Thielsen
Soda Mountain
South Sister
WASHINGTON MOUNTAINS:
Discovery Peak
Colonel Bob
Mount Pilchuck