Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Recreational Activities - Trails

Mule Creek Trail 1159

Season:	Spring, Summer and Fall
Elevation:	400 Feet Lowest 2,800 Feet Highest (Approximate)
Length:	7.0 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:		to	More Difficult to Most Difficult - Hiker
		to	More Difficult to Most Difficult - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:	Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive
Trail is Not Designed for:	Barrier Free
Level of Use:	Light to Moderate
Facilities:	South Trailhead: • Parking • Nearby BLM Tucker Flat Campground
Maps:	Gold Ranger District Map Kalmiopsis and Wild Rogue Wilderness Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:	None

Description: The Mule Creek trail is located in the Wild Rogue Wilderness. This trail was constructed in the early 1900s and historically has been used by miners and other early settlers as a pack trail to bring supplies in. The Forest Service also used it to reach the lookout tower at Hanging Rock and the guard station at Marial. Hikers will enjoy a part of our history as well as views, wildflowers and wildlife.

The best time to hike the trail is in the Spring or Fall. Summer temperatures can reach 100 F on south facing slopes. Camping along the trail is at dispersed sites. Carry water with you. Water is available near the south trailhead at the Rogue River Ranch. The water at Tucker Flat campground is not potable. North trailhead has no spring water. Rattlesnakes and poison oak are present, use caution.

The north end of the trail connects with the Panther Ridge Trail. The south end of the trail is 0.5 mile from the Rogue River Ranch. The Rogue River National Recreation Trail can be accessed from here as well as the Historic Kelsey Pack Trail.

No motorized or mechanized equipment (i.e. bicycles) are allowed within the Wilderness.

Access:

North End

From the West: From Gold Beach on State Route 101, take County road 595 east to Forest Service road 33. Continue on Forest Service road 33 to Forest Service road 3310, following it until Forest Service road 3340. On Forest Service road 3340, travel northwest until it connects with Forest Service road 33. Take a right at the intersection with Forest Service road 3348 and continue on to the Buck Creek campground where you will turn right on Forest Service road 5520. Forest Service road 5520 will take you to the parking area for the trail.

From the East: From the Glendale exit on I-5 go west and into town where you will head northwest on County road 27, continuing on as it becomes Bureau of Land Management road 33-7-2. At intersection of Cow Creek and West Cow Creek roads go left, following West Cow Creek (Bureau of Land Management road 32-8-1. 1). Approximately three and one-half miles take a left onto the Bobby Creek Road (Bureau of Land Management road 32-8-9.2) following it up to Nine Mile Saddle. Go right and continue on Kelsey Mule Road (Bureau of Land Management road 32-8-3 1) through Anaktuvik Saddle and west until it becomes Forest Service road 5520. Follow Forest Service road 5520 to parking area.

South End

From I-5 take the Merlin Exit. Drive west on the Merlin-Galice Road approximately 23 miles. Continue across The Grave Creek Bridge and onto the Mt. Reuben Road (Bureau of Land Management road 34-8-2) until it junctions with the Kelsey Mule Road, go left. Approximately 0.25 mile west, at Marial Saddle, go left on Marial Road (Bureau of Land Management road 32-9-14.2) following signs to Tucker Flat Campground. Trailhead is at rear of campground.

Bureau of Land Management Information on Mule Creek Trail