Rogue River Trail

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There are miles and miles of the Rogue River Trail, after all, the river begins in the high Cascade Mountains and ends on the beach in Gold Beach, Oregon, where it dumps into the Pacific Ocean.  The lower portion of the river is the more famous, made so by Zane Grey, who fished there often.
The upper portion is also rugged and spectacularly beautiful from Boundary Springs (considered the headwaters of the north fork) down to the unincorporated town of Prospect.
Today, we're going to cover a more serene section around Lost Creek Lake, an 11-mile section just below the city of Prospect.  We'll circle the lake, crossing the dam, rest occasionally and take a side trip or two.  If you plan the trip just right, you can end up at the resort at dinner time, a nice ending to a great day hiking.
Let's begin at the resort and Marina off highway 62 about 40 miles from Medford, Oregon.  The resort is easy to find by the roadway signs.
A large parking area is near the resort.  If you've forgotten to bring anything, the bait shop is well stocked.  remember to take drinking water.
Near the parking area, take the trail by the resort and continue east toward Stewart State Park--incidentally a good place to camp for the evening in one of 150-some sites.  the park is just a couple miles from the resort on an easy trail that is mostly paved.  From the campground, continue east where you will come out at Peyton Bridge.

Peyton Bridge near the upper end of Lost Creek Lake

As you come off the trail near the Bridge, the only way across, other than swimming, is by crossing the bridge. 
Peyton Bridge often gets mention on the news, because there is always someone who believes they can jump from it and survive.  During some of the low-water months, that's a 125-foot plunge, and while no one ever hears of the survivors, you hear plenty of those who don't.
Just beyond the bridge, Lewis Road turns off to the left, in a westerly direction.  Not too far along Lewis Road, you'll find the trail again, only this time, the pathway is gravel.

Fire Glen Camp dates from the days of a forest fire.

Along the trail wildflowers abound

There are enough signs along the way that a person won't get lost, and the reservoir will always be off your left shoulder.

By now, the legs should be getting pretty well warmed up.  Good thing, because we're going to take a side trip that will require a little stretching and perhaps a little extra shot of water.  Grotto Falls  is off to the right, up a steeper trail, but not far from the main trail.  This falls is only there during the spring and winter months.  So plan on being here just as the rainy season breaks for summer.

Grotto Falls when it isn't

As you can see, the falls runs over solid rock, so when the weather dries, so too, does the falls.

One of the smaller arms of the reservoir

Along the trail, you'll see many fishermen, mostly in boats, trolling for Trout of Bass.  Lost Creek Reservoir is often the site of Bass tournaments, and during that time, the lake is crowded with boats zipping all over the surface of the water.
As you progress around the lake, you encounter a couple of small parks where boaters can launch their craft and soon you gain sight of the huge intake tower near the dam.  fishermen often line the walkway out to the tower and you often hear the words "fish on."
Crossing the dam, continue on around the lake by taking another left and soon you're on the trail back to the Marina.

Oregon Grape in Bloom

If you haven't stopped too long in any one place, you'll be back to the marina in time for dinner.  Hope you've enjoyed the hike, and thanks for letting me do the driving.

Lost Creek Lake