Rogue River Trail segment closed by landslide, limiting popular spring backpacking trip
One of spring’s most popular backpacking trips has been limited by a gigantic landslide in southern Oregon.
The Rogue River Trail, which stretches 40 miles from outside Grants Pass to outside Gold Beach, is closed at mile 21.5, meaning the popular one-way backpacking trip can’t be completed, the Bureau of Land Management said.
The active landslide “obliterated approximately 150 feet of the trail” and there is “no clear, safe route around or over this obstruction,” the agency said. “Traversing this active slide would expose a hiker to the possibility of injury or death if they lost their footing.
“Any decision to violate a closure order includes accepting the risk of the associated penalty.”
Backpackers can still hike in from either side of the trail and camp but must turn back.
The Rogue River Trail is one of the state’s best early season backpacking routes, offering the possibility to spend nights at rustic lodges along the trail.
BLM said crews are working to address the landslide and reopen the section of trail, but no timetable was offered for reopening.
"We are sending a crew out early next week to assess the situation and help determine what resources will be needed to repair the affected section of the trail," BLM spokeswoman Sarah Bennett said. "Right now, we don’t have an estimate of when the impacted portion of the trail will reopen. Repairs are likely to take a while given the significance of the slide, the location, and the resources necessary to stabilize the slope above the trail."
Raft-aided commercial hiking trips are still continuing on the trail, with raft crews able to ferry hikers around the landslide.
It’s been a tough go for the Rogue River Canyon, in the scenic part of southern Oregon. A large structure fire burned popular Galice Resort two years ago and the historic spot is now up for sale. Then, last year, the Rum Creek Fire burned some of the canyon and has kept popular Rainie Falls Trail closed. A segment of Galice Road, from just past Almeda Park to Grave Creek, also remains closed due to wildfire damage.
"We know it’s a popular trail and a popular time of year. Safety is our top priority, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we evaluate and mitigate the risks caused by the slide," Bennett added.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Rogue River Trail in Oregon partially closed by landslide
