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M/SUNNY Temp: 46 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Sunday, April 13, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 1, 2003 Spots fill up fast for guided hikes of Table Rock trails By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Barbara Mumblo figures it’s a compliment when someone tells her to take a hike. Particularly if it leads her up Lower Table Rock. "It is one of the better places of the valley to see a large variety of wildflowers right now," said Mumblo, botanist for the Forest Service’s Applegate Ranger District. "You go through the white oak plant community, grassland, then into shrubs, buck brush, mountain mahogany and Douglas fir," she added. "When you go through all those transitions, you get up on top and get those views from the top. It’s wonderful." She is one the specialists leading hikes to Lower and Upper Table Rocks in the annual guided educational hikes organized by the Bureau of Land Management and The Nature Conservancy. The hikes — there are 25 in all this spring — begin Saturday. Led by local experts in a variety of fields, they will be held every weekend through May 18. Participants in the weekend interpretive hikes must make reservations, and the spots invariably fill up fast. Each hike is limited to 30 people. There is no charge. In addition to getting spectacular views of the Rogue Valley, hikers will likely see a variety of wildflowers, among them Henderson’s fawn lily, purple grass widows, shooting stars, hound’s-tongue and buttercups. Rare meadow foam also should be blooming soon. Seasonal vernal pools atop the rocks likely will contain a few endangered fairy shrimp, providing waterfowl haven’t gobbled them all. And there are flocks of birds as well as an occasional reptile to see. During the hikes, experts will discuss the flora and fauna along with the area’s geologic features and cultural history. For Mumblo, the Table Rocks are among her favorite places to hike. "That’s what gets me back up there every year," she said. "You could go up there every week or two and see a different color combination of flowers." Weekend hike reservations can be made by calling 618-2200. Each hike takes about four hours. Hikers should dress for the weather and bring water and a lunch. Binoculars are also handy. No pets are allowed. For those who want to take a guided weekday hike, call BLM project coordinator Britney Shull at 618-2327. All of the guided hikes cover three to five miles on moderately difficult trails. Visitors are asked to be respectful of the wildlife as well as those who have yet to hike the Table Rocks by staying on established trails and carrying out only what they carry in. Both Table Rocks are off Table Rock Road north of Medford, with the Upper Table Rock trailhead along Modoc Road and the Lower Table Rock trailhead along Wheeler Road. A restroom is available at each of the trailheads. The trails are open year round from dawn to dusk. No camping is allowed. Spring hikes Following are some of the guided weekend hikes scheduled for this spring. More details may be found at www.or.blm.gov/medford : April 6, 12:30 p.m. — Lower Table Rock. Dusty Pence, BLM fuels management specialist, will discuss the role wildfires have played in the local ecosystem. April 12, 10 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Barbara Mumblo, Forest Service botanist, leads a wildflower walk. April 12, 7 — 10 p.m. — Lower Table Rock. Noelle Jordan, environmental education instructor, will lead a night tour. Bring a flashlight. April 13, 12:30 p.m. — Lower Table Rock. Martin Vavra, BLM fire technician, will discuss the use of prescribed fires to help manage woodland areas. April 19, 10 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. Marcia Wineteer, BLM botanist, will lead a wildflower walk. April 19, 10 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Dusty Pence, BLM fuels management specialist, will discuss the role wildfires have played in the local ecosystem. April 20, 12:30 p.m. — Upper Table Rock. Martin Vavra, BLM fire technician, will discuss the use of prescribed fires to help manage woodland areas. April 20, 12:30 p.m. — Lower Table Rock. Molly Sullivan, botanist with The Nature Conservancy, will lead a wildflower walk and discuss how the preserve is unique. April 26, 10 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. Frank Hladky, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries geologist, will discuss his published research on the structure and formation of the Table Rocks. April 26, 8 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Audubon Society members Vince Zausky, Bob Quaccia and Tom Phillips will lead walk focusing on natural and cultural history of the Table Rocks with an emphasis on bird watching. April 27, 8 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. Chris Reyes-Bucher, author of "The Table Rocks of Jackson County: Islands in the Sky," will discuss the rock’s outstanding features. April 27, 8 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Ben Wieland, Klamath Bird Observatory, bird watching hike. May 3, 10 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. Jack Leishman, naturalist with Southern Oregon Nature Excursions, natural history hike. May 3, 10 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Amanda Darlak, BLM park ranger and environmental educator, focuses on habitat needs, adaptations and natural history of reptiles and amphibians. May 4, 12:30 p.m. — Upper Table Rock. Martin Vavra, BLM fire technician, will discuss the use of prescribed fires to help manage woodland areas. May 4, 12:30 p.m. — Lower Table Rock. Lori Sims, BLM botanist, wildflower hike. May 10, 10 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. Vicki Arthur, BLM wildlife biologist, hike to appreciate International Migratory Bird Day. May 10, 10 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Jeff LaLande, Forest Service archaeologist and historian, will discuss local culture, legend and history related to the rocks. May 10, 7:30 — 10:30 p.m. — Upper Table Rock. Noelle Jordan, environmental education instructor, will lead a night tour. Bring a flashlight. May 11, 12:30 p.m. — Upper Table Rock. BLM specialist will lead hike to explore everything from botany to wildlife. May 11, 8 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Jim Harleman, bird specialist, birding hike. May 17, 10 a.m. — Upper Table Rock. BLM specialist explores Native American history. May 17, 10 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Herbalist Michael Altman and clinical herbalist Karen Wennlund discuss medicinal values of local plants. May 18, 12:30 p.m. — Upper Table Rock. BLM specialist will lead hike to explore everything from botany to wildlife. May 18, 8 a.m. — Lower Table Rock. Jim Harleman, bird specialist, birding hike. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S