Upper Table Rock Trail

The Table Rocks (Upper and Lower - named for their relationship to the Rogue River) are two of the most prominent topographic features in the Rogue Valley. Lava flows once covered the entire valley. Over geologic time, the meandering Rogue River eroded away all of these flows except for the Table Rocks, which now rise 800 feet above the current level of the river. The flat summit of Upper is a unique and delicate mounded prairie habitat, where rainwater and snow melt collect seasonally to create vernal pools. These vernal pools are a rare habitat that supports a Federally-listed threatened species of fairy shrimp and a state-threatened plant - the dwarf wooly meadowfoam - found nowhere else in the world. In the Spring, the entire plateau is awash in numerous species of colorful wildflowers.

The trail from the parking lot climbs to a low wooden fence at the top of the plateau. The fence protects the vernal pool habitat. A trail goes south from here to the southern tip of the southern "horseshoe" of Upper Table, for views of the Rogue Valley, the Siskiyou Crest, and Mount McLoughlin. Another trail goes directly west from here for more views of the Valley and of the cliffs on the other side of the horseshoe. A final trail turns north from here to connect with the remnants of Pumice Lane which can be followed around past the VORTAC station to the other side of the horseshoe.