July 18, 2012, 4:04 pm

COOL OFF AT THE ROGUE’S ROUGH RIDER FALLS

The Rogue Valley heat index has officially hit boiling, as temperatures climbed into the high 90s last week and are expected to travel there again this upcoming weekend.

One excellent place to cool off is the Upper Rogue River Trail, which is located along a stretch of trail between Mazama View Point and Haymaker Campground off Highway 230 near Crater Lake.

The trail follows the Rogue in its infancy — Boundary Springs, the river’s headwaters, are just a few miles upstream — through a mossy forest thick with pine trees.

On a sunny day, the woods are cool and smell of sweet pine sap lingers. The Rogue has an ice-blue color and collects in pools where those with true grit can try taking a dip.

The highlight is Rough Rider Falls, a 50-foot cascade that drops into a misty green bowl at the four-mile mark. It’s a place to enjoy the Upper Rogue’s natural air conditioning on a hot day.

(The best place to start the hike is off Forest Road 6530, just past the Haymaker Campground, past milepost 12 on Highway 230. From this trailhead, the hike is just less than eight miles round-trip to Rough Rider Falls).

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Past blogs

VIDEO: TAKE A RIDE DOWN THE WILD ILLINOIS RIVER

WILD PEAKS OF THE SISKIYOUS DRAW AVERAGE JOES AND ADRENALINE JUNKIES

BODY OF DROWNING VICTIM FOUND BY KAYAKERS

SPRING AND FALL CHINOOK HITTING LINES IN LOWER ROGUE

HIGH PRESSURE, CALIFORNIA FIRES TO BLAME FOR HAZY SKIES

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