Cave Junction OR: The Rough and Ready botanical area is near Cave Junction and provides an easy trail to the wildflower delights of the area. We spent a couple hours wandering and photographing before setting out for the Illinois River road.
Marvin wanted a picture of a Creek Trillium that grows along the Illinois River. Several years ago we were in this area but the weather was cold and wet. We found a few specimens but they were drowned rats. We had much better weather this trip. We had high hopes of finding the trillium.
We made several stops along the river, notably at Six Mile Camp. There was a butterfly hatch in progress and we saw a hummingbird moth (failed to get a picture). We eventually found the trillium roadside and captured several images.
At the end of the road is the trail #1162 to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. The last mile of the road is barely improved and not recommended for low clearance vehicles. In wet weather four wheel drive would be best.
It was late afternoon but we decided to hike a ways out and look around. The infamous Biscuit Burn (about 500,000 acres) is visible in all directions but the scenery is still fabulous. We met some hikers and they encouraged us to continue… they estimated it was another mile and a half to where the kalmiopsis was blooming.
We trudged along for about a mile and met another pair of hikers… they also raved about the kalmiopsis but they also said it was at least another mile and a half… I could see the trail cross over the ridge ahead and asked if it was past that… they said it was… there was no way we could walk that far and be back to the pickup by dark so we turned back, vowing to make the trip another day.
byLarry
