When I travel to Southern Oregon and I’m in the vicinity of Medford I take some time to climb one of the Table Rocks… either Upper Table Rocks or Lower Table Rocks. In season there are spectacular wildflower displays on these hills. On the way south on I-5, passing Canyonville, roadside snow gave me some warning of what was to come.
Today I headed for Upper Table Rock… no particular reason for the choice except to change the view.
At Upper Table Rock ambient air temperature was close to 50 degrees but snow lingered in the shadows. When wet the dirt around the parking lot is the stickiest stuff known to man… a few steps in this stuff and your feet begin to feel like you are walking with snowshoes.
About a hundred yards up the trail I turned back because the trail ahead was icy… and as elevation increased it would only get worse. I would need crampon traction devices to safely negotiate the trail.
I’ll be back when the snow is gone.
byLarry
