Great Spaces: The Applegate

If you’ve ever spent much time exploring the Applegate, you are probably well aware of McKee Bridge, Applegate Lake, The Bigfoot Trap, and all there is to do in this scenic corner of Southern Oregon. As visitors head into the Applegate Valley, the road curves along with the Applegate River, which flows eight miles north of the California border until it joins the Rogue River, west of Grants Pass. Along Highway 238, from Jacksonville to Grants Pass, the Applegate Valley boasts some of Oregon’s best wineries and pastoral scenery—as well as recreation for the whole family.

The McKee Bridge, a 1917 covered bridge (one of the oldest in the state), spans the Applegate River and has been carefully preserved for pedestrian traffic by the local McKee Committee. In the mining heyday of Southern Oregon, the bridge was actually a rest stop on the north-to-south route for miners heading to and from Jacksonville. Today, it’s more than just a stop—with most visitors, it’s the destination!

The McKee Bridge is not only a historic sight, but also a recreation spot for swimmers and picnic-ers. In the summer, when the water’s not quite as frigid as it is during other months, you can spend a whole day at the river and reserve the community kitchen, which includes a stone fireplace under a pine timber shelter. This kitchen is perfectly utilized during weddings, reunions, or other group events, and brings the community into the outdoor wonder of the Applegate Valley.

Farther down the road, visitors will come across Applegate Lake, a 988-acre reservoir known as a hotspot for fishing, boating, and swimming. In 1962, the United States Congress authorized the construction of Applegate Dam, which took until 1980 to finish. The goal was to help with flood control, as well as store water for irrigation and recreation. Today, in the summer months, the Hart-Tish Campground is open to seven tent sites and eight RV sites, and the on-site general store rents out kayaks and paddle boards. There is a boat ramp, but no speeds above 10mph, partially to ensure fishers have peace and quiet while catching rainbow trout and Chinook salmon.

If you’d prefer not to go near the water, there are plenty of other recreation opportunities around the lake—including a 17.2 mile biking trail, a 4.4 mile equestrian trail, and a chance to visit the famed Bigfoot Trap, built in 1974 by the North American Wildlife Research Team. To find this Applegate landmark, follow the Collins Mountain Trail, which begins at the Hart-Tish Park picnic area and crosses the Upper Applegate Road before heading down to Grouse Creek. The Bigfoot trap is along the trail toward the beginning; if you reach the ridge top, gaining 1,000 feet in elevation, you’ve gone too far—though the trail has numerous views of the lake and the Siskiyou Crest, so it’s worth the climb. The Bigfoot Trap was actually baited with raw meat for a few years in the 70’s—and caught several bears. Today, the tourists who wander inside are the only bait in use and you’re more likely to see deer than bears or Bigfoot. Yet as is the case whenever you hike in the Pacific Northwest…keep your eyes open for Oregon’s elusive friend.

After a day of hiking, swimming, or exploring the Applegate, don’t forget to stop by the valley’s wineries and tasting rooms. Between Jacksonville and Grants Pass, there are nearly twenty wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. And for the visitor who can’t choose just one…sample an assortment of wines on a guided tour and meet some of Southern Oregon’s talented vintners.

So, feel free to start ranking your to-do list. Whether swimming in Applegate Lake holds the top spot, or sitting on a patio sipping the produce of local grapes, this Southern Oregon region has enough activities to fill a weekend—or several weekends.

(Strategy 4.4.2.- Diversify Outdoor Recreation Offerings to Include Shoulder, Low-Season, and Off-Season Opportunities and Promote Tourism at Lesser-Known Destinations)

Photo Credit to NW Horse Trails.com and 101 Things to Do.com