Rogue River Valley, Oregon - Southern Oregon is divided into three main river basins; the Umpqua River, the Rogue River, and the Klamath Basin. The Umpqua meets the Pacific at Reedsport, the Rogue mouth is near Gold Beach, and the Klamath empties at the Redwoods National Park in Northern California. All three rivers have their headwaters in the Cascade Mountains on the slopes of Crater Lake, Oregon's only national park. The Rogue River is a designated National Scenic River, and formed much of the backdrop for the Meryl Streep movie "The River Wild." Jet boat trips and white water rafting are very popular.

Rogue River Valley

Rogue River Valley, Oregon - A beautiful place to visit, a wonderful place to live. Come and find a place to call your own. Southern Oregon is a great place to own a home and grow your family.

Rogue River Valley
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Rogue River Valley - Oregon Travel Guide

Articles from the Historical Society in Josephine County Oregon

Pack Trains

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Stoves, wagons, hydraulic giants, ten feet or more long and of great weight were conveyed in this manner and hydraulic pipe in sections 20 feet long is transported over mountains very steep to mining claims.

In fact, any article not over 500 lbs. can be packed on Mules in this manner, no matter how odd the shape.

In the year 1854, the charge for hauling goods from Crescent City was six to seven cents a pound--- or more if there was a shortage of mules. Mules could be hired for about six dollars a day.

Equipment for pack mules cost about $75. Mules were used instead of horses because of their dependability.

When the railroad reached Southern Oregon in 1883, the pack trails were abandoned for improved wagon roads to and from the railroad.

Many of the old pack trails are still in existence although greatly fragmented and in disrepair. They are used more today for back packing to the many recreational sites in the valley.

There is no one around today that can remember hearing the distant sound of the bells that were hung around the lead mules neck letting you know that the way was narrow and please, find a place to pull out so they could pass.

People who never saw a pack train would be astonished at the load the mules carried on a packsaddle or Arrapaho.

Rogue River Valley, Oregon - The Siskiyou Mountains stretch between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range at the California border. The entire area is more vertical than most other parts of the state, which leads to numerous waterfalls, lots of whitewater rapids, and some spectacular scenery. Rogue River Valley is outside the main population centers of the state and the area has a very rural flavor. Major industries are tourism, wood products and agriculture. The climate is generally milder and more Mediterranean than North Western Oregon. Average rainfallis about 20 % lower and the temperatures are a bit higher.