17 NOVEMBER 2025 | HANGING ROCK, OR. -- Last week we reported that the lower section of the Rogue River Trail would be closed, confirmed by fire officials. This week the official long-term closure was issued. It goes through December 31, 2026, unless sooner rescinded.
It also closes the Clay Hill Trail, closing Wild Rogue Loop we restored in 2015 and have maintained ever since. The official closure order is available here.
It would be intuitive for this news to come as a major letdown to the Club's executive director, Gabriel Howe. He says he's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support work on the trails and it is not good timing, "what with DC priorities right now." But he says he sees an opportunity. "This is the time for someone who has the resources and loves the Wild Rogue to endow it," he says.
"We can keep it open in perpetuity, no matter who is in office or in charge, with the right-sized investment. That's a real possibility and we are here for the community to make it happen."
Have you hiked or backpacked the Rogue River Trail recently, or have you hiked the Wild Rogue Loop? We'd love to include your voice in our ongoing coverage of the trail. Email info@siskiyoumountainclub.org or call 458-254-0657 if you'd be willing to share about your experience and have the quotes published.
