Length: 7.2 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Difficult

Surface: Dirt

Access: From Powers, stay on the main road as it dodges through town, following signs to China Flat, Illahe, Agness. The road becomes Forest Service (FS) Road #33 about four miles from Powers. 17 miles from Powers, turn left (east) on FS Road #3348. About two miles up, just past a sign for the Coquille Falls Natural Research Area, turn right (west) on FS Road #5520, following signs to Bald Knob Lookout and Panther Ridge Trail. About 2.5 miles turn right (west) onto FS Road # 050 to the Clay Hill trailhead. Road access may be restricted by snow in winter/early spring.

Setting and Attractions: This trip traverses one of the most intense stands of wild rhododendrons in the region. Approximately 95% of this trail is in the Wild Rogue Wilderness with magnificent stands of old growth trees and scrub oak undergrowth. While there are many scenic parts of this trial, some deserve particular note: The Panther Camp Meadow; Hanging Rock, a high outcrop with a breathtaking view into the Eden Valley and far away in to the Rogue River canyon.

· Trail description: The trail has several access points: 1. Clay Hill (noted in directions above 2. Hanging Rock on FS #140, and 3. Buck Point on FS Road #230. Panther Camp Meadow is located on a side trail about halfway along Panther Ridge and Hanging Rock is located at the extreme east end of Panther Ridge. Watch your step – the giant boulder which is Hanging Rock is situated on a sheer cliff, high above the trees below. Also, there’s snow on this section of trail in winter through early spring.

For more information, trail conditions and maps contact: Powers Ranger District at (541)439-3011 or visit the Siskiyou National Forest web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siskiyou/index.html