A young hiker takes in the trail on Upper Table Rock in June 2020. Portions of the trail that are steep and subject to washing out during heavy rain are being reconstructed so they are less steep and more durable. The trail will close weekdays for about five weeks, starting Monday.

The popular Upper Table Rock Trail will be closed weekdays for trail reconstruction from Oct. 16 to Nov. 22, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

The reconstruction will re-route portions of the trail that are steep and wash out during heavy rain, leaving behind muddy paths and tripping hazards.

The new sections will reduce the slope of the trail and provide a more durable trail surface that requires less maintenance. Small excavators and motorized trail-building equipment will be used during the work.

“Upper Table Rock is an iconic hike in the Rogue Valley, and this work is necessary to create a safer, more durable trail,” said Jared Nichol, field manager of the agency’s Butte Falls office. “This closure is a great opportunity to explore some of the other incredible trails in the area.”

Lower Table Rock, located off of Wheeler Road, is about 3 miles west of Upper Table Rock and has its own trails, which remain open.

The Table Rocks, located about 5 miles north of Medford, are lava-capped mesas. They are some of the most highly used trails in the valley, with almost 60,000 visitors each year, according to the BLM.

Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to hold annual celebration

The Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument organization is scheduled to hold its 2023 Friends Annual Celebration from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pinehurst School, 15337 Highway 66.

The keynote speaker for the event is Jakob Shockey, executive director of Project Beaver. Also scheduled to speak is Collette Streight, executive director of the Friends group, who will speak about this year’s accomplishments and look forward to next year.

The event features catered food, nonalcoholic drinks, music, activities and a raffle. Tickets are $25 for students, $45 for adults and $100 for families up to two adults and three children. A free shuttle from Ashland leaves at 2:45 p.m. and returns by 7:30 p.m.

Buy tickets online at cascadesiskiyou.org. For more information, call 541-378-3039.

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In another upcoming event for the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, a Hike and Learn is set for Nov. 10-11.

First up is a lecture by Rich Fairbanks about the history and ecology of fire in the monument. The lecture is set for 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Ashland Food Co-op, 300 N. Pioneer St. in Ashland.

The hike is a 2.2-mile trek set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 on the Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail. Meet up before the hike at 9 a.m. in the Rite Aid parking lot, 2341 Ashland St.

Fish and Wildlife department reports three Rogue Pack wolf attacks on livestock

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports there have been three recent attacks on livestock by wolves in the Rogue Pack that roams eastern Jackson and western Klamath counties.

The attacks included a steer killed in the Wood River Valley in Klamath County, a steer killed in the Rancheria area in Jackson County and a calf killed in the Rancheria area. Those cases were investigated Sept. 7, Sept. 22 and Oct. 3, respectively.

The kills were the first confirmed fatal attacks involving the pack since May 30, when a calf was killed in the Wood River Valley. Four kills by the pack have been confirmed so far this year, compared with 18 in all of last year.

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In a matter also related to wolves, ODFW has launched a video series about wolf biology and behavior. The series, “Understanding Wolves,” is based on data the agency has collected over the years.

The first video features spectacular photography and follows wolves OR7 and OR93 as they leave their birth packs and travel in search of a mate and a new home. View it at dfw.state.or.us/wolves/videos.html.

Rogue Riverkeeper plans outings to view salmon

Rogue Riverkeeper, a program of the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center in Ashland, has scheduled three upcoming salmon-related outings, including a bike ride along the Bear Creek Greenway and walks along the Applegate River and Bear Creek. Participants can:

• Ride the Bear Creek Greenway from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 22 from Central Point upstream and back, a total of 4 miles, stopping along the way to look for spawning salmon.

• Walk along the Applegate River from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 27, viewing salmon along the way.

• Take a casual stroll on dirt and paved surfaces along Bear Creek in south Medford at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 with Emily Bowes, conservation director, to near Coyote Trails, where salmon are known to spawn. Those in costume get a special gift.

Space is limited. Register online at rogueriverkeeper.org for more details. Call 541-488-9831 for more information.

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In other upcoming events from Rogue Riverkeeper, the organization will co-host two environmental film showings, from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 16 at the Southern Oregon University Science Lecture Hall, 1250 Ashland St. in Ashland:

• “Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty,” which will show Nov. 2, is a 78-minute film exploring the origins of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Producer Kevin White will take questions afterwards.

• “Sisters in Arms,” which will show Nov. 16, is a 70-minute film about what it looks like to be a young environmental advocate today. There will be an introduction by creator Henri De Gerlanche and a question-and-answer session afterward with Julia Butterfly Hill.

Space is limited. Register online at rogueriverkeeper.org. Call 541-488-9831 for more information.