Applegate Valley Scenic Loop Drive

The Applegate Valley is about six miles from downtown Grants Pass and is considered by many to be one of the most scenic areas of southwest Oregon. The roads indicated in the map and guide below are in the northern half of the valley closest to Grants Pass. Additional outdoor recreational opportunities and historic sites can be found in the southern end of the valley including Applegate Lake, the Red Buttes wilderness, Tallow Box Lookout and historic Jacksonville with its network of woodland trails.

Directions
From downtown Grants Pass: Drive south on Sixth Street and cross the bridge over the Rogue River. Be certain to stay in the right lanes so you can continue straight ahead at the "Y" in the road (the left lanes will put you on old Highway 99). The next light past the "Y" is Highway 199. As you cross Highway 199, Sixth Street changes its name to the Williams Highway, Route 238. Zero your odometer as you cross Highway 199 and use the map below to find your way to hiking trails, wolf sanctuary and historic sites.

The map below does not show all roads in the Applegate Valley and is intended to provide general orientation to the location of trails, wineries, and educational organizations on the Applegate Valley Scenic Loop Drive. A published map with detailed road and topographic features should be taken along when driving any routes suggested in the Highway 199 Traveler site.

Applegate Valley scenic loop drive map

1) Cathedral Hills: A network of trails offers good hiking during winter months when high elevation trails are snowed in. The network is open to mountain bikers, equestrian groups and people with dogs. Please recreate safely and courteously.

2) Pacifica: Learn more about this nonprofit, educational organization: http://www.pacificagarden.org/index.htm

3) Cemeteries: If history is something you enjoy, you may want to stop and stroll around the two cemeteries located across the road from each other and overlooking the scenic Applegate Valley. (photo)

4) Bristol Marble Quarry: The marble from this quarry is generally white, unlike the marble seen at Oregon Caves with white marble streaked with black-colored graphite. Some authors claim this quarry was selected to provide the marble block put into the Washington Monument as a representation of the State of Oregon. See a picture of the stone at the official Washington Monument site http://www.nps.gov/wamo/home.htm (click on "memorial stones" on the left side and in the following page find the link to Oregon.)

5) Back country route to Oregon Caves: This is a route over gravel surfaced roads managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service that takes you to Oregon Caves. Snow closes the route in the winter and drivers should check to be certain the road is open before trying to cross in the spring.

6) Howling Acres: This wolf sanctuary is a great educational opportunity for the family in a beautiful corner of the Applegate Valley.

7) Thompson Creek Road: This is a beautiful drive that takes you on both paved and gravel surfaced roads to Applegate Lake with hiking trails, water sports and historic sites. There is an option to enter the Red Buttes wilderness at the Steves Creek trailhead.

8) Tallow Box Mountain Lookout: Directions to the lookout can be found at the following address. To get to Hamilton Road from the Applegate Valley Scenic Loop, drive through the town of Applegate and past Humbug Creek Road (John Michaels Champagne Cellar). Look on the right for Hamilton Road to Beckley-Cantrell Park about two miles past Humbug Creek Road. http://www.or.blm.gov/Medford/recreationsites/tallow_box_lookout.htm

9) John Michaels Champagne Cellar, 1425 Humbug Creek Road. Wine tasting by appointment only: oregonwinery@yahoolcom, 541 846-0810

10) Enchanted Forest Trail : A good winter hiking trail when trails in higher elevations are snowed in.

11) Wine Tasting: Wooldridge Creek Vineyard, 818 Slagle Creek Road. Contact for current hours of operation. wooldridgecreek@earthlink.com.

12) Wine Tasting: Troon Vineyard, 1475 Kubli Road. www.troonvineyard.com

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...