Fish Hatchery Loop Trail, Oregon

This moderately difficult trail takes you through a variety of plant communities and includes a section that follows the 1857 Turnpike and Puncheon Road, the first road constructed between the gold mining town of Jacksonville and the port town of Crescent City.

Directions
From Grants Pass, follow Highway 199 for about 8 miles and look for the Wilderville turnoff on the left. Follow this to the intersection with Fish Hatchery Road next to the store. Follow Fish Hatchery Road to where it crosses the Applegate River. After the bridge, turn left on the first road. This road ends at the entrance to Fish Hatchery County Park. The trailhead is located to the left as you enter the parking area. There is a trail guide for the trail that begins on the trail to the right of the trailhead bulletin board (photo above).

Trail Safety
Poison oak is common in this area but is usually does not grow over the trail. It is recommended that you not touch plants along the trail if you are not familiar with what is around you. The picture shows several vines of poison oak climbing up the trunk of an oak tree. Poison oak can also be found growing as free-standing individuals or thickets along any part of the trail.

Trail Guide
A detailed trail guide for the loop trail provides information on local history, plant ecology and includes a list of common birds seen in this area. Fish Hatchery Loop Trail Guide (pdf 1.9mb)

Trail Notes

Map of Fish Hatchery Nature Loop Trail, Grants Pass, Oregon

The map to the right is from the Fish Hatchery Nature Trail Guide. The orange lines indicate abandoned roads and blue lines indicate waterways.

A) At point A the trail crosses a metal bridge and enters into an open flat area that is crisscrossed with other trails. The trail you want to follow generally goes straight ahead where you should look for the post with the number three on it.

B) The trail turns up hill to follow an abandoned mining road. A short distance up this road the trail takes off to the left but is not marked and appears much more narrow than what you have already been hiking on. The trail going up the road may give you the impression that this is the nature trail because it is better defined and appears well traveled. However, to stay on the Nature Trail, watch for a single track, narrow trail going across the slope to the left.

C) A trail goes straight up through the switchbacks and makes it look like there are several trails in this location.

D) The trail merges with the historic Turnpike and Puncheon Road where you do an almost 180 degree turn to follow the road back in the direction of the parking area.

E) The Nature Trail crosses another road where many hikers have turned to follow the road rather than the trail. If in doubt, continue in the direction of the river.

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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...