The Day 6 route follows the Rogue River downstream to the end of the BLM road, 12 miles from start. At that point, the only way to experience the river is by raft, jet boat, or on foot along a hiking trail. The 40-mile Rogue River National Recreation Trail is in the heart of the National Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon, and travels downriver from Grave Creek, the location of the first stop of the day. Since you’re not hiking or riding in a boat, the only option is to ride up along Lower Grave Creek to the community of Wolf Creek. Grave Creek is the site of numerous gold mines, as evidenced by claim signs along the road.

The climb to Wolf Creek is moderate-to-easy compared with hills ridden the last few days. It ends at the historic Wolf Creek Inn, the oldest continuously operated hotel in the Pacific Northwest (built in 1883). This structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is a heritage site owned by the Oregon State Parks. The Inn is currently being remodeled and full time innkeepers are needed. Feel free to drop your resume in the mailbox when we pass by.

After a rest stop on the grounds of the Inn, you’ll ride on Interstate 5 for about two and a half miles. This freeway section includes the biggest climb of the day, on unusually wide shoulders over Stage Pass (1,830’). After a short descent on the freeway shoulder, the route exits onto county roads that travel through Azalea, and then a 15-mile ride to Chief Miwaleta Park, for lunch on the banks of Galesville Reservoir. The dam impounding the reservoir was constructed in 1986 and provides electricity and water for irrigation.

The ride from Azalea to lunch is slightly uphill, which results in a descending ride all the way to the finish. For those who want some more miles and additional very gradual climbing, an optional out-and-back loop is available. If you choose to ride the option, you’ll leave lunch and ride 10 miles to a forest service campground. After a stop in the campground, the optional route returns to the lunch site, and then follows the main route back through Azalea to Glendale, for an overnight stay on the grounds of Glendale High School.