Hanging Rock
Low Point: 2730'
High Point: 3930'
Season: Spring/Summer/Fall
Difficulty: 3/5
Directions
From Powers, drive south of Forest Service Road 33 until reaching Forest Service Road 3348 (approximately 17 miles from Powers). Follow this road for nine miles, then turn left onto Forest Service Road 5520 at Buck Creek Campground. Follow this route for one mile before taking a left onto Forest Service Road 230. The trail starts at the end of this road, one-half mile from the intersection. All roads are gravel, but are in moderately good shape and accessible by cars.Trail Description
The trail starts out at a fairly level grade, but soon starts its constant, but mostly gentle climb to the ridgeline. The scenery along the way is nice with heavy undergrowth in some portions and a more open forest the higher you go. One of the main attractions, if you can time it right, is the blooming of the rhododendron trees. Our hike at the end of May was still a little early for the blooms, but during most years, May and June should be a very good time to see the colorful undergrowth. Once you make it near the crest of the ridge (approx. 1.2 miles), look for a side-trail leading to the left. The fork may be a little difficult to find, so keep your eyes open. Follow this side trail for another .3 miles as it reaches a high point, and then drops down to Hanging Rock and an amazing view of the Rogue River Valley below.
For the hiker looking for more hiking options, the trail along Panther Ridge continues for another 12 miles, eventually ending at Bald Knob.rn
