Alkali Creek Falls Trail

Alkali Creek Meadows was a popular sheepherders' camp at the turn of the century. Many of the herdsmen came from the central Oregon area where alkali lakes and flats were commonly found. While no alkali (or salt content) areas are known in the Rogue drainages, the name could have been chosen to reflect the herdsmen's home territory. The trail is a short climb to the lower end of Alkali Falls. Here, Alkali Creek drops 600 vertical feet in a rocky chute. The falls are most spectacular in the late spring when snowmelt is the greatest in the high meadows. The water flow decreases in late summer, and may be dry in drought years. Note: Due to low volume of use this trail does not get maintained regularly. Expect to encounter logs and brush. Directions from Prospect: Follow Hwy., 62 north to the junction with Hwy. 230. Continue north on Hwy. 230 for 9.2 miles to Forest road #6540. (Note: Road #6540 is a loop road and has two junctions with Hwy. 230. Heading north on Hwy. 230, you will cross road # 6540 1.5 miles before the first #6540 junction.) Turn left onto road #6540 and go approximately • mile to the junction with road #6540-900. Turn right and follow road #900 for 1.2 miles to the junction with road ##6540-950. Turn left onto road #950 and follow to the end. Seasonal Information:Normally Accessible: June through October .