I spent the long weekend exploring the areas around Ashland/Medford and was absolutely blown away by the plant diversity there. It was one of my favorite days botanizing this year. We explored both Upper and Lower Table Rock, each with unique plant communities that reminded me of parts of where I grew up in Central California and the eastern Gorge. It felt nostalgic yet new and exciting!

I was particularly blown away by the whiteleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida), which has now become my favorite species of manzanita, with A. glauca as a close second. These manzanitas grew up to 15 feet tall in places, maybe even taller! Among the manzanitas, the forest was composed of Oregon white oak, Mountain mahogany, Incense cedar, California black oak, and Madrones, interspersed with plenty of poison oak haha. I couldn’t have imagined a cooler forest if I tried! The diversity of wildflowers was incredible as well, with some familiar species and some I had never encountered before. It was great seeing Tolmei’s mariposa lily scattered throughout the forest alongside various Clarkia and Triteleia species.

The geology of Table Rock was equally cool. The area is volcanic, with andesite and sandstone formations. These mesas were composed of sandstone, conglomerate, and other sediments from ancient rivers, part of the Payne Cliffs Formation, which dates back between 48 and 34 million years. These sediments have been protected from erosion by the lava cap of the Rocks, formed 7 million years ago when a shield volcano erupted around 44 miles upstream on the upper Rogue River, near present-day Lost Creek Lake. The Rogue and nearby tributary streams flowed along the edges of the lava flow, carving down into the softer underlying rocks and causing the lava-cliff rocks to tumble downhill as large blocks.

I couldn’t recommend this area more. There’s a ton of interesting history to explore about this place. Once a spiritual and sacred landmark for the Takelma tribe, then an airplane runway, and now a nature conservancy site, this place has seen many changes and continues to evolve. Enjoy these observations and make sure to check it out if you can!

Table Rock, OR - May 2024

Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR - May 2024

Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve - May 2024