Every year we ride the Evans Creek loop and pass this sign. We always debate whether or not it turns to gravel. We've been searching for a route between the Rogue and Umpqua valleys and wondered if this could be it. So this year we parked at the sign and found out.
The road up to Elderberry Flat is along the west fork of Evans Creek. The creek is very scenic with lots of great places to camp or picnic. After a while we got above the creek and it opened up to an area that was popular with dirt bikes and ATVs. You could see some scarred up trails and roads. There are many gravel roads coming off the main road. After a while we got to the campground.
From here the road kept going up a gentle grade for a few more miles before getting a bit steeper at the top. We weren't quite sure we had gone over the divide until we saw the sign that said "Umpqua National Forest" this was at about 18 miles. From here the road descended pretty fast and we knew we were coming down to Cow Creek.
When we got here it really seemed like we were in the middle of nowhere. Andy even said something about this being the longest dead-end we had ever done. The road continued on but it looked even smaller than before. After a snack we decided to continue "just up around the bend" to see where the road was going. Low and behold when we got there we saw that the road widened and there was now a double yellow line down the middle. We could also see a beautiful pasture off to the left and a big farm. Andy caught sight of a stop sign up ahead so we rode on. Sure enough we had hit a main road. Although there was no sign, except for the road we came in on which was now Snow Creek Road, I knew we had hit Upper Cow Creek road. We rode by the big farm and saw mile marker 13. My guess was we were 13 miles from Azalea where Upper Cow Creek road starts.
Back at Cow Creek I had to check out this old fireplace.
There was no sign of an old house except for some post footings. The fireplace had been in recent use.
The way back up to the divide was a little steeper on this side but not too bad. The ride back down was fast and fun. Here is a picture of Paul and Andy at a wide intersection near the top.
It was Another Great Ride with perfect weather and very little traffic. And now we have a route to the Umpqua Valley.