Rogue River Ranch POTA

Sam (W7GNM), Zach (K7FC) and I, Kelley ( (W7FCM) did a “PXpedition” (Park Expedition) to the US-10761 Rogue River Ranch BLM historical site. A mere 65 miles from the city of Powers, this entity lies near the confluence of Mule Creek and the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River.

Access is limited to permitted white water rafters floating the Rogue River or by vehicle.

The trip from Powers wound through the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest, through Eden Valley, past Mt. Bolivar (Coos County’s highest point at 4,319 feet) and onto a checkerboard of BLM and private timber lands. Although the road is paved to the intersection with Mule Creek it is in rough shape. Traveling through parts of four counties you turn onto Mule Creek and begin the winding paved then gravel road 15 miles to the ranch.

We chose a very hot day (92 degrees) to activate the entity. Only one other ham had activated it before us.

We did a tour of the ranch house, meeting many folks who walked the roughly 200 yards from the river where they had beached their rafts. After the tour, we set up in the shade of a very large Douglas fir tree. Using a linked dipole on a mast and a Yaesu FT891 we commenced to calling CQ.

After 10 contacts Zach chose the cool creek and fishing but Sam and I continued our activation. Propagation was not great. Although we did get Hawaii, France, Kansas, Canada, Wyoming and Texas, our bread and butter was Washington and California.

After 22 contacts we packed up and began the two hour journey back to Powers.

If your interested in the history of the settlement of the Rogue River canyon you can’t beat “Ilahe” by Kay Atwood. I’ve read it twice and will do so again.