We did our last hike about a week ago in anticipation of big winter storms. For once we got the timing right as shortly thereafter mighty snows blanketed our surrounding mountains, with some snow even reaching the valley floor! This weather extravaganza, mixed with the usual holiday diversions, kept us limited to snowy walks around the neighborhood.
So we had a very comfy, at home, non-traveling Christmas. 😁 Sofie (our cat) and the tree coexisted, with no damage to either. The traditional dinner was deliciously excessive (for us at least). We’re facing caloric offsets in the form of rice cakes in the week ahead. 😒 But we had a White Christmas, for the first time in 33 years! So, done and done! But no, wait, it’s still snowing and snowing and seemingly will be doing so for the next few days. Looks like we ordered the deluxe White Christmas package by mistake! And it’s too late to return it! 😲
Despite this exuberance of frozen magic sky water, we needed to get outside for some exercise. Burn-off a few Christmas dinner calories and thus skip having to eat a rice cake (or two or three…). The roads around here aren’t in great shape but we figured we could get as far as the Rogue River and the Ken Denman Wildlife Area without too much automotive drama. And so it was. True, we were passed by a few folks who seemed a little, ah, optimistic about their ability to actually stop a heavy, speeding truck on an ice-covered road. Expect some crash video on TikTok! 🤔 But, being old and slow, we managed an intact arrival at the TouVelle State Recreation Site’s back parking lot.
Once safely parked, we followed established and use trails along the Rogue to TouVelle Road, then did an out-and-back on the old road toward Camp White’s abandoned ammo bunkers, before returning past the Agate Desert on the Denman Trail.
About 0.25 miles (0.4 km) from the parking lot, the recreation site’s interpretive trail veers south (right) and loops back to the parking lot. We went straight ahead on a use trail within the wildlife area that arrives at TouVelle Road in another 0.25 miles (0.4 km). We went east a little ways to the old dirt road that goes northeast toward historic Camp White’s long abandoned ammo bunkers.
We went about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) up this road before doubling back to the Denman Trail at Military Slough. Last time we were here, the lower pond in the slough was a mud flat; today it was full to overflowing.
We spent about two hours going two miles (3.2 km). It snowed and snowed and snowed and we walked and walked and were home in time for a warm lunch of leftovers. Not much of a hike, but it was real nice getting outside to enjoy the snow. And, as far as those rice cakes are concerned, tomorrow is another day. 😉
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BOOTS on the TRAIL 
I got The LovedOne to pose (reluctantly) for that puddle shot. Watching someone standing thigh-deep in cold water during a snow storm brought to life the rumors I’d heard about fishing being something of an obsession. Catch frozen fish sticks? Why frozen french fries (chips) – like worms but less squirmy. 😉 And then, voila, fish & chips! 😏
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That was some impressive fisherman/future popsicle. What kind of bait do you use to catch frozen fish sticks?
Love that puddle on the trail reflection shot.
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The snow is extra fun since we no longer have to commute in it! 😁 Sofie’s interest in the tree was limited to just sitting under it for a short while. Now she’s gone back to her principal enjoyment – watching the birds that come to our feeders. 🐥 Happy New Year to all of you too!
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So fun to get snow for Christmas in the Rogue Valley! And your photos are beautiful. Sofie is obviously much better behaved than Magnolia. 😼 Happy New Year to you three!
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Thanks! Here, we get just enough snow to make it fun but not so much that it’s a burden. 🙂 But we do need to get enough to fill our reservoirs come Spring. 🙄 Happy holidays to you too!
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Your pictures look magical with all that snow!! Enjoy the rest of the holidays!
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