Trail, Oregon
Trail is a small town with big natural scenery, including Lost Creek Lake, the Lost Creek Dam complex, the Spirit of the Rogue Nature Center, and the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery.

Lost Creek Lake

Native Americans en route to Klamath Lake from the north followed a trail over the Umpqua Divide, stopping at the site of the present-day Trail and giving the town its name. The earliest recorded postmaster here served from 1893.

Trail's population is between 1,500 to 1,800. This is, seemingly, misleading due to the vast area it encompasses from Crowfoot Road to the Douglas County Line on Hwy 227, and all of the Lost Creek Lake area. The region, 10 miles north of Shady Cove, is becoming increasingly attractive for its history, and as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Trail is the home of the Upper Rogue Historical Society's Trail Creek Museum, devoted to the pioneer history of the Upper Rogue. The former barroom features artifacts, pictures, and stories depicing life as it was on the Upper Rogue in the beginning and very early years of settlement.

The Cole M Rivers Fish Hatchery, the largest hatchery in Oregon, annually rears 3.7 million spring Chinook, coho, steelhead and rainbow trout, and plants them in the Rogue River. The Hatchery is open to the public, though you'll have to leave your fishing rod in the car.  The Spirit of the Rogue Nature Center, located in McGregor Park, features a Welcome Center and is a good place to learn about Lost Creek Lake. A beautiful park setting, with a playground, picnic and barbecue area conveniently adjacent to the Rogue River with wheelchair access for fishing the River. Quiet walking paths along the creek with birds and whispering leaves.

The Center conducts tours of the William L. Jess Dam Power House, daily at 1 p.m.(open from Memorial Day to Labor Day).

Takelma Park on the west side of Lost Creek Lake is a great location for hiking or mountain biking the perimeter of the lake. In addition Takelma Park has a boat landing for convenience in docking adjacent to the boat launching area. Picnic area and restroom facilities available. Maps are available. Lost Creek Lake, once known as the community of Laurelhurst, visitors can still find remnants of Stewart Weeks' once thriving pear orchard, and the sprawling strawberry fields of Frank Ditsworth,and the now overgrown catfish pond of zella Tullis. The community of Laurelhurst goes back to the 1860s. At that time Indians were still present and land was beginning to open up to settlers. Pioneers were crossing the Plains in teams of covered wagons lured by an unknown land and driven by a spirit of adventure. The excitement of journeying to the West had taken hold, but there were other reasons for the California-Oregon migration. The CivilWar was taking place and the California-Oregon territory seemed the perfect place to avoid the draft. However, the most significant reason for the popular migration to the Far West was the enactment of the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862, providing settlers with approximately 160 acres of land in return for a nominal fee of $1.25 an acre). In 1977, Lost Creek Dam was completed, flooding several of the original homesteads. Although much of the Laurelhurst area is under water, memories of its unique beauty remain. Conservation measures - replacing topsoil, plating trees and grass, maintaining wildlife habitat and submerging excavation and disposal sites - preserve the ecological balance and retain the natural beauty of the terrain.  Lost Creek Lake protects against potentially disastrous flooding and provides good quality water during the dry summer months.It supplies power and provides water for irrigation and domestic and municipal needs.

LOST CREEK LAKE

Today, the Lost Creek Lake area is noted for its bass and troutfishing and includes waterskiing, wind-surfing, scuba diving, kayaking wildflower viewing, hiking, biking, picnicing and swimming. Rental boats, including pontoon party boats, are available at the Lost Creek Marina. The upper reaches of the lake are preserved as a natural area, accessible only by boat.

Several major public access areas, park sites, boat ramps and a trail system along 30 miles of shoreline offer leisure-time pleasures for the area's increasing number of residents and visitors. Adjacent to Lost Creek Lake is the Joseph H.Stewart State Recreation Area. Campground is open March thru October and provides 50 tent campsites and 151 electrical sites with picnic tables, fire rings and water. Hot showers are available at the utility buildings. Individual camping is on a first-come first-served basis, for group camping reservations call the State Parks at 503-378-6305

While lodging in this region is limited, the Lost Creek Marina has vacation rentals. The Prospect Historical Hotel-Motel is nine miles north and the region's lodging base in Shady Cove is nine miles south. Several cottages are on the River for rent including the Osprey House, Our Place, and a cabin at the Rogue River Lodge.

Information courtesy of the Upper Rogue Regional Tourism Alliance