Hiking Flat Rock
Trip: Flat Rock, a small forested mountain just outside the Rogue-Umpqua Divide wilderness.
Length: 3.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1400′ (approx.)
Approach: From I-5 exit 129 in Roseburg, follow signs to Diamond Lake blvd, which heads east out of town, and becomes highway 138 (AKA North Umpqua Highway). Follow the highway close to 16 miles, turning right on Little River rd., just before the town of Glide. Take Little River rd for 30.3 miles (partly on paved, partly on gravel), following signs until reaching Hemlock Lake. Drive across the dam and back into the trees to find the parking and picnic areas. The trail begins at a sign near the fork in the road.
Hike: The trail begin in a forest of Douglas and Shasta firs, heading in a southwesterly direction. Very quickly a lovely meadow is reached, and the trail crosses the meadow and stream on a raised platform. The trail heads back into the trees, but passes through several meadows with glimpses of Flat Rock to the right. After one mile a saddle is reached, and the trail forks. Take the Flat Rock summit trail, which is the right hand trail. Follow the well-maintained trail three-quarters of a switchbacking mile up to the rocky ‘summit’ (the true summit is in the trees.) Views stretch from Diamond Peak to Mt. McLoughlin.
Flat Rock
Near the summit
One of several meadows
Big tree growing out of rocks
Looking down at the hiking route
Frozen creek
Old Snag
UmpquaExplorer 