seasonal streams on the Mule Creek Trail in the mile before the headwaters, and a seasonal creek around a mile into the Panther Ridge Trail. There is also water available between the North Mule Creek trailhead and the Panther Ridge trailhead by detouring down the service road for about 15 minutes to Buck Creek.

Description

There are five trailheads, but the best one to use is the one near the Tucker Flat Campground. Start and end from the Mule Creek Trailhead at Tucker Flat Campground. Run the loop counter clockwise to make a more subtle ascent to Panther Ridge. That way you'll know whether or not the wet stream crossings are safe to cross in the first few hours of your day rather than the last few hours of youron the time of year.

Descend less than a mile further and you'll find yourself at the Rogue River. Stop by the Clay Hill Creek just to the right for the best water you have seen since your stream crossings back at the beginning of Mule Creek (Rogue River access is over the bridge and down the trail immediately adjacent the creek, don't let the tool shed from the Lodge make you think it is a private road), or follow the Rogue River National Recreation Trail to the left to continue the loop. There are several campsites along the Rogue River Trail, many with bear lockers and established toilets. Make sure to get your swimming in early though - there is no river access after Paradise Lodge back to