Panther-Emile Loop

Location

Umpqua National Forest , North Umpqua Ranger District

From Roseburg take 138 East 43.5 miles to Forest Road (FR) 4714 (This is 27.5 miles east from the Little River Bridge in Glide). Turn right on 4714 (Panther Creek Road) at Apple Creek CG. There is a restroom at the North Umpqua Trail-Panther Trailhead just across the bridge

Follow the paved FR 4714 road all the way to the top, even though the road number changes to 330 at 6.0 miles. At 9.9 miles, turn right on FR 2703; where the pavement ends (Lookout Mountain Rd). This is the road you take all the way down to Little River Rd. if you don’t want to investigate any of the other side trips. At 1.2 miles on 2703, bear left to remain on 2703 at the 600 spur junction. You are now entering the huge area known as Willow Flats; which has interspersed forest and willow openings and a willow-lined riparian area. Emile Sump (primitive camp) is 0.3 miles from the 600 junction on 2703. Emile Shelter (primitive camp) at 0.9 miles from the 600 junction. The willow infested riparian area along Emile Creek parallels 2703 for about 1.7 miles. The route is mainly on Forest Service land with a little bit of BLM and private forest land. Since these are Forest Service roads that are mainly gravel, it is best to stay on the main roads. The spur roads are poorly maintained but still could be walked or biked. A Forest Service map is a necessity since other maps both paper and electronic are very inaccurate. The Apple Creek campground at one end and the Coolwater campground at the other end are open during the summer. There are several primitive camps along the route which are usually empty except during hunting season.