Leave from the Safeway parking lot in Ashland at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear as appropriate. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, Second Edition
October 5: Taylor Creek (lower Rogue River area) (p. 186 in 100 Hikes) TH: Take exit 61 off I-5 (just north of Grants Pass); drive 12.1 miles past Merlin towards Galice; at 1.6 miles past Indian Mary Park turn left on Briggs Valley Road. In 5.1 miles bear right onto Taylor Creek Road for 2.4 miles to the TH. EDT: 75 min. Description: trail climbs through woods to Lone Tree Pass at 2.6 mi; continue along road to the east and then up to the 3162 knob for lunch; return the same way. Distance: about 7 mi; elevation gain 1,500 feet. RT mileage: 135 mi.
October 12: PCT from Siskiyou Gap to Mt Ashland Hwy (p. 134 in 101 Hikes) Hike Leader Margita LaGrotta. TH: leave shuttle car at PCT crossing of Mt Ashland Hwy, just beyond 7 mi marker; continue past the ski area on FS Rd 20 to PCT crossing at Siskiyou Gap; EDT: 75 min
Description: take advantage of the high country before winter sets in; follow PCT 5 mi to Grouse Gap and continue on some 3 mi to Mt Ashland Hwy; good views of Mt Shasta, Mt McLoughlin, Pilot Rock, and mountain ranges to the west.
Distance: 8 mi; elev. gain: 1000 ft; RT mileage: 50 mi
October 19: Wagner Butte (p. 140 in 100 Hikes) Meet at 8:30 AM. Hike Leader Margita LaGrotta. TH: From Talent take Rapp Rd and Wagner Creek Rd 7.6 mi to junction with FS 22; go left 2mi on FS 22 to TH. EDT: 45 min. Description: uphill most of the way, but great flower displays and spectacular panoramic views from the top. Distance: 10.4 miles RT; elev gain: 2200 ft. RT mileage: 36 mi.
October 26: Marble Valley (p. 54 in Best Hikes of the Marble Mountain and Russian Wilderness Areas) New Hike; TH: From Fort Jones take the Scott River Road 14 miles past Jones Beach. One mile beyond turn off to the Indian Scotty campground road and continue approximately 7 miles to the Lover's Camp TH. The road is paved to the TH. Follow the Canyon Creek Trail to Marble Valley. See historic Marble Valley cabin and Marble Mountain. Loop back via Little Marble Valley. Distance 9 miles, elevation gain: 1,600 feet. RT mileage 160 miles.