Ashland Hiking Home
Warrior Plumes, previously called Indian Warriors, cover the Cathedral Hills trails near Grants Pass now, especially the Skycrest Loop Trail. So,14 of us went hiking there. We parked at the upper Skycrest Trailhead. Then we started down the Timber Riders trail (right of the information sign), turned right up the Madrone loop that has Deltoid Balsamroots at the top and many Shooting Stars. We looped back down onto the Timber Riders trail and then hiked about a mile to the top of the ridge. At the trail intersection we turned back, left, onto the Ouback Trail. Finally, we took the Skycrest Trail onto Skycrest Loop Trail through dense stands of Warrior Plumes where we enjoyed lunch.
Sitting down brought even better looks at tiny wildflower buds – so enjoyable to share with hiking friends. After completing the loop trail, we turned right up the Skycrest Trail back to the parking lot. Distance: 4.5 miles, elevation gain: 450’
Some of the most unusual wildflowers at Cathedral Hills are parasites. The California groundclones look like pinecones. They are parasites that use small roots to tap nutrients from madrone and manzanita. Another unusual parasite that we saw were pinedrops. These are wildflower parasites that rely on fungi found around conifers.
Wildflower identification leaflets are available at the trail head to help identify the many wildflowers. These excellent photo leaflets were compiled by the Siskiyou Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. BLM manages the Cathedral Hills trail system.
Some of us returned through the Applegate Valley taking the opportunity to enjoy fruit and savory baked goods at Pennington Farms.
Report and photos by Kay
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1
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3. Frosted Paintbrush
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5
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6. Henderson's Shooting Stars
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7.Yellowleaf Iris
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8. California Groundcone
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9. Hooker's Catchfly
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14. Whiteleaf Manzanita
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18. Warrior's Plume or Indian Warrior
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20. All Trails
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Group
