Sixteen avid hikers joined for this all-time favorite early summer hike. It was a perfect day with cool, dry conditions.

Taking it easy on the initial elevation gain was enabled by the stops to delight in the wildflowers, with many varieties identified throughout the wooded areas of this hike. Kay relished the chance to show our group the expansive hillside covered with Trillium and the field of Klamath Fawn Lillies early on the loop. In a stretch, we marveled upon the emerging field of fresh Corn Lily plants. A highlight was the Dwarf Hesperochiron in moist areas.

Throughout our hike in this time and place, we found Stream Violets, Larkspur, Checker Lilly, Calipso Orchid (thanks to Ann’s eagle eye), Miners’ Lettuce, Larkspur, Fiddleneck, Oregon Grape in bloom, Paintbrush, Woodland Star, among others. A feature delight on this journey was witnessing the oohs and awes of our two newest AHG hikers experiencing Grizzly Peak and it’s nearly 360-degree vistas enjoyed when doing the ‘lolly-pop.’

We had lunch at the usual spot on the rocks overlooking Mt. Shasta, Mt. Ashland, and our City of Ashland. Almost 50 Ashland Hiking Group hikers have trekked on Grizzly Peak this week with the Monday, Wednesday and Friday groups all going up the trail. We covered 5.4 miles with an 1,100’ elevation gain.