On Monday, 16 AHG hikers gathered 7 miles up the Mt. Ashland Ski Road to hike the PCT out to Grouse Gap. It was a cool, mild day with temperatures to the mid-70s with a nice cooling breeze.
As we headed up from the TH into the forest we started meeting through-hikers on the trail. Six on this hike. In order, they were a middle-aged German hiker from Bavaria, an older, white bearded American, a young German guy, a young woman hiker from the UK, a young, jovial guy from Switzerland, whose trail name was "Side-Trail", and an Asian guy with long hair and shades.
The trail provides 4 different micro-environments for growing a wide variety of wildflowers: shaded forest, partial sun, full sun in the meadows, and rocky, grainy soils for plants adapted to a tougher environment. Many different flower photos are posted.
There was still plenty of water for the flowers in the bowl as we stepped over at least 15 streams pouring down the hillside.
We made good time heading out to the shelter, starting at 9 AM and arriving about 11:15. We had a relaxing lunch with some choosing shaded logs and some at the table in the shelter.
We had our group photo taken outside the shelter, then started back at 11:50 am. We met other day hikers on our way back.
Just two downed trees across the PCT in this popular section. And, there were, at least, 30 people on this stretch of public lands from 9 am to 1:30, when we returned to our cars. The covered 7.3 miles with 800' of gain.
Some of us stopped for refreshments at the Rogue Valley Roasting Co.
Note: on the way up the Ski Rd, my car stopped to take photos of the three-sided monument dedicated to the pioneers who settled in the Colestin Valley.
Happy Trails
Rich
