Jacksonville Forest Park 2-13-26

Photos by Kay

Ashland Hiking Home

If you like trail choices and navigating hike signs, then Forest Park near Jacksonville is ideal for you.   We arrived at the P4 parking area to a din of frogs chirping. No quiet solitude for us – the spring peepers were gloriously loud.  Off the 14 of us went up the Cantrail Creek trail through a valley of sword ferns, horsetail, moss and cascading water.  This trail was special after the recent rain with every leaf glistening. Fallen logs were covered with turkey tail fungus. 

We turned southwest on our second trail, Halls of Manzanita, with far views across the hills towards Ashland.  Next, we turned up the Grotto trail trekking through dense stands and tunnels of manzanita. We crossed to the other side of the valley to a shaded, wet draw called the Grotto.  We had a Grotto appreciation moment with a group photo.  Then, we continued onto the fourth trail, Canyon Vista, past the Coyote View bench to the Canyon Vista bench. 

The hikers were ready for lunch at the Dick Ames Shelter on the Neversen Family Trail, but Kay took the lower Neversen Family Trail below the Shelter, so we continued back to the P4 parking lot – where we had lunch with the frogs. 

3.9 miles; 781’ elevation gain.    
Kay