Photos by Leslie
Nine hikers showed up for this, close to home, 2 for 1 hike, including new Rogue Valley resident Chris Peterson. Welcome Chris!
It was blue skies and 55 degrees at the trailhead but felt warm enough to go without the puffy coat I brought. The trail is in great shape, no mud or wash outs. There were a couple logs to step over that I documented and will pass onto Siskiyou Mountain Club. The first part of the trail (the “stick” of the lollipop) was lush and green. Valerian, trillium, Jacobs ladder, rosy plectritis were blooms I recognized. The delphiniums didn’t show any buds yet, but are plentiful and will be spectacular when they bloom. Serviceberry, arrow leaf buckwheat and sedums were blooming in the open dry areas.
We hiked the lollipop counter clockwise, pausing briefly to take in the views. We spent about 45 minutes at the top where some had a snack and others had lunch. There was a curious box mounted in a small oak cluster. We thought it might be a camera set up to monitor for fires. It was facing west - southwest. There was also a cable & lockbox around the base of the oaks. Does anyone know the story behind these?
Only four of the hikers continued on to part 2 of the day’s adventure. I wasn’t confident of my memory of the route to Lost Creek Falls, thankfully Barry had it in his Gia app. Francie had told me Google could give the directions, but of course I forgot to look that up when I had cell service! I think the driving direction to Lost Creek Falls that are on the hike description would be clearer if they gave direction from Grizzly Peak TH instead of Ashland.
Water flow was down at the falls and one of the stream crossing was dry. The jumble of down trees had been cleared and we noticed a (new?) sign posted by the Murphy Timber Co. We spent an hour at the falls, finishing our lunches, listening to birds and talking. Jonathan spotted an American Dipper family flitting about in the pool at the base of the falls. With his binoculars we each had a chance to watch them. I saw a fledgling being fed!
We got back to Ashland at 4:30. What a lovey day!
Leslie
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curious device
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down tree crossing
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early lunch at the top
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fallen snag
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group at Grizzly Peak TH parking lot
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group at Lost Creek Falls
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group
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iris
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looking north
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Lost Creek Falls
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Lots of Duckfoot
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low water volume
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meadow at Lost Creek Falls
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Mt Shasta, Emigrant Lake view
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northwest side of loop
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One of only 3 Calypso orchids seen
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Shasta and Pilot Rock
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sign on trail to Lost Creek Falls
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Snag trees
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There were butterflies at dry creek crossing
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trail
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trillium
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valerian
