Seventeen of us enjoyed a morning at Mt. Ashland hiking on the PCT to include the flower bowl at Grouse Gap and the usual pleasures of this journey. We split into two groups: Nine started at the intersection of the PCT and forest road, hiking 4.5 miles RT with an elevation gain under 200’. Eight hikers started at Ski Road MP7 to follow the PCT through the woods and open vistas and across Grouse Gap (7 miles RT and 500’ elevation gain). The longer hikers dove through five flower meadows; those on the shorter version traversed three.
The hikers found the meadows filled with white geraniums, blue lupines, yellow monkey flowers, red paintbrush, and white bog orchid. Kate knew the pink Oregon checkermallow, white cowparsnips and angelica. The corn lilies were the freshest that we have seen this season. We delighted in the orange leopard lilies in every meadow and artist Mabrie pondered where the leopards are yellow or orange. Butterflies included fritillaries, blue coppers, swallowtails and white parnassians.
We met up to enjoy our ‘brunch’ and Kay’s chocolate covered almonds in a shady area along the hillside. The trail still has some muddy spots where drainage continues, keeping the hillsides awash with wildflowers. Pesky little flies seem unphased by bug retardant, but followed us only in the morning.
We saw signs and flags posted in preparation for this weekend’s celebrated Mt. A run, and estimates of the number expected (as many as 400). Imagine the loaded parking lot to be expected. Another event in the area tomorrow, but on private property, is the Siskiyou Crest Coalition fund raiser. It’ll be a busy day at Mt. Ashland.
Hikers returning to MP7 were surprised to see many firemen and five units from the Ashland Fire Department and Jackson County parked around our cars. The firefighters had just rescued an injured hiker on the PCT. Returning to Ashland, we agreed how grateful we are for the emergency responders that serve our community.
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2. PCT - FS road team
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7. corn lilies
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8. corn lily
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9. Richardson geranium
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11. monkshood (toxic)
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12. orange agoseris
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13. cow parsnip
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14 a. leopard lily
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14 b. white bog orchid
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14. Oregon checker-mallow
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15 a
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15. Tysen and thru-hiker photographerr
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18. Ashland firefighters
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19. Group
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