A sustained snow drought (so far) changed hike leader Rich’s plan from snowshoeing to a five-mile hike with 1,100’ gain in the Ashland watershed.

Sixteen hikers welcomed spring-like weather and clear views of Mt. McLoughlin and Mt. Ashland from the White Rabbit TH parking up Caterpillar Trail. David joked that the long uphill hike to Lewis Loops, Gyre and Gimble, “made us all pretty loopy.”

Joe, who led the group in Rich’s absence, summed up the route as “a nice walk in the woods with a little bit of work.”

Scenic stops included a short break at the bench and later lunch at the Lewis Lookout with a picnic table John Engelhardt and Eagle scouts hauled to the site in pieces and assembled about nine years ago. John and his wife, Diane, were part of the group.

Michael found a Western gall rust to bring home to top off his growing collection of pinecones. Linda saw Snow Queens blooming on the upper bank and an English Cream golden retriever with white shaggy fur passing by on the trail.

Since it was the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day holiday, adults, kids and dogs were on pedestrian trails while cyclists were blazing down Lizard Trail.