A new local hike was pieced together from old familiar trails and a new trail that literally, takes your breath away.

The planned trip to Crater Lake had to be pushed back again because of too much snow and ice closing access to the Rim parking lot.

So I had to scramble to come up with a replacement hike for March 31.

A hiking friend had mentioned the Tooth Pick Trail, which we hadn't done for a long time. So on Wednesday, I drove up Tolman Creek Road to the Tooth Pick TH. On the way up Tooth Pick, I noticed the turn-off for the Cat Walk Trail. Cat Walk heads up the hillside with a bike track in the center groove. I wondered if it was just a bike trail or multi-use including hikers.

When I got to Lamb Saddle, I decided to explore the sketchy trail down to Reeder Reservoir to check on the downed trees. There were about 2 dozen over the trail with some new big ones judged too gnarly for a group hike.

But while I was down there I met Tim another local explorer who told me he started hiking from White Rabbit parking off the Ashland Loop Rd. That planted a seed and on Sunday afternoon I started scouting the trails again, this time from the White Rabbit parking lot.

Using the familiar approach to Lewis Loops, up White Rabbit then right onto the Caterpillar Trail, but then staying on the trail to go up and over the hill to Lamb Saddle. This would work for the start of Monday's hike.

When we gathered at the 3,100' TH the 36-degree temperature felt colder because of the wind chill. Our group of 11 started off at a brisk pace to warm up on the trail.

When they reached Lamb Saddle they saw a curious sight. A purple and gray display standing nearly 5' high. Upon closer inspection, we learned it was a manual service station for mountain bikes that ride the local trails. The service stop was put up as an Eagle Scout Project by Colin Havens of Troop 7.

Next, we took a short walk down the Lamb Mine Trail to explore the old barred gold mine. We had our group shot taken there.

From there we came back to the Saddle then a left down Tooth Pick for 0.8 miles and then right up the Cat Walk Trail for a 1.6-mile climb up into the clouds. As we went higher the temperature dropped until we were hiking in falling snow! We came to rest at our lunch spot at 4,300' with a light but steady snow coming down.

We were glad of the chance to rest after the strenuous hike up Cat Walk. After lunch, we decided to take FS2060 (the Ashland Loop Road) down one mile to Lamb Saddle, then the Caterpillar Trail 2 miles back to where the cars were parked.

On the day, we hiked 7 miles and gained 1,200' of elevation.

We felt good for the exertion and the new local hike which we finished at 1:30 pm.

Posthike six of us went to Rogue Valley Coffee Co. for refreshments and conversation.

Happy Trails,
Rich