Our scouting crew made up of Jerry, Barry, Jeff and Rich met at Rite Aid (8 am) to seek out an old unnamed trail down to Reeder Reservoir. After some preliminary scouting and research on a few maps we decided the best approach to the mystery trail was up the Toothpick Trail off upper Tolman Creek Road.

The weather was clear, calm and cool as we marched up the aerobic grade for the first 15 minutes to the green open gate. There were nice views of the sunlit valley from the trail. After we caught our breath the rest of the climb up to Lamb's Saddle was relatively gentle.

Jerry's track app showed an old unnamed route heading down to Reeder Reservoir behind the sign boards at the Saddle. But we had no idea of the condition of the old trail (we brought our work gloves). But we were surprised and pleased when Jeff shouted out "Hey it looks like there's a trail down here!" And the trail was in good shape for the 0.8 mile 600' decent down to the reservoir. Although narrow at times with more than a dozen deadfall trees across the path.

The forest was quiet and green and the reservoir was beautiful and pristine.
Suddenly the East Fork of Ashland Creek came roaring into the lake perhaps from an underground spring. We were full of wonder and awe as we took the old service road around a side of the reservoir. At one point we had to walk through about six inches of water from a tributary creek running over the road. Jerry surprised us when he decided to venture up a rough trail off the road that went up 400' to FS2060 which he took three miles back to Lithia Park.

The rest of us headed back on our new found Phantom Creek Trail, stopping for lunch along the way at a shaded spot by the creek. We were surprised again when three cross country runners passed us coming down as we were heading up. They were the only other people we saw on this newly discovered trail.

This new trail is suitable for AHG hikers, but best to keep groups down to six or fewer in this pristine area of natural beauty. And be sure to stay on the trail and out of the water (this is Ashland's source for drinking water). And. of course, pack out what you pack in.

Round trip was 7.5 miles with 1,250' elevation gain.

Happy Trails,
Rich

Oh, BTW, I picked up Jerry in Lithia Park. We went for beer and pizza, and then I drove him back to his car on Tolman Creek Road.

Track downloads: Toothpick to Reeder Reservoir 6-25-20.gpx
Toothpick to Town 6-25-20.gpx