Leave from Safeway parking lot in Ashland at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, Second Edition.

July 6: PCT South from DIM to Howard Prairie - New Hike - TH Take DIM to the Lilyglen horse campground.  Right on the paved Keno Access Road (which is just past the Wilderness Trails Youth Camp sign) for 5.2 miles to the PCT crossing.  Leave shuttle car.  Back to DIM and continue on for 8.5 miles to the PCT crossing TH just past Burton Flat Road.  EDT 60 minutes. Description:  Follow the PCT south and west around Old Baldy (extra credit for a summit attempt of about 100'), through Griffin Pass and over to the south end of Howard Prairie Lake.  Distance: 9 miles; climbing 1,000'.  RT mileage: 80 miles.

July 13: Upper Rogue Canyon- Highway 230 to Road 6530 New Hike (p. 100 in 100 Hikes) Meet 8:30 AM Reputed to be the most scenic section of the Rogue River. TH: Take Highway 62 past Union Creek to Highway 230. At Hamaker Campground just past mile 12 turn right on gravel road 6530 for 0.5 mile then left at fork to stay on Road 6530 for another 0.2 mile and leave shuttle car at Upper Rogue River Trail sign on left. Then back to Highway 230 and go north for 6.4 miles to the Crater Rim Viewpoint parking lot for the upper TH. EDT 1 hour 40 minutes. Description: Follow the river along a 200 foot deep canyon back to the shuttle car. Distance 8.6 miles. Downhill 1,200'. RT mileage 170 miles

July 20-21: Overnight to the Oregon Caves (p. 164 in 100 Hikes) Meet at 8:00 AM.  New Hike.  TH: I-5 to Grants Pass, down 199 to Cave Junction and then take the Caves Highway up to the caves.  EDT 2 hours. Both hikers and non-hiking companions are welcome on this overnight.  The non-hikers will drop off the hikers on the way at the Cave Creek campground for their hike up the Cave Creek Trail to the Chateau (about 2 miles and 1,350' of climbing). Lunch at the Oregon Caves Chateau. Tour the Caves in the afternoon and then dinner and overnight at the Chateau.  The non-hikers are planning winery visits, bridge and Scrabble. 

Breakfast will be at the Chateau on Thursday morning.  The hikers will do the Big Tree (13' diameter Douglas Fir) trail, summit Mt. Elijah for lunch (the Chateau kitchen will make sack lunches) and then loop back via Bigelow Lakes to the Chateau to meet the non-hikers for the return trip to Ashland.  The hike is about 8.5 miles with 2,800' of climbing.  RT mileage: 140 miles.

If you decide to go and you are not already on the reservation list please let Dan know and he will see if there is room availability at the Chateau.  

July 27.  Upper Rogue Kayak Trip from Shady Cove to Tou Vell.  New Kayak Trip We are going to explore a new section of the Rogue this year.  A 14 mile self guided float trip in inflatable kayaks with some Class II rapids.  We will put in at the Shady Cove ramp and take out at Tou Vell park.  Coolers and ice are available (free) from the rafting company for your lunch and drink.  Kayak rental will be about $33 per person. You will get wet on this trip so plan on wearing a bathing suit, hat and a top on the river.  Bring dry clothes to change into after the water adventure. Don't forget the sunscreen.  RT mileage: 65 miles