Leave from the Safeway parking lot in Ashland at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear as appropriate. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway.100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, 3rd edition.
Co-leaders: Alex Maksymowicz: 541-482-1964; Lynn Clegg: 541-552-9045
Website: http://ashlandhiking.org/
August 3: PCT from Soda Mt Rd to Greensprings Summit via Hobart Bluff (p. 136 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Drive Hwy 66 14.5 miles to Greensprings Summit and leave shuttle car; turn right on Soda Mt Rd and continue some 5 mi to PCT crossing. EDT: 45 min
Description: trail is in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument; go north on PCT to “Hobart Bluff Viewpoint” sign; turn right 0.3 mi to top of bluff; enjoy 360 deg views; then return to PCT and continue north to Greensprings Summit.
Weather forecast.
Distance: 7 mi; elev gain: 1200 ft; RT mileage: 45 mi
August 10: Big Red Mountain (PCT) RT
TH: From Talent take Wagner Creek Rd (FS #22) up to its intersection with FS #20 (continuation of Mt Ashland Hwy) on the Siskiyou Crest. Turn right 1 mile to PCT crossing at Siskiyou Gap. EDT: 60 min
Description: From Siskiyou Gap follow PCT around Big Red Mt thru cool woods and over serpentine barrens to Wrangle Gap. For a shorter hike, stop at high point on trail (5.5 mi RT, elev. gain 1000 ft).
Weather forecast.
Distance: 7.8 miles RT; elev gain: 1300 ft. RT mileage: 60 mi
August 17: Grouse Gap to Siskiyou Peak (PCT) RT
TH: Leave I-5 at exit 6 and take Mt Ashland Hwy to ski area, then drive another 2 mi on FS 20 to PCT at Grouse Gap.
Description: follow PCT 2.7 mi to Siskiyou Peak for lunch; return the same way.
Weather forecast.
Distance: 5.4 mi; elevation gain: 1050 ft. RT mileage: 45 mi
August 24: PCT: Brown Mountain Lava Flow (100 Hikes, p. 130)
TH: Take DIM 22 miles to Forest Service Road 37; go left 8 miles on FS 37 to Hwy 140; turn right (east) onto Hwy 140; after 4.2 miles turn left into the Summit parking area; toilets available; no pass needed. EDT: 60 min
Description: hike well-built trail thru forest and over basalt rock deposited by Brown Mt lava flow to high point of trail; return same way
Weather forecast.
Distance: 5.8 miles RT; elevation gain: 550 ft
August 31: PCT north from DIM to Brown Mt trail and back TH: Follow DIM 32 miles to PCT TH. EDT: 60 min Description: Level trail through woods; possibility of huckleberries near the junction with Brown Mt trail; there is a nice lunch spot on the PCT at a stream crossing some 100 yards beyond this junction. Distance: 7.8 mi; elev gain: minimal. RT mileage: 60 mi Weather Forecast.
Note that for this hike we'll be leaving at 9 am instead of 8 am, so be prepared for the possibility of an extra hour of sleep.