February 7: Jacksonville Woodlands Trail RT (100 Hikes, p. 150)
TH: City parking lot in Jacksonville behind post office; EDT: 30 min.
Description: Close-to-home leg stretcher on the Jacksonville trail system; lunch in a local restaurant after the hike or in Ashland.
Distance: 5.3 miles; elev. gain/loss: 1115 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 35 miles.

February 14: Sterling Mine Ditch Trail: south from Armstrong Gulch (100 Hikes, p. 152)
TH: Proceed west from Phoenix to Sterling Creek Rd; turn left (south) for 7.3 miles then turn left onto Deming Gulch Rd; at the first road junction turn right 1.2 miles to the Armstrong Gulch TH.  EDT: 60 min
Description: Follow the Sterling Mine Ditch trail 3.5 miles till lunch time, then retrace route; great views if the weather is clear. 
Distance: 7.5 miles; elevation gain: 200 feet.  RT mileage: 65 miles

February 21, 2014:Snowshoe trip: Mt Ashland Ski Area to Grouse Gap RT
TH: Closed gate on FS Rd 20, just beyond Mt Ashland Ski Area parking; Sno Pass required for drivers (day pass ($3) or season pass ($20) available at DMV and Bimart; slightly higher prices at sporting goods stores).  EDT: 30 min.
Description: follow road (FS 20) to Grouse Gap; turn left 1/4 mi to shelter for lunch; return same way. Cross country detour uphill (an additional 400 ft. elev. gain) to Rabbit Ears and back down ½ mile on the Mt. Ashland summit road is an option for those wishing more exercise
Distance: 5 mi.; elev. gain: around 500 ft. Big Red SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 35 mi.

February 28: Lost Creek Lake (North Shore) (100 Hikes, p.88) TH: Drive 35.5 mi on Hwy 62; turn left on Lewis Rd 1 mi to TH; EDT: 60 min
Description: “generally level”, pretty trail through the woods along the north shore of Lost Creek Lake; a short detour to see the Blue Grotto is an option for those who haven’t been there; return the same way
Distance: 7 mi RT; elev. gain: about 500 ft. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 100 mi