Leave from Safeway parking lot in Ashland promptly at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sun-screen and rain gear. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; RT = round trip; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes is 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, 3rd edition
Leader: Alex Maksymowicz: 541-482-1964.
Website: http://ashlandhiking.org/
May 2: Lower Rogue River Trail: Graves Creek to Whiskey Creek Cabin RT (p. 199 in 100 Hikes)—leave at 8:30
TH: Take I-5 north to Merlin (Exit 60); drive thru Merlin and follow Galice Rd 19 miles to far side of Grave Creek bridge; turn left downhill to boat ramp and TH; EDT: 90 min
Description: Follow north rim of Rogue River canyon past Rainie Falls to Whiskey Creek; take short spur trail to Whiskey Creek cabin for lunch; return same way; spectacular scenery, but trail is a little rough in places.
Distance: 7.6 miles; elevation gain: 1270 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 140 mi
May 9: Lower Table Rock—the standard route (p.86 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Exit I-5 at Hwy 62 and go north on Biddle Rd past the airport to Table Rock Road; turn right on Table Rock Rd 10 miles, then left on Wheeler Rd 0.8 miles to Lower Table Rock parking area; EDT: 45 min.
Description: Climb 1.6 miles through woods to plateau; turn left onto a side trail, then meander through flower-filled meadows along the rim of the mesa to the end of the old airstrip some 1.5 miles; take the trail on the other side of the airstrip to our usual lunch spot overlooking the Rogue Valley; return along the old airstrip
Distance: 6 miles RT; elevation gain: 750 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles
May 16: Collings Mountain RT (above Applegate Reservoir) (p.156 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Drive south from Ruch about 20 miles to TH at Watkins Campground; EDT: 75 min
Description: woodsy trail with lots of uphill but excellent views. We will climb to the high point for lunch, then retrace our steps to the TH
Distance: 5.5 miles; total elevation gain: 1500 ft. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 85 miles
May 23: Greensprings Summit to Hobart Bluff RT on PCT
TH: Drive Hwy. 66 to PCT crossing at Greensprings Summit EDT: 45 min. Description: Trail is mostly in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument; go south on PCT to “Hobart Bluff Viewpoint” sign; turn right 0.3 mile to top of bluff; enjoy lunch and 360 degree views, then return the same way Distance: 7.2; elev. gain: 1000 feet. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 40 miles.
May 30: Union Creek Trail (p.94 in 100 Hikes)—leave at 8:30 am
TH: Take Hwy 62 east from Medford to Union Creek; EDT: 105 min
Description: This is a scenic, “generally level”, four-mile trail along a lovely brook.
Distance: 8.2 miles; elevation gain: 500 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles