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, Second Edition
February 5: PCT from Old 99 to Pilot Rock.
TH: Take I-5 to the Mt. Ashland exit. Proceed under I-5 to the PCT crossing. EDT: 30 min. Description: follow the PCT towards Pilot Rock and return the same way. Climbing Pilot Rock is optional and weather dependent. Most likely we will circle around to the south side of Pilot Rock for lunch rather than attempting a summit. But, who knows? Distance 9 miles; climbing 1,500 feet (add 500 feet for a successful Pilot Rock summit). Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles
February 12: Collings Mountain - Applegate Lake (p.146 in 100 Hikes).
TH: Proceed through Jacksonville on Highway 238 to Ruch. Left on Upper Applegate Road for 16 miles to the Hart-Tish TH where we drop the shuttle car; park on the west side of the road by the guardrail. Continue south along the lake for another 2.5 miles to the Watkins TH. EDT: 75 minutes.
Description: woodsy trail with excellent views.
Distance: 7 miles; climbing: 2,500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 90 miles.
February 19: Kerby Peak New Hike - Leaving Safeway at 8:00 AM
TH:
Up to Grants Pass and then west on Highway 199 to Selma. In Selma left on Deer Creek Road for 9 miles, right on White Creek Road for 0.5 miles and then left at the Kerby Peak Trail sign on East White Creek Road for 3 miles to the TH. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Beautiful but steep climb through an old growth forest up to the ridge and then a fairly gentle walk along the ridge up to Kerby Peak. Distance 7 miles; Elevation delta: 2,600 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.
February 26: Little Grayback Trail to Squaw Peak Leaving Safeway at 8:00 AM
TH: From Ruch travel south on Upper Applegate Road to Applegate Dam; follow the road across the dam for 1.5 miles; turn left for 2 miles to the French Gulch divide TH; EDT: 60 min. Description: steady climb across the southern slopes of Little Grayback to Squaw Peak; return the same way; watch out for graybacks (ticks) Distance: 11 miles; Elevation change 1,800 feet. If you don't want to go all the way to Squaw Peak there is an option to stop on the ridge at a nice viewpoint for an 8 mile / 1,300' hike. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 90 miles