Wednesday Hike Schedule for January 2014

Last Revision 1/24/14

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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

January 1: No hike.

Hangover

January 8: PCT North from Castle Craigs (Suggested by Richard & Sabin) New hike. Leaving Safeway at 8:30. TH: Head south on I-5 to the Castle Craigs exit (724). Right on Castle Creek Road for 3.3 miles to the Dog Creek TH on the right at an old mine. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Take the 4W18 spur trail 0.7 mile to its junction with the PCT. Left on the PCT and head north on the shoulder of Castle Craigs above the North Fork of Castle Creek. Great views of the Craigs and the canyon. Distance: 11 miles. Elevation delta: 2,100'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.

January 15: Ostrich Peak Loop
TH: park at gate about 100 yards up Hitt Road, off Strawberry Lane
Description: Full loop going counterclockwise around Ostrich Peak; exact route varies from year to year; snow is possible on higher sections of trail. Distance: 8 miles RT; total elevation gain: 2,250 feet.  Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 3 miles

January 22: Winburn Camp
TH: From Safeway, head up Morton to the Ashland Loop Road and proceed 1+ mile to the White Rabbit TH. EDT: 20 minutes. Description: Take the Caterpillar trail to Lamb Saddle and then drop down into the Ashland Watershed to Reeder Reservoir. Cross the West Fork of Ashland Creek and then follow the old horse trail up to Winburn Camp. This should be an interesting look at current conditions in both the East and West Forks as well as the reservoir level given our recent dry conditions. Distance: 9 miles; 1,500' of climbing, including 500' after lunch. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 5 miles.

January 29: Applegate Lake Loop (p. 147 in 100 Hikes) TH: Take Highway 238 from Jacksonville to Ruch (8 miles); take Upper Applegate Road 15 miles to Applegate Dam; drive left across the dam to the French Gulch TH (1.2 miles); EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Make a loop on the Applegate Lake Trail system in a clockwise direction so that we get the uphill out of the way before enjoying lunch on Hal's Point. Distance: 7.6 miles; elevation gain: about 1,000 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.