October 1:Crater Peak in Crater Lake National Park (p. 74 in 100 Hikes). Meet at 8:00 AM. Bring your Golden Age Passport for Park Admission.
TH: Take the Rim Drive East road from Park Headquarters 2.5 miles to the Vidae Falls Picnic Area. Estimated drive time: 2 hours. Hike description: We haven't done this one since 2002. We had it on the schedule twice in 2012 and were snowed out both times (July and October). We had it on the schedule last year but it was during the government shutdown and the park was closed. So, keep your fingers crossed. Walk through woods and flowers to the summit of Crater Peak; return the same way. Distance: 5.4 miles RT. Elevation gain: 880 feet, mostly in last half mile. Weather forecast. RT mileage 190 miles.

October 8: Grayback Mountain (p. 160 in 100 Hikes) Meet at 8:00 AM. TH: Take Highway 238 from Jacksonville and cross the bridge just beyond the Applegate store.  Left on Thompson Creek Road to just past the end of the pavement (11.7 miles) and make a right on Road 1005.  After 0.2 miles on 1005 stay left to remain on 1005. It is then an additional 3.7 miles on Road 1005 to the TH. NF 1005 is still in rough shape, but passable with high clearance vehicles. EDT: 1:40. Description: Hike up to the Windy Gap trail and then head up the ridge to the summit for panoramic views from the Pacific Ocean near Crescent City, to Mt. Shasta, Mt McLoughlin and Crater Lake rim.  Distance 6+ miles. Elevation gain 2,500 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage 100 miles.

October 15: Blue Lake Basin (p. 112 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take DIM to its end point at Highway 140; turn right (east); after 3.1 miles go left on FS 3651 8.2 miles; turn left onto FS 3659 1.2 miles to parking area at TH; EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Hike through Sky Lakes Wilderness Area to Blue Lake; return same way. Distance: 10.6 miles RT; elevation gain: moderate, since this is a gently undulating trail. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 115 miles.

October 22: Wards Fork Gap to Buckhorn Springs Meet at 8:00 AM, New Hike. TH: Through Jacksonville to a left in Ruch towards Applegate Lake. Just past the now shuttered Country Club cross the bridge and make a left on Beaver Creek Road / NF-20 for 14 miles to Silver Fork Gap. Take the road at 11 o'clock which is NF-2025 for 6.7 miles to NF-48N16 and continue on 1.5 miles to Wards Fork Gap. EDT: 2 hours. Description: Thank Richard for another new hike. Head southwest on the PCT with great views of Scraggy Mountain and Condrey Mountain. Lunch on the ridge above Buckhorn Springs and then return on NF-40S01 (which parallels the trail but with new and different views to the east) to its intersection with the PCT. Distance: 10.5 miles. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 110 miles.

October 29: Black Butte (p. 216 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take the first Mt. Shasta Exit (mile 740). East on Mt. Shasta Blvd. for about 3/4 mile to the first left and then left on Ski Village Drive over to Everitt Memorial Highway. Left on Everitt for 1.6 miles to the Black Butte Trail turn. Go left for 2.6 miles on the gravel road to the 5 way intersection. Left on the best gravel road for 0.6 miles to the parking area. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: switchback your way to the top for spectacular views all the way from the Sacramento Valley to Oregon including Mt. Shasta, Mt. Eddy, Mt. Lassen, Castle Crags, Mt. McLoughlin and the Klamath range. Distance: 5.2 miles RT; 1,925 feet of climbing. Weather Forecast. RT mileage 160 miles.