Leave from Haggen's's 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/
October 5: Lower Rogue River Trail: Grave Ck. to Whiskey Creek RT (100 Hikes, p. 199) - 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 the boat ramp parking and the TH; EDT: 90 min.
Description: Follow north rim of Rogue River canyon past Rainie Falls to Whiskey Creek; return same way; spectacular scenery, but trail is a little rough in places. Bring plenty of water and a hat.
Distance: 7 miles; elev. gain: 1270 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 140 miles.
October 12: Upper Rogue River Trail: Union Creek to Natural Bridge RT (p. 92 in 100 Hikes) - leave at 8:30
TH: On Hwy 62 just past Union Creek
Description: Follow the river downstream from Union Creek to Natural Bridge and back; hopefully, the vine maples and dogwoods will provide spectacular fall color .
Distance: 8 miles; elev. gain: 100 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 140 miles.
Or, if we have enough people,
Rogue River Trail: Union Ck to Woodruff Bridge (p. 82 in 100 Hikes) - meet 8:30 am
TH: Hwy 62 to Union Creek; leave shuttle car at Woodruff Bridge EDT: 105 min
Description: from the Rogue River Gorge overlook follow the river to Woodruff Bridge. With luck, this will be the right time for spectacular fall color.
Distance: 7.5 mi; elev gain: minimal. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 mi
October 19: Sterling Ditch Tr: Little Applegate TH to Tunnel Ridge TH (100 Hikes, p. 152)
TH: Take Hwy 238 from Jacksonville 8 miles to Ruch; turn left onto Upper Applegate Rd; after 7 miles turn left on Little Applegate Rd and continue 8.5 mi to Little Applegate TH; leave shuttle car at Tunnel Ridge TH on the way. EDT: 75 minutes
Description: Trail starts out uphill and finishes downhill, climbing above the Ditch Trail to go around a private inholding; some nice views over the Siskiyou Mountains.
Distance: 6 miles; elev. gain/loss: 950/1200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles
October 26: Takelma Gorge (Upper Rogue Trail) RT (p.90 in 101 Hikes) - leave at 8:30
TH: Drive Hwy 62 to Woodruff Bridge. EDT: 90 min.
Description: walk along the Rogue River thru Takelma Gorge from Woodruff Bridge to the Rogue Baptist camp; return the same way; trail is rough in places due to lava rocks. A hiking stick is very useful on a very steep short stretch of trail.
Distance: 7.5 miles; elev. gain: 800 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 130 miles.