Leave from the Haggen's 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
November 4: Snow Lakes in the Sky Lakes Wilderness via the Nannie Creek Trail (page 120 in 100 Hikes) Meet at 8:00
TH: Up DIM to Highway 140. East on 140 for 5.9 miles to a left on West Side Road. Up West Side Road for 12.3 miles to a left on NF-3484. Follow NF-3484 for 5.3 miles to the TH at roads end. EDT: 1:30. Description: We enjoyed this one so much last year we put it back on the schedule, albeit with an earlier start. Follow the Nannie Creek trail past the Puck Lakes to the Snow Lakes Trail for a scenic walk along the ridge above the Snow Lakes Basin to the edge of the 790 Fire. Return the same way. Distance: 12 miles. Elevation gain about 1,500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 130 miles.
November 11: Lost Creek Lake (west shore) (p. 82 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take Highway 62 to Lost Creek Lake and turn left onto Takelma Road at "Fish Hatchery" sign; drive past fish hatchery, power plant and dam to the turn to the boat ramp at 2.2miles from Highway 62. Continue 0.4 miles to the boat ramp parking lot / TH. EDT: 75 minutes. Description: follow Lost Creek Lake trail to our usual lunch bench; return the same way Distance: 9.6 miles; elevation gain: about 1,000 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles.
November 18: Little Grayback Trail to Squaw Peak Leaving Haggen's 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; 2,500 feet of climbing. 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
November 25: Stein Butte (p. 149 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Past Applegate Lake to the T, left on Applegate Road for 0.9 mile and make a left just past the bridge into the parking area for the Seattle Bar TH. EDT 60 minutes. Description: Steady up to a ridge crest for spectacular views of the Siskiyous and then on to the Stein Butte summit, site of an old fire lookout. Distance 9 miles. 2,400' elevation gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage 90 miles.