Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street 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
December 7: Bull Gap Loop - Snowshoe Trip.
TH: Take Highway I-5 South to Exit 6, the Mt. Ashland ski road. Up the ski road to the Bull Gap turn off. Sno-Park permit required; passengers should help pay for it.. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Let's enjoy La Nina's gift of the season with a loop snowshoe - out on the Bull Gap Road, down the PCT and back via an old logging road and the Bull Gap Road. We should be done early, so plan to have lunch at an Ashland restaurant of the group's choice. Distance: 3.5 miles; elevation gain: 650 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 40 miles.
December 14 Summit Snowshoe CANCELED - Too much snow!
December 14: Summit Sno-Park Snowshoe Hike leader: Dan Stubblefield
TH: Take Highway 62 to Highway 140; turn right & follow Highway 140 for 32.5 miles to the Summit Sno-Park. Sno-Park Permit required; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 75 min. Description: Make a loop on the cross country ski trails; Up Lower Canal (J) for 1.3 miles, east on Big Mac (I) for 1.1 miles, right on Petunia for 2.1 miles back to the car. Distance: 4.5 miles; elevation gain: 500 feet. Billie Creek Divide SNOTEL. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 110 miles.
December 21:Applegate Lake Loop (p. 147 in 100 Hikes) Hike leader: John Kerr
TH: Take Highway 238 from Jacksonville to Ruch (8 miles). Left on Upper Applegate Road 15 miles to Applegate Dam; drive left across dam to French Gulch TH (1.2 miles); EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Make a loop on the Applegate Lake Trail system. Enjoy lunch on Hal's Point. Distance: 7.6 miles; elevation gain: about 1,000 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.
December 28: Moon Prairie Snowshoe Trip Hike leader: Gary Swanson
TH: Follow DIM 22 miles to the Deadwood Sno-Park (junction with FS Road 37); Sno-Park Permit required; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 45 minutes;
Description: Cross DIM from the Sno-Park and head south along Moon Prairie Road. Do the loop in a clockwise direction. Distance: 5.4 miles; climbing: 300 feet. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles