Leave from the Safway / 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
February 3: Buck Prairie II Snowshoe
TH: Take DIM about 21 miles to the Buck Prairie II Sno-Park (about 2.5 miles past the Buck Prairie Sno-Park). Sno-Park Permit Required; EDT: 35 minutes. Description: We are going to check out the trails at Buck Prairie II this year. Distance: 4-5 miles; elevation gain: 500 - 750 feet. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles
February 10:: Crater Lake Snowshoe - Leave Safeway / Haggen's at 8:00 AM
TH: Rim Village Cafe parking lot, Crater Lake NP; EDT: 2 hours. Description: Follow the rim of the lake in a clockwise direction for splendid views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return the same way. Don't forget your sunglasses and sun block. Distance: 5 miles RT; elevation gain: 200-300 feet. Annie Springs SNOTEL. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 190 miles.
Februry 17: Sterling Mine Ditch Trail: Wolf Gap to Deming Gulch (p. 144 in 100 Hikes)
TH:Up 99 to a left on Colver Road for 1.8 miles. Left onto Pioneer and follow it 5.4 miles to Griffin Creek Road. Left on Griffin Creek Road for 1.5 miles Straight onto Griffin Lane for 5.6 miles. Left onto Sterling Creek for 2.4 miles. Left onto BLM 39-2-8 for 1.2 mile (bearing left) to drop shuttle car at Deming Gulch TH. Continue on for 1.9 mile to the Wolf Gap TH. EDT: 45 min. Description: The Wolf Gap trail drops 800' in a mile and a half down to the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail across an open meadow with good views of the Little Applegate valley. Once down to the ditch it is a relatively level walk back to the shuttle car with nice views of the valley. Distance: 9.7 miles; elevation loss: 1,000 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 60 miles.
February 24: Applegate Lake Payette Trail (p. 147 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take Highway 238 from Jacksonville area to Ruch (8 miles); take Upper Applegate Road 15 miles to Applegate Dam; drive left across dam to French Gulch TH (1.2 miles) and leave shuttle car. Return to Upper Applegate Road and continue south to T. Left on Elliot Creek Road for 0.9 miles. Just past the bridge make a left at the Seattle Bar day use area and follow the road around until it ends at the Manzanita Trailhead; EDT: 70 minutes Description: Take the Payette Trail northward as it follows the Applegate Lake shore back to the French Gulch TH. Enjoy the views from Hank's Point and Hal's Point. Distance: 7.5 miles; elevation gain: about 500 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles