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
February 1: Hyatt Lake Snowshoe - New Snowshoe.
TH: Take DIM to Hyatt Prairie Road. Head south towards Hyatt and drop shuttle car at Keeley's lake house. Continue on to the TH at the Hyatt Lake Road intersection. EDT: 45 minutes. Description: We have had this one on the schedule for the past three years but the Snow Fairy never cooperated, so we are going to try again. Head north along the east side of Hyatt Lake. Undulating trail along snow-covered road with woods on either side; occasional views of the snow-covered lake. Enjoy a hot chocolate after the snowshoe at Keeley's lake house. Distance: 4.5 miles; elevation gain: 350 feet. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles.
February 8: Collings Mountain - Applegate Lake (p.146 in 100 Hikes).
TH: Proceed through Jacksonville on Highway 238 to Ruch. Left on Upper Applegate Road for 16 miles to the Hart-Tish TH where we drop the shuttle car; park on the west side of the road by the guardrail. Continue south along the lake for another 2.5 miles to the Watkins TH. EDT: 75 minutes.
Description: woodsy trail with excellent views.
Distance: 7 miles; climbing: 2,500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 90 miles.
February 15: Lewis Loop - Ashland Watershed
TH: From Rite Aid head west on Ashland Street, bear right on Siskiyou Boulevard, at the light just past Triangle park turn left on Morton, then a quick right on Iowa up to the top, left on Terrace up to the reservoir on Waterline. EDT: 10 minutes. Description: Check out the new Red Queen, Lizard and Lewis Loop trails up to the summit of Lamb Butte in the Ashland Watershed. Nice views of Grizzly, McLoughlin, Wagner, Mt. Ashland, and McDonald Peak. Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain: 1,500. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.
February 22: Summit Sno-Park Snowshoe
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: We tried to do this last week but were snowed out. So, we are going to give it another go. 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.