December 5: Lost Creek Lake (North Shore) (p.82 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Drive across the high bridge on the north side of Lost Creek Lake and make an immediate left on Lewis Road and continue for 1 mile to the TH; EDT: 60 minutes. Description: "generally level", pretty trail through the woods along the north shore of Lost Creek Lake past the spur to the Blue Grotto and on to our usual lunch spot at the bench below a rock outcrop overlooking the lake; return the same way. Distance: about 10 miles RT; 900 feet of up. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles

December 12: Castle Crags to Castle Dome (p. 214 in 100 Hikes). Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: South on I-5 to Exit 724, Castella. Right on Castle Creek Road to the state park entrance. Entrance fee is $7 per car for seniors. Continue on 2.1 miles to the Vista Point TH. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Before heading up the Crags Trail to Castle Dome with views of the Crags and Mt. Shasta check out the short side trail over to Vista Point just off the parking lot. Distance: 6 miles; elevation change: 2,200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.

December 19: Applegate Lake Loop (p. 147 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take Highway 238 from Jacksonville to Ruch (8 miles); take Upper Applegate Road 15 miles to Applegate Dam; drive left across the dam to the French Gulch TH (1.2 miles); EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Make a loop on the Applegate Lake Trail system in a clockwise direction so that we get the uphill out of the way before enjoying lunch on Hal's Point. Distance: 7.6 miles; elevation gain: about 1,000 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.

December 26: No hike