Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street 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 7: Taylor Creek (p. 186 in 100 Hikes) Leave 8:30 am.
TH: North on I-5 to Merlin Exit 61 just after Grants Pass. Turn left and go 12.2 miles to a left turn for Briggs Valley Road / Taylor Creek Road / NF-25 which is 1/2 mile past milepost 8. Head up NF-25 for about 3 miles and leave a shuttle car at English Flat which is the first trailhead just beyond the gorge overlook. Drive about 9 more miles up NF-25 to Lone Tree Pass Trailhead on the left which is clearly marked at Road 2509 junction. Description: This 7.2 mile hike follows Taylor Creek from south to north as it descends to the Illinois valley. Elevation loss 1,100 feet but ups and downs along the way with some considerable hills to climb. Estimated drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Weather Forecast. RT mileage 140 miles.
February 14: 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: Head up 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 21: 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: 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: 90 miles.
February 28: Buck Prairie I Snowshoe
TH: Take DIM about 18 miles to Buck Prairie I Sno-Park. Sno-Park Permit required; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 30 minutes.
Description: Do a loop via Buck Prairie Road, Bullwinkle's Run, Wayback, and Peabody's cross-country ski trails.
Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: 750 feet. Weather Forecast. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. RT mileage: 40 miles