Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street promptly at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sun-screen and rain gear. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; RT = round trip mileage; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes is 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, 3rd edition
Coordinator: John Kerr: 541-630-0026.
Website: AshlandHiking.org
January 7: Viewpoint Mike (near Lost Creek Lake) (100 Hikes, p. 241)
TH: From Medford drive Highway 62 past the turn off for the Lost Creek Lake fish hatchery and take next right a few hundred yards later onto a paved road. The parking area is soon after on the right and for the trailhead, cross the road at the back left of the parking and you will find a sign marked Viewpoint Mike. EDT: 60 min. Description: very nicely laid out trail parallels Highway 62 as it climbs through varied terrain to a large rock outcrop with a stone wall looking down on Lost Creek Lake. Distance: 6 miles RT; elevation gain: 1200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles
January 14: Snowshoe trip: Mt Ashland Ski Area to Grouse Gap
TH: Closed gate on FS Road 20, just beyond the Mt Ashland Ski Area parking lot; Sno-Park permit required for drivers; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: From the ski area back parking lot take FS 20 for 2.3 miles to the turn for the Grouse Gap shelter. Head south for 0.3 miles to the shelter for lunch. Return the same way. Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: around 400 feet. Big Red SNOTEL. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 45 miles.
January 21: East Applegate Ridge
TH: Head up I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. Left into Phoenix and then right on OR-99. Turn left onto Stage Road then for left on Griffin Lane. In about a mile turn right onto West Griffin Creek Road for 2.9 miles which becomes Poormans Creek Road for another 1.1 miles to a T junction and left onto Sterling Creek Road. Go 4 miles to the 4 mile marker and the trail is well marked 100 feet past the sign. The Trail is 5.5 miles long and can be a return trip or a turnaround earlier. 2100 total ascent for return trip. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 65 miles
January 28: 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: We are going to do a loop; 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: 30 miles.