July 1 : PCT from Cook & Green Pass to Echo Lake and towards Lilly Pad Lake (p. 160 in 100 Hikes) Meet at 8:00 AM
TH: Past Applegate Lake to the T. Left on Elliot Creek Road / NF-1050 for 2.1 miles. Right on NF-1055 for 9.8 miles to the TH at Cook & Green Pass. High clearance vehicles recommended. EDT: 1:45. Description: Hike on the PCT to the ridge above Echo Lake for a nice lunchtime view down to the Lake. Continue past Echo Lake towards Lilly Pad Lake for huge additional views. Turn around before the Lake or continue down to the Lake. Elevation gain about 2,000 feet spread out gradually over the hike. 7.1 miles return to the turnaround or 8.1 miles to Lilly Pad Lake and back. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles

July 8: PCT from Mt Ashland Ski Rd to Grouse Gap RT (100 Hikes, p. 140)
TH: Take Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; turn right onto Mt. Ashland Highway; parking area for PCT is just around the bend after the 7 mile road marker; EDT: 30 min.
Description: Hike south on the PCT to Grouse Gap; turn left and walk about ¼ mile along the road to Grouse Gap shelter for lunch; we should see some early flowers in bloom, especially in the meadow areas. Return the same way.
Distance: 7.6 miles; elevation gain: 870 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 40 miles

July 15: Soda Mountain and Hobart Bluff Leave at 9:30 AM
TH: From Highway 66 turn onto Soda Mountain Road just before reaching Greensprings Summit; Proceed about 5 miles to the PCT crossing right after passing under the power lines for the second time. EDT: 45 minutes. Description: We will head south on the PCT in the Soda Mountain direction for a few miles. We'll either take the trail to the Soda Mountain Lookout (depending on how much dead fall), or continue up to Little Pilot Peak for a view. Then we come down and cross Soda Mountain Road to pick up the PCT on the other side and the short hike up to Hobart Bluff where we'll have lunch. It should be about 6 to 7 miles total for the day's hike. Weather Forecast  RT mileage: 40 miles.

July 22: East Boulder Lake - (p. 232 in 100 Hikes) Leave at 8:00 AM New hike
TH: South on I-5 to Yreka Exit 773 and take Highway 3 for 39 miles through Fort Jones and Etna to Callahan. Right in Callahan (behind the Emporium Saloon) on South Fork Road for 0.7 miles then straight on McKeen Road (40N17) for 2.3 miles to the McKeen Divide. Left (SE) on 39N63 (Boulder) for 2.9 miles, left on 39N10 for 1.2 miles. EDT: 1:45. Leave a shuttle vehicle at the Middle Boulder TH 2.5 miles from the East Boulder Lake TH. Ascend to East Boulder Lake then over the ridge to the PCT and on to switchbacks down to Middle Boulder Lake. Continue to the Middle Boulder Lake TH. Fabulous Views. Distance: 8 miles. Elevation Gain: Minus 700 feet. Climbing: 1800'. Max elevation: 7,235 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 170 miles.

July 29: Boundary Springs in Crater Lake N.P. (p. 59 in 101 Hikes)
TH: Take Highway 62 to the junction with Highway 230. Continue on Highway 230 for 18 miles to the Crater Rim Viewpoint parking area.  EDT: 90 minutes. This round trip hike to the headwaters of the Rogue River at Boundary Springs is an easy, fairly flat, 5 miles. After the hike we will drop by Crater Lake via the North Entrance. Climbing 200'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 210 miles.

 

Originally scheduled July 29 hike postponed due to smoke
July 29. Siskiyou Peak from the PCT / FS-40s15 Road Crossing
TH. Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; Follow Mount Ashland Ski Road towards Grouse Gap. Immediately after the Ashland Ski Area, turn left down the hill on FS-40S15 and continue to the PCT crossing (about a half mile). Ascend the PCT. Before the PCT starts to descend near the summit, turn left through the field and up to the summit. Fabulous views for lunch. Moderate hike. Distance: 9 miles.  Elevation gain: 1,200'. Weather forecast. Return driving mileage 50 miles.