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
March 6: 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: 1,800. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.
March 13: Crater Lake Snowshoe - Leaving Rite Aid at 8:00 AM
TH: Park Headquarters, Crater Lake NP; EDT: 2 hours. Description: Head up the Raven Trail from the park headquarters parking lot to the rim. The trail is "generally uphill" (700' in 1.5 miles). Return the same way. You will get a nice workout and a wow moment when you crest the rim and see the lake. Don't forget your sunglasses and sun block. Safety first: please stay behind the tree line to avoid dropping off a cornice into the caldera. Distance: 3 miles RT; elevation gain: 700'. Annie Springs SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 190 miles.
March 20: Sterling Mine Ditch Trail: North from Armstrong Gulch (100 Hikes, p. 152)
TH: Up I-5 to Exit 21, Talent. Over I-5 to a right onto Highway 99. In 0.4 miles left onto Colver Road for 2.1 miles to a left onto Pioneer. In 1.9 miles make a right to stay on Pioneer. In 2.2 miles, left to stay on Pioneer. At intersection with Dark Hollow Road, jog to right to stay on Pioneer. At T intersection, left onto Griffin Creek Road for 0.2 miles to a bear right onto West Griffin Creek Road and continue onto Poor Mans Creek Road. At the T, left onto Sterling Creek Road for 7.4 miles to a left onto 39-2-8. Up the hill, bearing right on 32-2-17, for 0.9 miles to the TH. EDT: 45 minutes.
Description: Follow the Sterling Mine Ditch trail 3.5-4 miles till lunch time, then retrace route; great views if the weather is clear.
Distance: 7-8 miles; elevation gain: 200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 65 miles
March 27: Pederson Nordic Trail Snowshoe Hike leader: Dan
TH: Take DIM to the PCT crossing / Pederson Sno-Park just past milepost 27. Sno-Park Permit required; passengers should chip in $1.00 each to help pay for it. EDT: 45 minutes.
Description: Head north on the Pederson Nordic Trail for 2 miles to the Brown Mountain Shelter. After lunch take the Hyatt / Lake of the Woods trail southwest about 1 mile to the Pederson snowmobile trail. Follow the snowmobile trail back to DIM. Distance 5 miles; elev. gain: 500 feet. Fish Lake SNOTEL. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 60 miles.