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
September 4: Blue Lake Basin (p. 112 in 100 Hikes) Leave at 8:00 AM.
TH: Take DIM to its end point at Highway 140; turn right (east); after 3.1 miles go left on FS 3651 8.2 miles; turn left onto FS 3659 1.2 miles to parking area at TH; EDT: 90 minutes.
Description: Hike through Sky Lakes Wilderness Area to Blue Lake; return same way.
Distance: 10.6 miles RT; elevation gain: moderate, since this is a gently undulating trail. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 110 miles.
September 11: Azalea Lake Pass above Azalea Lake (Red Buttes Wilderness - p. 154 in 100 Hikes) Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Go past the Applegate store, cross the bridge and head south on Thompson Creek Road for 11.9 miles to a left on Carberry Creek Road. Go 2.6 miles to a right onto NF 1030. After crossing bridge make an immediate left and go 5.1 miles to a left onto NF 400. After 4.7 miles on NF 400 bear right at the fork and then continue left in 1/2 mile (i.e. do not go up NF 850) to the TH. EDT: 2 hours. Description: We are going to take a look at how this area is recovering from the Fort Complex fires in 2014. Distance 10 miles; elevation gain: 2,000'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles.
September 18:Roxy Ann Peak (Prescott Park, Medford) Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Up I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. Keep right at the fork and merge onto North Phoenix Road. In 3.1 miles make a right on Cherry Lane. In 2.3 miles right on Hillcrest Road for 0.2 miles to a left onto Roxy Ann Road. In 1.4 miles park before the second gate. Walk past the gate for 700' to the TH on the right. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Check out the newly improved loop hike summiting Roxy Ann in Medford with very nice views in all directions. This is a relatively short hike so let's plan to have lunch in a restaurant of the group's choosing after an early hike finish. Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: 1,000'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 40 miles.
September 25: Lake Alta - Sky Lakes Wilderness Leave at 8:00 AM.
TH: Up I-5 to Highway 62 in Medford. Up Highway 62 for 14. 6 miles to the Butte Falls Road. Into Butte Falls and then right on Laurel Avenue for 0.2 miles and then left onto the Butte Falls Fish Lake road for 0.6 miles. Left on the Butte Falls Prospect Road for 8.8 miles and Right on Lodgepole Road 34 for 8.5 miles. Straight on 37 for 0.4 miles and then veer right onto gravel Road 3780 for 4.1 miles to the TH. EDT 1:40. Description: Head up past Frog Lake to Lake Alta and then up to the ridge overlook the Seven Lakes Basin for lunch. Return the same way. Distance: 8 miles; climbing: 2,000'. Weather Forecast. RT mileage 150 miles.