Our Guidelines and Instructions:
Covid19 precautions: Fully vaccinated hikers; Masks handy for proximity to others; Carpooling by personal choice (share gas $); post-hike Refreshments outside.
Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street promptly at 8:30 AM unless otherwise indicated in a specific hike description. Plan for a full day, unless remaining close to town. Hikes will be easy/light moderate (6-7 miles when at lower elevations and limited climbing; otherwise, closer to 5 miles). Easy pace. Stay together for shared safety and enjoyment. Bring lunch, lots of liquids, sunscreen, bug repellent, hat). A pole or two, recommended. Feel free to bring a short poem or other form of inspiration to share at lunch, if you like.
Our Friday Hikes have 3 features (expectations): Moderate pace, Mutual support (by staying together), and Peaceful trail conversation focused on observations and information about our surroundings.
TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; RT = round trip mileage; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. Coordinators: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons , 202-870-3404.
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org/
May 14: East Applegate Ridge Trail
TH: North on I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. Left into Phoenix and then right on OR-99. Turn left onto S. Stage Road, go 3.4 miles and then left on Griffin Creek Rd. In about a mile turn right onto West Griffin Creek Road, going 2.9 miles, which then becomes Poorman’s Creek Road for another 1.1 miles to a T junction. At the T, turn left onto Sterling Creek Road. Just beyond the 4-mile marker, find the sign on the right directing you to East Applegate Ridge (ART) (BLM road 38-2-10.1). Take this dirt road 0.6 miles up the hill and arrive at the TH parking area.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: We’ll hike out and back, up to 5.5 miles along the trail through the forest canopy and open ridge with great views of the valley and mountains to the West. Hike length can be shorter by stopping earlier for lunch, as desired. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles.
May 28: Upper Rogue Trail ‘Double-Header’: Natural Bridge to “Bridge to Nowhere” (RT) and Natural Bridge to Knob Falls
TH: North on I-5 to the second Medford exit (30). Follow signs towards OR-62 and Crater Lake. Follow Highway 62 for about 51 miles to a left into the Natural Bridge recreation area and go about 0.7 mile to the parking area at the end of the road.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: We’ll hike upriver from Natural Bridge to ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ (term coined by AHG), about 1.5 miles. River views, dogwood, wildflowers abundant. We can return same way or, if we’re up to it, we may instead do a loop crossing the bridge and climbing up over a hillside and down with the River below on our left, arriving at Natural Bridge to view its drama and geology, and have lunch. Then we’ll hike down river to Knob Falls (about 1 mile) and back to Natural Bridge parking. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 140 miles.