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
Hike Leader: Rich Stickle: 541-891-4067
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
July 4: Big Red Mountain (OR) Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: From Talent on Highway 99 take a left on Rapp Road and follow Rapp which turns into Wagner Creek Road for 8 miles to a left to remain on Wagner Creek Road which becomes Wagner Gap Road / FS-22. Continue on another 10 miles (18 miles total from the turn off of Highway 99) to the junction with FS-20. Right on FS-20 for 0.8 miles to the Siskiyou Gap TH and parking in the clearing on the right. Description: The PCT winds around Big Red Mountain through cool woods and along some cliffs with a good trail. Lots of views. Near the high point before the trail heads down, turn left on a gentle slope through fields to the top of Big Red Mountain. Lunch on rocks with 360 degree view after touring the summit. Distance 6 miles. Elevation gain 1,200 feet. Weather forecast. Driving Mileage: 40 miles.
July 11: Kangaroo Lake to Bull Lake-PCT (CA) Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Head South on I-5 to exit 766 (Gazelle). Turn left (south) on Highway 99 for 7 miles to Gazelle. Turn Right in Gazelle onto the Gazelle Callahan Highway. Drive 18 miles to left turn for Kangaroo Lake (clearly marked) on Rail Creek Road. The TH parking for Fen Trail is on the left in 6.8 miles, just before the main Kangaroo Lake Parking. The TH is just across the Road. EDT: 1:35. Description: Climb to the saddle above Kangaroo Lake and down a short distance to the PCT. Turn left on the PCT and follow it all the way to Bull Lake. Overlooks include entire Marble Mountains, Trinity Alps and Siskiyou mountains as well as Kangaroo Lake, Robber Meadows, Bull Lake, Shasta and Mount Eddy. Destination Elevation: 7,080 feet. Distance: 8 miles; Elevation Gain :1,200 feet. Total Ascent: 1,500 feet. Optional descent to Bull Lake adds 1 mile and roughly 300 feet of ascent. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.
July 18: Nannie Creek Trail to Puck Lakes (P. 128 in 100 hikes in Southern Oregon) Leave at 8:00 AM
Directions- From Rite Aid take DIM to Highway 140 turn right for 5.9 miles. Turn left onto Volcanic Scenic Highway / West Side Road for 12.9 miles. Turn left on NF3484 (may be signed 3584) go 5.3 miles to the Nannie Creek TH sign. EDT: 1:30. Description: An easier hike along a nicely graded trail to a turn off to the Puck Lakes. Puck lake is at 6,450 feet making it one of the highest lakes in the Sky Lakes Wilderness; a good swimming lake! The trail will continue around to Little Puck Lake where we will stop for lunch. Afterwards, we will continue around Big Puck Lake on a lesser marked trail and through a dried up bog. Then we will connect back on the Nannie Creek Trail and head back. Distance: 6.7 miles Elevation gain approximately 500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles.
July 25: Parks Creek TH to Cement Bluff . Leave at 8:00 AM.
TH: Drive south on I-5 and take Exit 751- Stewart Springs Road exit (about 1.5 miles after rest area across from Weed airport); turn right at stop sign, then left onto Stewart Springs Road; after 4 miles turn right onto Road 17 for 9.3 miles to the PCT crossing.
Description: Cross the road from the parking area and continue on the PCT for about 5 miles around a deep valley to a cliff overlooking Bluff Lake. Distance 10 miles. Mostly Level. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.