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. Hike leader: Keeley Kirkendal, 541-646-8797.
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
November 2: 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.
November 9: Donomore Meadows to Dutchman Peak - Leave at 8:00 AM.
TH: Turn at Ruch and head south for 9.3 miles. Just past the closed Country Club cross the bridge and take the second left onto Beaver Creek Road / FS 20. Up FS 20 for 14 miles to Silver Fork Gap. Cross the intersection and take the road at 11 o'clock which is FS 2025. Continue on FS 2025 for 4 miles to Donomore Gap and park on the right. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Nice views on this walk along the PCT and great views from the Dutchman Peak lookout. Distance: 10 miles; elevation gain about 2,000 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles.
November 16: High Lakes Trail (p. 122 in Hiking Southern Oregon)
TH: From Rite Aid take DIM to Highway 140. Left on 140 for 0.9 miles to a left onto NF-3601 at the Brown Mountain Trails sign. Follow signs 0.6 miles to the Brown Mountain Trails TH and leave a shuttle car. Return to 140 and turn left (west) for 6.4 miles to Highway 37. Left on 37 for 0.5 miles to the North Fork Campground TH parking area on the left. EDT: 1 hour. Description: Follow the trail along Little Butte Creek (part of the Medford Irrigation District) up to the dam and turn left onto the High Lakes Trail. Follow the High Lakes trail past Fish Lake and across the Brown Mountain Lava flow back to the shuttle car. Distance: 9.3 miles; elevation gain 900'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles.
November 23: Fourmile Lake to Long Lake (p.116 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take DIM to Highway 140. Turn left towards Medford. Between Mileposts 36 and 35 turn right on FS 3661 for 5.7 miles to the Fourmile Lake Campground. Park at the official trailhead turnaround point. EDT 60 minutes. Description: Enjoy a spring walk along the lakes in the Sky Lakes Wilderness to a lunch spot on Long Lake. Good views of the lakes and Mt. McLoughlin. Distance 8 miles; climbing 700'. Weather forecast. RT mileage 100 miles.
November 30: Pilot Rock Road to Porcupine Mountain
TH: Take Mt Ashland exit 6 off I-5; follow old Highway 99 under the freeway for just a little over 2 miles; go left onto Pilot Rock Road and drive one mile to first crossing of PCT at the power line; EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Hike east on the PCT past Pilot Rock to the top of Porcupine Mountain; return via the trail and road. Distance: about 7.5 miles; elevation gain: about 2,000 ft. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.