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
October 5: Castle Lake to Castle Arch – Leave at 7:30 AM. This is a new hike and we will join the Siskiyou Wanderers from the Shasta area. Difficult Hike. Take the trail to Heart Lake from the Castle Lake parking lot to the Crags Wilderness Boundary, where we will follow the heavily used informal “Castle View Trail” over the ridge to the PCT to the saddle just to the south. Then following an off trail bushwhacking route along the ridge top and the northeast side of the ridge to the arch. On the way back we will detour to Heart Lake. Distance 7.5 miles. Elevation gain 2,700 feet. The approach to the Arch includes a climb up a steep lightly forested slope. Weather forecast. RT Driving mileage 160 miles.
October 12: Gumboot Saddle to Boulder Peak - Leave at 8:00 AM Hike leader: Francie
TH: Down I-5 to Exit 738, the Central Mount Shasta exit. Right on Hatchery Lane for 0.3 miles to a left on Old Stage Road for 0.3 miles. Straight on West A. Barr / NF 26 for 17 miles to the TH. EDT: 1:45. Description: Head down the PCT to the junction with the Seven Lakes trail. Follow the trail and the old Jeep road up past Helen Lake and then bushwhack across the ridge to Boulder Peak. Lunch on Boulder Peak with views of Shasta, Eddy and Lassen. Return the same way. Distance: 9 miles, Elevation gain: 2,300 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
October 19: Boccard Point
TH: From Highway 66 turn onto Soda Mountain Road just before reaching Greensprings Summit; Proceed some 5 miles to the PCT crossing right after passing under power lines for the second time. EDT: 45 minutes. Description: Incredible views from Mt. Shasta and Pilot Rock to Mt. McLoughlin. Follow the PCT for about 3 miles and turn left to follow a trail towards Boccard Point. We will have lunch at Boccard Point and have the option of finding Little Pilot Peak on the way back to the cars (adds about ½ mile). Distance: about 10 miles, elevation gain: about 1,500 feet. Weather Forecast RT mileage: 40 miles.
October 26: Enchanted Forest Trail (p. 3 Favorite Hikes of the Applegate) Hike leader: Francie
TH: Thru Jacksonville and take Highway 238 towards Applegate for 15 miles. Just before downtown Applegate and the bridge, make a right onto North Applegate Road for 4.5 miles to a right on Kubli Road for 400' and then right on Slagle Creek Road for 1.5 miles to the pavement end at the TH. EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Take the Enchanted Forest trail up to our lunch spot for views of the Applegate Valley and the Red Buttes. Distance: 5 miles. Climbing: 1,800'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.