Our Guidelines and Instructions:
Scheduled for Fridays, year-round, the Moderate Group is one option under the Ashland Hiking Group. It is for those who need or desire a lightly paced, shorter hike than is customary in the other AHG options. These hikes feature an easy pace for 4-6 miles (occasionally 7) and typically under 800’ elevation gain. Winter snowshoeing distances and elevation gains will be less.
We take a leisurely lunch break to socialize and sometimes share a short poem or other form of inspiration (voluntary but welcomed). On the trail, we stay together for safety and enjoyment. If a hiker wants to stop short of the destination, at least one fellow hiker will join. We recommend a hiking pole or two, and sturdy hiking boots. When driving a distance, we may have a voluntary post-hike experience in the area or on our return drive. Bring lunch, plenty of liquids, sunscreen, hat, and basic first aid items. Seasonal items include bug repellent, raincoat, winter attire and snowshoes.
Leave the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street at 8:30 AM (unless informed otherwise for a given hike). Plan a full day, unless the hike location is close to Ashland. Carpooling is by personal choice, arranged at Rite Aid parking. All hikers must sign a liability waiver, provided by the hike leader, before their first hike with an Ashland Hiking Group, which covers liability for any of the AHG hike options.
While the COVID 19 Pandemic is with us, hikers must be fully vaccinated and bring masks for use when close to others or indoors, and while driving together in an enclosed vehicle.
Leaders: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons, 202-870-3404.
January 6: Jacksonville Woodlands
TH: Take 1-5 to the Phoenix exit 24, go left to Highway 99 and turn right onto Hwy. 99, then left on South Stage Road to Jacksonville. Drive through town on East California Street and turn right on North Oregon Street and left into Parking lot behind the Library. Description: Walk carefully across West California Street up into the Peter Britt Gardens following the Sarah Zigler Interpretive Trail, on up to then hike along various trails around the old Jacksonville mining project (now a botanical area). We’ll end up above the Britt Festival pavilion and on down to La Fiesta or Bella Union for lunch before returning to parking. About 4 miles and 300’ elevation. EDT: 40 minutes. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles.
January 13: Hald-Strawberry Park and Ditch Trail
Leave Safeway parking lot on Siskiyou at Sherman at 9:00 AM
TH: Carpool to Logan Drive by way of Lithia Way just short of its merger with East Main, turning left to cross East Main onto Church. Proceed up Church to Scenic and turn right for a short distance, then left onto Logan to the end. Description: From Logan Drive cul-de-sac, climb up the steps and trail to Hald/Strawberry Park. Circle the park amongst the madrone trees. Head east on the ditch trail to a quasi-end above Lithia Park, climb up to the right a short distance to a spot for snacks. Return back down and return same way on the ditch trail. At the end of the ditch trail, turn around and return back to Logan. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.
January 20: No Hike
January 27: Snowshoe: East side of Hyatt Lake Leave Rite Aid at 9:30
TH: Drive up Highway 66 to Greensprings Inn and turn left onto road to Hyatt Lake, traveling 3 miles to the PCT road crossing and the Sno-Park directly ahead. Sno-Park permit required; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 50 minutes. The gate of the access road to Hyatt Lake campgrounds is closed in winter. Description: Snowshoe northward toward Wildcat Campground on this closed road from the park entrance booth (closed) up about 2-2.5 miles and return same way. Undulating trail along snow-covered road with woods on either side; occasional views of the snow-covered lake. There may be tracks off of the road; if we explore one, we stay on groomed or clearly used tracks. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles.