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.
October 6: Grizzly Peak. Depart Rite Aid at 8:30 am. TH: Drive DIM (Dead Indian Memorial Hwy) 7 miles; turn left on Shale City Road and follow Grizzly Peak Trail signs: 3 miles on pavement, 2 miles on dirt. Driving time: 30 minutes. Hike Description: We will do an out and back lollipop loop of 5.5 miles with about 600 feet of elevation change. Hike through the forest with some uphill climbing, beautiful views, and arrive at a cliff overlooking the Ashland valley for lunch. Elevation change: 600 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 30 miles.
October 13: Union Creek and Falls: Depart Rite Aid at 8:30 am. TH: Drive north on I-5, then east on Highway 62 to Beckie’s. Leave some cars near Beckie’s. Take shuttle cars 1.3 miles past Beckie’s and Union Creek, veering right toward Crater Lake for another 2 miles (MP59) to find the sign to Union Creek Trail and turn right. Continue on the gravel Road 600 for 0.2 mile, bearing left onto dirt Road #610 for 0.1 mile to TH at road’s end to park. EDT: 1.5 hr. Hike Description: [Note: Trail reopened after a decade]. Hike 0.3 miles across a flat area, downhill, and through low brush where the trail makes a right turn. We’ll continue downstream for about 4 miles along the Creek enjoying the beauty of the flow, the Douglas firs (some as big as 7’ diameter), flat-needled yews. Trail ends at Union Creek Resort near Beckie’s. Distance: 4.2 miles either way and 330’ elevation gain. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 160 miles RT.
October 20: Fall Colors on Upper Rogue—Union Creek to Natural Bridge and RT Natural Bridge to/from Knob Falls: Leave Rite Aid 8:30. TH: Take Highway 62 north from Medford to Union Creek parking (left off of 62 about 12 miles north of Prospect). EDT: 110 min. Shuttle drivers will take some cars to the Natural Bridge parking lot with one car returning drivers to the Union Creek parking area. Hike Description: From the Union Creek parking lot hike downstream along the Union Creek trail to its confluence with the Rogue River. The next 1½ miles are along the Rogue River with a variety of open, wooded ,and rocky experiences. In fall, the highlight is walking amidst brilliant fall colors and seeing those on the other side reflected in the river. The elevation change is at a nice, gentle pace for viewing ease. At the 1½ mile point, a little bridge crosses the Rogue River and that far side of the river has some awesome rocky overlook areas. From here we continue along the same side of the river we were on, about 1 mile down through the campgrounds and to the Natural Bridge parking lot (with pit toilets). After lunch, hike to Knob Falls. We’ll hike from the parking lot RT to Knob Falls (about 2.5 miles RT). Access Trail #1034 from the paved walk to Natural Bridge before it crosses the built bridge. The route winds along the bank over a rough tread of mossy lava rock which becomes very slippery in wet weather. The trail climbs high above the river where it bends sharply (in about 1.2 miles) where the river rages through the narrow chute of a collapsed lava tube. At an unsigned trail intersection, turn right to the Knob Falls overlook. Total of 6 miles, with elevation gain about 500’ (one-way from Union Creek plus RT to Knob Falls). Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.
October 27: Enchanted Forest: Depart Rite Aid at 8:30 AM. Directions: TH: Drive through downtown Jacksonville and take Highway 238 toward 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. Park on the side of the road. EDT: 60 minutes. Hike Description: Follow the main trail up through the forest to an intersection where we take a right over a bridge out to the Felton Memorial for lunch and return the same way. Distance: 5 miles RT and 500'. Post hike, we can drive to Pennington Farms for pies, jams and other treats or visit Wooldridge Creek Winery. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.