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: 541-326-6108
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
July 3: Big Red Mountain 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 10: Castle Lake to Heart Lake (CA) - Leave Rite Aid 8:00 AM
TH: South on I-5 to Exit 738, the central Mount Shasta exit. Right on West Lake Rd, Left on W A Barr Road (10 miles), Left on Castle Lake Road to parking and TH at the road end. EDT: 1:40.
Description: Walk out to Castle Lake, hike trail south up to Heart Lake return to TH, 5 miles RT, 1,000' gain. Can stop at Siskiyou Lake post hike for refreshments. Weather forecast. RT mileage. 170 miles.
7/17: PCT to Grouse Gap Shelter
TH: Take Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; turn right on Mt. Ashland Ski Road. Parking area for PCT is just around the bend from mile marker 7. EDT: 30 minutes.
Description: Hike south on the PCT to Grouse Gap (one forest road crossing). Probably see wildflowers in bloom, especially in the meadow areas. Lunch at Grouse Gap shelter. Return the same way. Distance 6.8 miles RT; elevation gain of 870 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
7/24: Nannie Creek Trail to Puck Lakes Leave Rite Aid 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.
7/31: DeadFall Lakes to Mt Eddy (CA)- Leave Rite Aid at 8:00 AM
TH: Drive south on I-5 and take Stewart Springs Road (exit 751) (about 1.5 miles after rest area at 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: Walk uphill 3 miles along PCT to Middle Deadfall Lake; continue uphill another 1.5 miles to Upper Deadfall Lake, Continue up to the ridge. Distance: 9.1 miles. Weather forecast. RT mileage:150 miles.