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
May 1 - Mill Creek Falls and others (Prospect)
TH: Take Highway 62 east from Medford towards Union Creek. Past Mile Post 42 turn right to visit the Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area near Prospect. EDT: 1:40. Description: At the Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area we will hike to view Mill Creek Falls, Barr Creek Falls, and Pearsony Falls as well as the Avenue of Giant Boulders. About 5 miles and less than 300'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 140 miles.
May 8: Lower Table Rock
TH: I-5 north to exit 33, Central Point. Right onto East Pine Street for 0.4 miles to a left onto Hamrick Road for 0.8 miles which bends right into West Vilas Road for 0.2 miles. Left onto Table Rock Road for 7 miles to a left onto Wheeler Road for 1/2 mile to the TH. EDT: 35 minutes. Description: We will explore the Lower Table Rock trail. View Spring flowers and surroundings. Distance: 5 to 7 miles, elevation gain: 870 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles
May 15: Anderson Ridge Trail (J-A trail) from Greenstone TH
TH: I-5 to the Phoenix Exit 24 and left to Highway 99. Turn right and proceed to Stage Road and go left. Continue on Stage Road to the end and turn left at the T junction on Griffin Lane. Drive past the school and go straight past both Pioneer Road and West Griffin Creek Road, continuing straight for about 2 miles until you see a left marked Griffin Creek Road (confusing but correct). Left onto the paved Griffin Creek Road and it will soon turn into the paved Anderson Butte Road which continues about 5 miles up to 4,500 feet elevation. The pavement ends and there is a sign on the right marked Griffin TH. Continue straight on FS Rd 39-2-8. Do not go left on Anderson Butte Road. In one mile you will come to a big pile of gravel on the right and Greenstone TH markers across the road on the hill. EDT: 45 minutes. Description: The trail ascends through old growth forest to the ridge and along the ridge another 2 miles to the Anderson Ridge TH. Distance 6.4 miles. Approximately 1,000 feet of climb. Weather forecast. RT Mileage 50 miles.
May 22 - Vista Point to Castle Dome (Castle Crags, CA) Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: South on I-5 to Exit 724, Castella. Right on Castle Creek Road to the state park entrance. Entrance fee is $7 per car for seniors. Continue on 2.1 miles to the Vista Point parking TH. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Before heading up the Crags Trail to Castle Dome with views of the Crags and Mt. Shasta check out the short side trail over to Vista Point just off the parking lot. Distance: 6 miles RT; elevation change: 2,200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
May 29 - Layton Mine Ditch Trail, part 3 (Williams, OR) Leave at 9:00 AM
The third section of the Layton Mine Ditch Trail above Williams, OR runs north below the ridge.
TH: From Jacksonville head up Highway 238 towards Williams. After about 20 miles turn left onto Williams Highway then in town turn left onto East Fork Road, continue just past the 4 mile post then left on BLM Road for 1+ miles to TH. Description: From parking head up old road past yellow gate and continue up until you see an LDT sign on your left. Join the LDT trail at the point and head north to turn off for Medicine Mountain. (This is a different approach to MM than the previous LDT hike). Weather forecast. RT Mileage: 100 miles.