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
October 2: Upper Union Creek & Union Falls New Hike. Leave at 8:00 AM. Note: The Union Creek Trail has been cleared, so it offers more miles and views of waterfalls.
TH: Up Highway 62 to the Highway 62 / Highway 230 junction just past Becky's. Make a sharp right to stay on Highway 62 towards Crater Lake for 2 miles to a right on FS-600 at the sign for the Union Creek TH. Follow FS-600 for 0.3 miles to the circular parking area at the TH. EDT: 1:30. Description: Take the forest trail for 0.4 miles to Union falls at the junction with the Union Creek Trail #1035. Explore the trail downstream for about 1 1/2 miles. Return to the falls for lunch. 4 miles out and back mostly level. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.
October 9: Fall Colors: Upper Rogue River Trail: Woodruff Bridge to Natural Bridge RT (p. 92 in 100 Hikes) - Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Take Highway 62 towards Crater Lake and make a left onto FS 68 about 7 miles beyond Prospect; continue 2 miles to the TH at Woodruff Bridge. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Follow the river upstream from Woodruff Bridge; go 3.5 miles to Natural Bridge for lunch. Return to TH viewing Fall Colors along the river. Distance: 7 miles; elevation gain: 300 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 140 miles.
October 16: Boundary Springs in Crater Lake N.P. + National Creek Falls (p. 59 in 101 Hikes) Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Take Highway 62 to the junction with Highway 230. Continue on Highway 230 for 18 miles to the Crater Rim Viewpoint parking area. EDT: 90 minutes. This round trip hike to the headwaters of the Rogue River at Boundary Springs is mostly flat with about 200' of gain and 5 miles roundtrip. Bonus! After the hike we will drive back down Highway 230 past MP7 to a left on Road 6530 for about 4 miles to a right turn for National Falls 0.7 miles from the parking area. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 210 mile.
October 23: Enchanted Forest Leaving Rite Aid at 9:00 AM
We will hike in the Enchanted Forest in Fall expecting to see the giant Maple Leafs falling. We'll hike out to the Felton Memorial for lunch about 5 miles RT. A chance of rain so be prepared. We could go to Woolridge Winery next door post-hike.
Directions: 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. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.