Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear as appropriate. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, Second Edition. Hike leader:Francie Skinner, 541-840-4042
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
December 6 UPPER TABLEROCK NEW TRAIL
TH: Take I-5 north to Exit 33 (Central Point); turn right onto East Pine for a mile to intersection with Table Rock Road; drive on Table Rock Road for 5.2 miles; turn right on Modoc Road for 1.5 miles to trailhead parking area. EDT: 45 min. Description: Follow the trail to the top of the mesa. Elevation gain: 750-800 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles
December 13: Sterling Mine Ditch Trail: Wolf Gap to Deming Gulch (p. 144 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Up I-5 to Exit 21, Talent. Left into Talent to a right on OR-99 for 0.4 miles to a left onto Colver Road for 2.1 miles to a left onto Pioneer Road. In 2.2 miles turn right to stay on Pioneer and in another 1.3 miles turn left to stay on Pioneer. At the T, turn left on Griffin Creek Road for 0.2 miles to a right on West Griffin Creek Road. In 2.9 miles continue straight onto Poormans Creek Road for 1.1 Miles to the T and go left onto Sterling Creek Road for 2.7 miles to a left onto BLM 39-2-8 (at the small brown sign by the fence corner on the right) for 1.2 miles (bearing left) to drop shuttle car at Deming Gulch TH. Continue on 1.9 miles to the Wolf Gap TH. EDT: 1 hour. Description: The Wolf Gap trail drops 800' in a mile and a half down to the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail across an open meadow with good views of the Little Applegate valley. Once down to the ditch it is a relatively level walk back to the shuttle car with nice views of the valley. Distance: 9.7 miles; elevation loss: 1,000 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 60 miles.
December 20: Hobart Bluff
TH: Drive Highway 66 14.5 miles to PCT crossing at Greensprings Summit. EDT: 45 minutes. Description: Follow the PCT for 3.3 miles through the woods and along the crest to the "Hobart Bluff Viewpoint" sign; turn right 0.3 miles to top of bluff; enjoy 360 degree views and lunch before returning the same way. Distance: 7+ miles; elevation gain: 2,000 feet of climbing; Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 40 miles.
December 27: Roxy Ann Peak Medford
TH: North on I-5 to Exit 24. Right on North Phoenix Road, Right on Cherry Lane, Right on Hillcrest, Left on Roxy Ann Road to up to the gate. EDT: 30 minutes. Follow the road up and around counter-clockwise then up to the summit for amazing views. Continue down and around back to the cars. Weather forecast. Mileage: 30 miles RT.