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
May 3: Castle Crags to Castle Dome (p. 214 in 100 Hikes). 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 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; elevation change: 2,200 feet. Time permitting, we may go to Root Creek Falls on the way back down taking the PCT to the Root Creek Falls trail adding a little bit more distance to the hike. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
May 10: Enchanted Forest/Felton Memorial Trail (p. 3 Favorite Hikes of the Applegate)
TH: 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. Description: Take the Enchanted Forest trail to the side trail to visit the Felton Memorial. Return to the Enchanted Forest trail and take it up to the road for lunch with a spectacular view of the Applegate Valley and the Red Buttes. Distance: 8 miles. Climbing: 1,800'. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.
May 17: Stukel Mountain Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Take Dead Indian Memorial Road for 28 miles, Right on Clover Creek Road for 22 miles, merge onto OR-66 for 13 miles, exit the traffic circle onto OR-140 for 1.3 miles, right onto OR39S for 0.5 miles, left onto Short Road for 1 mile, right onto Reeder Road for 1.6 miles, right onto Hill Road for 1.7 miles, then left onto FAA/USFS road for 50 feet to the TH on the left. EDT: 90 minutes. This is a 7.2-mile out-and-back trail near Klamath Falls, Oregon, climbing 2,582 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 140 miles.
May 24: Grizzly Peak and Lost Creek Falls
TH: Drive Dead Indian Memorial Highway 7 miles; turn left on Shale City Road and follow Grizzly Peak Trail signs: 3 miles on pavement, 2 miles on dirt. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Two hikes for the price of one. We will first do Grizzly Peak and then head over to visit Lost Creek Falls. Spring flowers should be in full bloom; great views over the Rogue Valley. For both hikes: distance: 8 miles; elevation gain: 2,200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles
Directions to Lost Creek Falls TH: From Rite Aid head up DIM for 7 miles to a left onto Shale City Road. Go past the turn to the Grizzly Peak TH on the left at 3 miles from DIM and stay right at 3.6 miles. At 5 miles from DIM you will see the White Cattle Rustling sign on the left. Stay right until a hard left at 6 miles. At 8 miles go left and follow around to the TH on the left at 9 miles from DIM.
May 31: PCT from Greensprings Summit to Hobart Bluff (p. 130 in 101 Hikes)
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.