Our Guidelines and Instructions:
Scheduled for Fridays, year-round, the Moderate Group is one option under the Ashland Hiking Group. It is for those who need or desire a lightly paced, shorter hike than is customary in the other AHG options. These hikes feature an easy pace for 4-6 miles (occasionally 7) and typically under 800’ elevation gain. Winter snowshoeing distances and elevation gains will be less.
We take a leisurely lunch break to socialize and sometimes share a short poem or other form of inspiration (voluntary but welcomed). On the trail, we stay together for safety and enjoyment. If a hiker wants to stop short of the destination, at least one fellow hiker will join. We recommend a hiking pole or two, and sturdy hiking boots. When driving a distance, we may have a voluntary post-hike experience in the area or on our return drive. Bring lunch, plenty of liquids, sunscreen, hat, and basic first aid items. Seasonal items include bug repellent, raincoat, winter attire and snowshoes.
Leave the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street at 8:30 AM (unless informed otherwise for a given hike). Plan a full day, unless the hike location is close to Ashland. Carpooling is by personal choice, arranged at Rite Aid parking. All hikers must sign a liability waiver, provided by the hike leader, before their first hike with an Ashland Hiking Group, which covers liability for any of the AHG hike options.
While the Covid 19 Pandemic is with us, hikers must be fully vaccinated and bring masks for use when close to others or indoors, and while driving together in an enclosed vehicle.
Leaders: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons, 202-870-3404.
September 6: Upper Rogue River from Woodruff Bridge to Natural Bridge RT:
Hike Canceled: High tempertures and AQI
TH: Take Highway 62 out of Medford 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 to a spur trail to the left that takes us down to beautiful Knob Falls where the river bends sharply and falls steeply over the rocks. Return up the spur to the main trail, turn left and continue to Natural Bridge for lunch. Return the same way, bypassing the spur trail. Distance: 7 miles RT; elevation gain: 350 ft. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 140 miles.
September 13: Little Hyatt Lake: Depart Ashland Rite Aid Parking Lot at 8:00 AM
TH: Take Highway 66 east to the Green Springs Inn between mile posts 17 and 18. Turn left toward Hyatt Lake for 2.9 miles to a road junction where the PCT crosses the road; park. Follow the PCT to the left to the Little Hyatt Reservoir, enjoying old-growth trees. Gather in the woods on the Lake shore for lunch. The hike is 3 miles RT. If we want more, explore the PCT on the other side of the road for a 2-mile RT hike, resulting in 5 miles for the day. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 40 miles.
September 20: Toothpick Trail to Gimble Loop: Depart Ashland Rite Aid Parking Lot at 8:30 AM Led by Richard Shwery and Kate Cleland-Sipfle
TH: Turn right out of Rite Aid parking lot onto Ashland Street (Highway 66) and then left at the 1st stoplight onto Tolman Creek Road. Drive up Tolman Creek Rodd almost 4 miles to the Toothpick trailhead on the right. EDT: 20 minutes. Description: Hike the heavily forested Toothpick trail to Lamb Saddle for a brief break. Then take Caterpillar up to the Gyre/Gimble/Lewis Point intersection (close to the bike-only Lizard trail head). Proceed on the Gyre loop to the right to follow almost half of the loop on the lower elevation portion to reach another sign pointing to the right to enter the path down to the Gimble loop. At the intersection of the loop, take the right half to a short trail to Lewis Point for lunch at or around a picnic table. After lunch, return to the Gimble Loop and take the other side of the loop (on your right) back up to the Gyre trail intersection. On this hike, weather permitting, you should see Grizzly Peak and Mt. McLoughlin while on the Toothpick and Mt. Ashland at the Lewis Point lunch spot. Distance of about 5 miles with an elevation gain of about 500’. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.
Swptember 27: Brown Mountain shelter from DIM on PCT/Pederson Trail Depart Ashland Rite Aid Parking Lot at 8:30 AM
TH: Drive up DIM past intersection with Road 37 for a short distance to a turn out on the right where the Pederson Section of the PCT crosses DIM. Park there and cross the road to locate TH. Description: Hike the Pederson Trail for about 2 miles to an intersection with a clear sign to turn left for another 0.3 miles to the Shelter. Enjoy lunch in and around the Shelter, built in 1993 by the Oregon Army National Guard for summer hikers and winter snowshoers. Return the same way for a 4.5-mile journey and about 400’ elevation gain. Weather Forecast. RT driving mileage: 60 miles.