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
August 5: Hobart Bluff
TH- Drive 17 miles up Highway 66 to a right onto Soda Mountain Road for 3 miles to the TH.
Description- Hike up the PCT to a sharp uphill left to Hobart Bluff. Wildflowers on the trail, and scenic views on top. 5 miles with 300' gain. Weather Forecast. Round trip mileage: 40 Miles.
August 12: Upper Rogue Trail (Beckie's to Natural Bridge and back)
Directions: Up I-5 to Exit 30 on right, then up Highway 62 to 56 milepost and park near Beckie's. Description:. Take the Union Creek Trail heading west to join the Upper Rogue River Trail 3.5 miles down to the Natural Bridge, and return the same way for pie at Beckie's. 7+ miles mostly level trail. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 140 miles.
August 19: Sky Lakes Wilderness Leave at 8:30
Directions: Take DIM to Highway 140, turn right (east) for 3.2 miles to milepost 41 (sign to “Cold Springs Trail Head”). Turn left (north) onto Road 3651 for 10.1 miles on a dusty road to the Cold Springs TH at road end for parking. EDT: 75 minutes.
Description: Hike 0.6 mile to a fork and take a left onto Cold Spring Trail for 1.8 mi to the intersection with South Rock Creek and Deer Lake Trails. Turn right onto South Rock Creek trail for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto the trail to Lakes Natasha, Elizabeth, and Isherwood (0.6 miles). We will have lunch at one of these lakes and then return the same way to the Cold Springs trailhead and cars. Hike distance: 6.6 miles, elevation gain 400 feet. Weather forecast. RT driving distance: 110 miles.
August 26: Layton Mine Ditch Trail, part 4 (Williams, OR) Leave at 8:00 AM
The fourth 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 leave a shuttle vehicle near the yellow gate. The remaining cars will drive down East Fork Road to the TH near the end of the road. Description: Follow the trail up towards and across East Williams Creek, which is the water source for the Layton Ditch Mine.You'll see the path of the 600' siphon up to the ditch, then follow the ditch trail back to the shuttle vehicle. Weather forecast. RT Mileage: 100 miles