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
October 2: Porcupine Lake via the PCT Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Take I-5 south to Exit 738, the Central Mount Shasta exit. Right on Hatchery Lane for 0.3 miles to a left on Old Stage Road for 0.3 miles. Straight on West A. Barr / NF 26 for 17 miles to the TH. (Note: there is a signed fork indicating Gumboot Lake in 0.5 miles to the left. Continue to the right, climbing up the cirque that contains Gumboot Lakes. The PCT Gumboot Trailhead and parking are located at the summit.) EDT: 1:45
DESCRIPTION: We will follow the PCT north from Picayune Summit where we will see Picayune Lake to the left and passing below White Ridge to the right. After approximately 4.8 miles we will turn left on the Porcupine Lake trail hiking 0.20 miles where we will have lunch. After lunch we will go back out to the PCT and continue north on the PCT for approximately 0.30 miles and look down at Toad Lake. We will then head back south on the PCT to our cars. The hike has many spectacular views along the way including areas with Darlingtonia Californica plants and Mount Shasta. Distance 10.5-11 miles, elevation gain 1.300'. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
October 9: PCT Above Taylor Lake (Russian Wilderness) (p. 202 in 100 Hikes) Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Take I-5 south to Exit 773 - Fort Jones (1 mile south of Yreka); follow Highway 3 for 27 miles to Etna; make a right from Collier Way onto Main Street / Sawyers Bar Road and continue 9.4 miles to Etna Summit; EDT: 1:30. Description: follow the PCT along a view-packed ridge crest to the Taylor Lake overlook. Return the same way. Distance: 7+ miles RT; elevation gain: 2,500 ft. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 160 miles.
October 16: Nannie Creek Trail to Puck Lakes Leave at 9:00AM
TH: From Rite Aid take DIM to Highway 140 turn right for 5.9 miles. Turn left onto Volcanic Scenic Highway / West Side Road for 12.9 miles. Turn left on NF3484 (may be signed 3584) drive 5.3 miles to the Nannie Creek TH sign. EDT: 1:30. Description: An easier hike along a nicely graded trail to a turn-off to the Puck Lakes. Puck Lake is at 6,450 feet making it one of the highest lakes in the Sky Lakes Wilderness; The trail will continue around to Little Puck Lake where we'll stop for lunch with views of both lakes. Distance: 6.7 miles Elevation gain 500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles.
October 23: Gumboot Saddle to Boulder Peak - Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Down I-5 to Exit 738, the Central Mount Shasta exit. Right on Hatchery Lane for 0.3 miles to a left on Old Stage Road for 0.3 miles. Straight on West A. Barr / NF 26 for 17 miles to the TH. EDT: 1:45. Description: Head down the PCT to the junction with the Seven Lakes trail. Follow the trail and the old Jeep road up past Helen Lake and then bushwhack across the ridge to Boulder Peak. Lunch on Boulder Peak with views of Shasta, Eddy and Lassen. Return the same way. Distance: 9 miles, Elevation gain: 2,300 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
October 30: 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.