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 (occasionally elsewhere depending on driving directions to the TH). 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.
Leaders: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons, 202-870-3404.
December 5: Oredson-Todd to White Rabbit. Meet at Oredson-Todd TH at 8:50 AM. Depart at 9:00 AM.
TH: From Siskiyou Boulevard going south, turn right at Tolman Creek Road. Drive 0.3 miles, turn right onto Greenmeadows Way. Drive 0.5 miles and then turn left onto Lupine Drive. Drive to parking. Parking is also available on Sam Adams Place off Greenmeadows Way. Walk to the Oredson Tood TH. Description: Take Oredson-Todd trail via the Upper Trail past the “waterfalls” to the Mike Uhtoff trail. Continue up the Uhtoff trail to the second bench. Return down White Rabbit trail to Cheshire Cat trail to Uhtoff to Lower Clay Loop and finally to the Lower Trail of Oredson-Todd back to parking. Weather Forecast. Distance around 4 miles, Elevation gain around 600’.
December 12: Sterling Mine Ditch Trail south from Armstrong Gulch. Depart CVS Parking at 8:30 AM. TH: Proceed west from Phoenix to Sterling Creek Road; turn left (south) for 7.3 miles then turn left onto Deming Gulch Road; at the first road junction turn right 1.2 miles to the Armstrong Gulch TH. EDT: 60 min.Description: Follow the Sterling Mine Ditch trail 3 miles, have lunch, then retrace route. Great views if the weather is clear. Distance: 6 miles; elevation gain: 200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles
December 19: Hald-Strawberry Park and Ditch Trail. Leave Safeway parking lot on Siskiyou at Sherman at 9:00 AM. TH: Carpool to Logan Drive by way of Lithia Way just short of its merger with East Main, turning left to cross East Main onto Church. Proceed up Church to Scenic and turn right for a short distance, then left onto Logan to the end. Description: From Logan Drive cul-de-sac, climb up the steps and trail to Hald/Strawberry Park. Circle the park amongst the madrone trees. Head east on the ditch trail to a quasi-end above Lithia Park, climb up to the right a short distance to a spot for snacks. Return back down and return same way on the ditch trail. At the end of the ditch trail, turn around and return back to Logan. Distance about 4 miles; elevation gain about 200’. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.
December 26: NO HIKE