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.
January 3: Oredson Todd and the White Rabbit Trails
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. Walk to the Oredson Todd TH. (Parking is also available on Sam Evans Pl.) Hike Description Take Oredson-Todd up to the Upper Trail past the “waterfalls” to the Mike Uhtoff trail. Continue up the Uhtoff trail to 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. Distance around 4 miles, Elevation gain around 600’. Weather forecast.
January 10: The Wonder Trail: Leave from the TH Parking above Lithia Park at 9:00 AM.
TH and Parking: From Ashland Plaza, drive up Windburn Way, then Granite Street which turns into a gravel road. Veer right just above the swimming reservoir. Another 0.1 mile to where Lithia Creek flows under the road. Park. The Wonder TH is across from the parking. Description:We’ll follow the creek down briefly and then climb 10 switchbacks, finding nice views of Grizzly Peak (weather permitting). At about 2.3 miles, we’ll pass a huge granite boulder and many dinosaur egg boulders scattered down the hillside. At the intersection where the Wonder trail intersects with the Fell on Knee trail, we’ll take a spur trail down to the USFS Road 2060 to return to our cars for a 4.6-mile loop hike. Elevation gain about 1,000 feet. Weather forecast.
January 17: Red Queen Trails
TH: Drive to the Red Queen TH at the intersection of Terrace St. with Ashland Loop Road.
Description: Hike up Lower Red Queen and then Red Queen trails to the intersection with the Jabberwocky biking trail. Views of the Ashland Watershed. Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: 750’. Weather forecast.
January 24: Snowshoeing on Mt. Ashland Meet at Rite-Aid parking at 8:50 AM for a 9:00 AM departure
TH: Drive south on I-5, turn off at Exit 6 for Mt. Ashland, drive up a short distance on old Highway 99, and turn right up Mt. Ashland Ski Road. Pass the lodge across the parking lot to reach a dead-end parking area near a closed gate on FS Road 20. A Sno-Park permit is required for each car. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Smooth, packed snow on FS20 ideal for snowshoes or yaktrax, We will go up the road towards Rabbit Ears. Distance: 4 miles; elevation gain: 600’ Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
January 31: Yaktrax and Snowshoeing on Mt. Ashland to Grouse Gap
This snowshoe is canceled due to the weather forecast for snow and strong winds.