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.
November 7: Red Queen Trails
Start is 9:00 AM from the Lower Red Queen Trailhead on Ashland Loop Road. Hike up the Lower Red Queen trail, continue past Bandersnatch and then up the Red Queen trail. These trails steadily climb up the Ashland Watershed. The Lower Red Queen trail is steep at the beginning, so we will take our time.
Bring lunch, water, and rain gear. Also, hiking poles if you use them. Views of the Ashland Watershed. Return the same way. Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: 800’. Weather forecast.
November 14: Sterling Ditch Trail to Bear Gulch in Applegate. Depart CVS parking at 8:30 am.
TH: Follow Route 238 through Jacksonville to Ruch; turn left onto Upper Applegate Road for 2.9 miles then turn left on Little Applegate Road for 9.7 miles to the Tunnel Ridge TH; EDT: 75 min. Description: Hike up the Tunnel Ridge trail to the Sterling Ditch Tunnel. Turn left and follow the Ditch trail to the Bear Gulch trail. Turn left to descend down to the Bear Gulch TH. Turn left and walk up the road about 0.5 miles to starting point at cars at the TH for Tunnel Ridge. Some hikers might wait at Bear Gulch TH to get picked up by drivers. Distance: 5 miles (or 4.5 miles); elevation gain: 800 ft. (or 700’). Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 mi.
November 21: Jacksonville Woodlands. Meet at CVS parking at 8:15am for departure at 8:30am.
TH: Take 1-5 to the Phoenix exit 24, go left to Highway 99 and turn right onto Hwy. 99, then left on South Stage Road to Jacksonville. Drive through town on East California Street and turn right on North Oregon Street and left into parking lot behind the Library. Description: Walk carefully across West California Street up into the Peter Britt Gardens following the Sarah Zigler Interpretive Trail, on up to then hike along various trails around the old Jacksonville mining project (now a botanical area). We’ll end up above the Britt Festival pavilion and on down to La Fiesta or Bella Union for lunch before returning to parking. About 4 miles and 300’ elevation. EDT: 40 minutes. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles.
November 28: Toothpick with Gyre Loop. Depart CVS parking at 9:00 AM. TH: Turn right onto Ashland Street (Highway 66) and then a left at 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 Toothpick trail to Lamb Saddle. Then take Caterpillar up to the Gyre/Gimble/Lewis Point intersection. Turn left and walk up to a stunning ridge on the Gyre Loop. There are views of Mt. Ashland, Mt. McLoughlin and down to Ashland. Hike will be 5 miles with an elevation gain of 500’. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.