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
April 7: Upper Table Rock
TH: Follow Table Rock Road (off Biddle Road in Central Point) for 5.2 miles; turn right on Modoc Road for 1.5 miles to the trailhead parking area; EDT: 45 min. Description: Follow the trail to the top of the mesa, then walk along Meadowlark Lane past the FAA VHF-VOR airways beacon to the Sam’s Valley overlook; return to the frog pond for lunch. View Spring flowers and surroundings. Distance: 7 miles; elevation gain: 800 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles.
April 14: Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area California (Cascade- Siskiyou Monument) Leaving Rite Aid at 8:30 A.M.
TH: From Ashland travel 35 miles south on I5 to exit 789. From the exit ramp turn left and head east through Hornbrook on Copco Road. Continue on Copco road 8.3 miles to the Lakeview road junction. Stay on Copco road for another 4.4 miles to the Horseshoe Ranch Trailhead which is on the left at Scotch Creek. Description: This 9,100 acres Wilderness Area is the only section of the Cascade - Siskiyou Monument in California. We'll do a 6.3 mile out and back along Scotch Creek. We should see wildflowers and maybe some wild horses.
Weather Forecast. RT Mileage: 100 miles.
April 21: Lower Rogue River Trail: Grave Creek to Whiskey Creek RT (100 Hikes, p. 199) Leaving Rite Aid at 8:30 A. M.
TH: Take I-5 north to Exit 61, Merlin. Head west on the Marlin-Galice Road. Cross the Grave Creek Bridge and make a left to descend to the Grave Creek boat launch TH. Description: Follow the north rim of Rogue River past Rainie Falls to Whiskey Creek. Distance: 7 miles; elevation gain: 1,240 ft. Weather forecast RT driving mileage: 140 miles.
April 28: Crater Lake snowshoe (weather permitting) Leaving Rite Aid at 8:30 AM
TH: I-5 north to Exit 30 for Medford. Take Highway 62 towards Crater Lake. Just past Becky's turn right to stay on Highway 62E for another 15.8 miles to the left into the park. (Bring your National Park pass for the drivers, thanks). Then proceed up the road to the rim of Crater Lake Park alongside the Rim Village Café and assemble near the snowbank. EDT: 2 hours. Description: Follow the rim of the lake in a clockwise direction for splendid views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return the same way. Don't forget your sunglasses and sunblock. Safety first: please stay behind the tree line to avoid dropping off a cornice into the caldera. Distance: 4.5 miles RT; elevation gain: 300 feet at an altitude of about 7,100’. We’ll take it easy. If some of us stop short for lunch, it’s all good. Annie Springs SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 190 miles.