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
July 7: Big Red Mountain, Leave from Rite Aid 8:30 AM
TH: From Talent on Highway 99 take a left on Rapp Road and follow Rapp which turns into Wagner Creek Road for 8 miles to a left to remain on Wagner Creek Road which becomes Wagner Gap Road / FS-22. Continue for another 10 miles (18 miles total from the turn off of Highway 99) to the junction with FS-20. Right on FS-20 for 0.8 miles to the Siskiyou Gap TH and parking in the clearing on the right. Description: The PCT winds around Big Red Mountain through cool woods and along some cliffs with a good trail. Lots of views. Near the high point before the trail heads down, turn left on a gentle slope through fields to the top of Big Red Mountain. Lunch on the summit with 360 degree views. Distance 6 miles. Elevation gain 1,200 feet. Weather forecast. Driving Mileage: 40 miles.
July 14: PCT to Grouse Gap Shelter, Leave from Rite Aid 8:30 AM
TH: Take Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; turn right on Mt. Ashland Ski Road. The parking area for PCT is just around the bend from mile marker 7. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Hike south on the PCT to Grouse Gap (one forest road crossing).See wildflowers in bloom, especially in the meadow areas. Lunch at Grouse Gap shelter. Return the same way. Distance 6.8 miles RT; elevation gain of 870 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
July 21: Nannie Creek Trail to Puck Lakes Leave from Rite Aid 8:00 AM
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) go 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; a good swimming lake! The trail will continue around to Little Puck Lake where we will stop for lunch. Afterwards, we will continue around Big Puck Lake on a lesser marked trail and through a dried up bog. Then we will connect back on the Nannie Creek Trail and head back. Distance: 6.7 miles Elevation gain approximately 500 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles.
July 28: Stout Grove via the Mill Creek Trail to Grove of the Titans Leave from Rite Aid 8:00 AM.
TH: Head north on I-5 to Exit 55 in Grants Pass to Highway 199 to Stout Grove TH. 17 W 4th Ave, Crescent City. A 5 mile hike in the Jedediah Smith Forest. From Stout Grove off Highland Hill Road we'll continue on the Mill Creek Trail to the Grove of the Titans. RT: 240 miles. EDT: 2 hours 20 minutes. Weather forecast.