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
MAY 5: Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area + (bonus) down Union Creek
TH: Take Highway 62 east from Medford towards Union Creek. Past Mile Post 42 turn right and drive down to the Stop sign then left up to TH parking on the right. to visit the Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area near Prospect. Description: At parking the trail starts off to the right and goes down into the woods to view the Mill Creek Falls and then the Barr Creek Falls. Come back up and then right down to the Avenue of the Giant Boulders in the Rogue River. Come back to parking, and turn right across the bridge to the next lot for the trail out to Pearsony Falls. If we have time we can park on the west side of Beckie's and hike down and back on Union Creek to add about 2 miles. About 5-7 miles and 300' gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 140 miles.
May 12: East Applegate Ridge Trail (EART)
TH: Head up I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. Left into Phoenix and then right on OR-99. Turn left onto Stage Road then left on Griffin Lane. In about a mile turn right onto West Griffin Creek Road for 2.9 miles which becomes Poormans Creek Road for another 1.1 miles to a T junction and left onto Sterling Creek Road. Go 4 miles to the 4 mile marker and the trail is well marked 100 feet past the sign. 5.5 miles total with lunch on top then back to parking. About 1,100' gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles
May 19: Hedge Creek Falls (Bonus) and Castle Crags Leave Rite Aid at 8:00 AM
The bonus falls is a quick turnoff I-5 just before the Castle Crags turnoff. Just .62 miles down to the walk behind falls.Then onto the spectacular Castle Crags and up to Castle Dome. (6 miles RT)
2200' elevation gain, with views of Shasta and surrounding peaks. The entrance fee is $7 per car for seniors. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
May 26: Fairy Falls on Ney Creek and then a walk around Lake Siskiyou with views of Shasta and Eddy Leave Rite Aid at 8:00 AM
Bring your rain jacket for the spray off Fairy Falls! Then back up the river to the dam for a 7 mile walk around Lake Siskiyou. Weather forecast. Driving distance 150 miles RT.