Leave from the Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear as appropriate. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, Second Edition. Hike leader:Francie Skinner, 541-840-4042
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
April 2: Roxy Ann Peak Medford
TH: North on I-5 to Exit 24. Right on North Phoenix Road, Right on Cherry Lane, Right on Hillcrest, Left on Roxy Ann Road to up to the gate. EDT: 30 minutes. Follow the road up and around clockwise then up to the summit for amazing views. Continue down and around back to the cars. Weather forecast. Mileage: 30 miles RT.
April 9: Faery Falls and Ney Springs with a possibility of Hedge Creek Falls: Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Head south on I-5 for 73.2 miles to exit 738. Take a right on West Lake Street and continue left onto Hatchery Lane then turn right on South Old Stage Road then go right on West A Barr Road for 2.4 miles. Parking at the dam. After crossing the dam, we cross to Ney Springs Road and head down to the picnic area on the shores of the Sacramento River in the Cantara & Ney Springs Wildlife Area. We then will go back up the access road to the Wildlife area a bit and take the first old forest road back towards Ney Springs Creek and then on up to Ney Springs. From there, we will continue up to Farey Falls. When we head back, we will take the forest service road to the left near Ney Springs and back to the dam. Distance 6.75 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain. If time permits, we will get in our cars and drive south on I-5 for 6 miles and stop at the trail to Hedge Creek Falls which is right off the freeway. We will also go to an overlook of the Sacramento River. The mileage is .62 with a descent and then ascent of 140 feet. Weather report. RT mileage: 180 miles.
April 16: Crater Lake snowshoe 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 near the lodge and assemble near the snowbank. EDT: 2 hours. Description: Follow the rim of the lake in a clockwise direction towards Discovery Point 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- 4.5 miles RT; elevation gain: 300 feet at an altitude of about 7,100’. Annie Springs SNOTEL. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 190 miles.
April 23: Lost Creek Lake (west shore) (p. 82 in 100 Hikes)
TH: Take Highway 62 to Lost Creek Lake and turn left onto Takelma Road at "Fish Hatchery" sign; drive past fish hatchery, power plant and dam to the turn to the boat ramp at 2.2 miles from Highway 62. Continue 0.4 miles to the boat ramp parking lot / TH. EDT: 75 minutes. Description: follow Lost Creek Lake trail to our usual lunch bench; return the same way Distance: 9.6 miles; elevation gain: about 1,000 feet.Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles.
April 30: Castle Crags to Castle Dome (p. 214 in 100 Hikes). Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: South on I-5 to Exit 724, Castella. Right on Castle Creek Road to the state park entrance. Entrance fee is $7 per car for seniors. Continue on 2.1 miles to the Vista Point TH. EDT: 90 minutes. Description: Before heading up the Crags Trail to Castle Dome with views of the Crags and Mt. Shasta check out the short side trail over to Vista Point just off the parking lot. Distance: 6 miles; elevation change: 2,200 feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.