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 CVS (previous 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.

January 2: NO HIKE

January 9: Bandersnatch to Red Queen to Snark Trail loop. Meet at the trailhead by 9:00 AM. TH: Drive up Granite Street alongside Lithia Park to the swimming reservoir. Turn left around the swimming reservoir. Take Glenview Drive 0.2 miles to parking area with the Wizend/Bandersnatch sign.Deacription: Hike begins at the Waterline gate next to parking area. Walk along the Waterline for 0.1 miles, past gate and bird sculpture, to the Bandersnatch trailhead on the left. Trail switchbacks up 0.6 miles to a picnic table and vista. Continue down and across a bike trail and then some switchbacks up for about a mile to Red Queen. Turn right and hike to the intersection with Snark. Take the Snark trail down and around to return to the waterline back to parking area.  Distance is around 4 miles. Elevation gain about 600’. Weather forecast.

January 16: Buck Rock Tunnel: Depart CVS Parking Lot at 9:00 AM.
TH: From CVS parking lot, take Highway 66 nine miles to a right on Buckhorn Springs Road then a quick right up Emigrant Creek Road for two miles to the parking area on the left. EDT: 25 minutes. Description: Go around the yellow gate across the road from the parking area and hike up the Buck Rock Trail (Road/muddy in places) for about 2 miles to a left turn to the Buck Rock Tunnel project. The tunnel goes back about 150', with a short trail up to a landing that goes back another 50' to the premature end of the project. Then hike from the tunnel and up a trail to an open spot on top of a hill for views and lunch. Return down the main trail to the parking area. About 4 miles RT with 500' gain. Weather forecast.  RT mileage: 30 miles.
History: The Oregon & California Railroad Company was a speculative startup railroad project that investors supported from August 1883 until February 1884, when the money ran out. Managers tried to continue the tunnel project by asking the Chinese laborers to accept a 50% cut in pay. That proved unacceptable as most of the laborers returned to San Francisco, thereby ending the project.

January 23: Crater Lake Snowshoe
TH: Drivers need a vehicle with all-weather tires and should carry tire chains or 4-wheel drive. Take I-5 north to Exit 30 for Medford. Take Highway 62 toward Crater Lake. Just past Becky's turn right to stay on Highway 62E for another 15.8 miles to a left turn into the park. At the entrance, each car will show the National Park Pass (one’s own or borrowed) or pay $20 entrance fee. Then proceed up the Crater Lake Park to the Rim. EDT: 2 hours.
Description: The snowshoe is planned in the area west of the Rim parking along West Rim Drive (closed for the season). Safety first: Stay behind the tree line while along the rim to avoid dropping off a cornice into the caldera. Distance and elevation gain is hard to predict and will depend on snow and trail conditions.  Estimated snowshoe distance is up to 3 miles with 400’ elevation.  We’ll be at altitude of 7,100’ and have our lunches at the rim.
Be nourished: Have a good breakfast, bring a snack for the drive up, bring lunch in case the café isn’t open. Have more water than usual (recommend 1 liter for trail and 1 liter for road trip), sunblock and sunglasses. Bring snowshoes and hiking poles; also, Yaktrax if you have them.  Bring layers for warmth and to stay dry. Annie Springs SNOTEL.  Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 190 miles.

January 30: Songer Butte Loop Trail.  Meet at CVS parking at 8:45 AM; depart 9:00 AM.
TH: Left from parking lot onto Ashland St. and continue on OR-66 for 6.2 miles to the OLD Green Springs Highway which is a dirt road that jackknifes off to the left side (2.8 miles past Emigrant Lake Main entrance). Drive for ½ mile down to the parking area. The unmarked trailhead is behind the vault restroom. Drive time 20 minutes. Description: This is a loop trail that goes along the hill below Songer Butte.  (We will not climb to the top of Songer Butte.)  Continue towards Songer Wayside.  Turn left onto the trail that goes up to Little Songer Rocks.  Continue on the trail that returns along Emigrant Lake through manzanita tunnels.  We will have a snack or early lunch on the rocks along the edge of the lake.  Continue back on the lake trail past the hill used for paragliding and along a meadow back to the trailhead.  Total distance is 3 miles with a 500’ elevation gain.  Weather forecast.  Driving mileage: 20 miles.  Tell us if you are coming so that we expect you.  Bring water, snack or lunch, hat, and a hiking pole or two can be useful.