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 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, 2026: 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: Snowshoe at Buck Prarie: Meet at CVS at 9:00am, depart at 9:15am.
TH: Take DIM about 18 miles to Buck Prairie #I Sno-Park. Sno-Park Permit required; passengers should help pay for it. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Snowshoe up to the intersection with 3 trails (and an outhouse). The distance and route from there will depend on snow conditions and if we have a track from prior snowshoers (vs. breaking trail). Moderate trek: Take the middle trail that rolls up and down with enough elevation gain and openings in the forest for fantastic views. Steeper option: Only if we have enough snowshoers and 2 leaders and sweeps: Take the trail on the right which goes uphill for the views. Both options have views out to Mt. McLoughlin, Brown Mountain, and the mountain ridges to the east, when clouds don’t cover them. Return the same way. Distance: 4 miles RT with elevation gain at 500 feet for the middle trail, or 800 feet for the trail to the . Weather Forecast. Howard Prairie SNOTEL.