Leave from the CVS (previous 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
March 2: Applegate Lake: Penisula Loop Trails:
TH: From Jacksonville, continue straight on Highway 238 to Ruch. In Ruch, turn left towards Upper Applegate for 14.9 miles. Then turn left at Applegate Dam for 1.2 miles to French Gulch TH parking on the right. EDT one hour.Description: 6.4-mile loop around the peninsula. French Gulch Trail to Payette Trail, left onto Osprey Trail 0.7 to veer left onto Calsh Trail then right on Payette Trail to French Gulch parking. 400' elevation gain. Weather Forecast. 80 miles RT.
March 9: Jacksonville Woodlands (loop hike from Beekman House)
TH: Take 1-5 to the Phoenix exit 24, turn right onto Highway 99, then left on South Stage Road to Jacksonville and park in the Beekman House parking lot. We will follow the trails and view wildflowers, mining exhibitions and get our exercise hiking up and down the trails. We can stop for lunch at the La Fiesta restaurant, then complete our loop back to Beekman House. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 50 miles.
March 16: Mt Ashland Snowshoe to the Soccer Ball
TH: Drive south on I-5, turn off at Exit 6 for Mt. Ashland, drive up a short distance on old Highway 99, and turn right up Mt. Ashland Ski Road. Pass the lodge across the parking lot to reach a dead-end parking area near a closed gate on FS Road 20. A Sno-Park permit is required for each car (passengers should help pay for it). EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Smooth, packed snow on FS20 ideal for snowshoes, XC skis, yaktrax, or even your hiking boots. We'll go up the road towards the Rabbit Ears. WeatherForecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
March 23: Lost Creek Lake to Blue Grotto Falls via Lewis Road
TH: Drive across the Peyton bridge on Highway 62 by Lost Creek Lake and make an immediate left on Lewis Road and continue for 1 mile to the TH; EDT: 60 minutes. Description: "generally level", pretty trail through the woods along the north shore of Lost Creek Lake to the spur trail to the Blue Grotto. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 110 miles
March 30: Oredson-Todd Woods to Lithia Park
TH: Leave shuttle cars at CVS parking.
Carpool up Tollman Creek Road. Turn right on Green Meadows Way, turn left on Lupin to Oredson-Todd Woods TH parking. EDT: 10 minutes. A local hike across town that goes through three parks and ends at the Plaza for lunch. Then we take the #10 bus back to Rite Aid. 5+ miles, 800' gain. Hikers with cars at CVS, please assist drivers with cars at O-T Woods. Thanks. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 10 miles.