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 theCVS (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 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.
October 3: Pilot Rock Trail & PCT to Babbit Gap in the Fall: Meet at Ashland CVS (formerly Rite Aid) Parking Lot at 8:15 AM for an 8:30 departure. TH: Take Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; follow old Highway 99 under the freeway 2.3 miles; go left on Pilot Rock Road, drive 1 mile to PCT crossing on a rough, gravel road. Alternative for shorter hike: Continue up road to large parking area at TH for Pilot Rock). EDT: 30 minutes. Descriptions: Longer version: Walk along PCT past the former Pilot Rock parking area, past a trail intersection, and bear left on the PCT past the spur trail to Pilot Rock. Stay on the PCT to Babbit Gap viewpoint for lunch with spectacular views of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Eddy and Pilot Rock. Shorter version: From upper parking lot: Hike up the Pilot Rock trail to its intersection with PCT. Turn left onto the PCT and follow it past the Pilot Rock spur trail to continue to Babbit Gap. The two groups will meet up at the Gap for lunch. Return the same way. Compromise version (pending creative carpooling and minimum groups of 3). Distance: 5.6 miles or 4 miles (or in between). RT; elevation gain: 955’ or 500’. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 30 miles.
October 10: Non-hike
October 17: Upper Rogue - Union Creek to Knob Falls Meet at Ashland CVS (formerly Rite Aid) parking lot at 8:15 AM for an 8:30 departure. TH: Take Highway 62 north from Medford towards Crater Lake, past Prospect and up to Union Creek. Park in the lot just before Becky's on the left. Some drivers will shuttle cars to the Natural Bridge parking area and then carpool back to the Union Creek TH. Description: Follow Union Creek down to its junction with the Rogue River. Follow the Rogue River down to the Bridge to Nowhere (AHG named it). Cross the river and follow the trail on the west side up a steep grade into the woods above the river and then down to Natural Bridge. Continue down the Rogue River trail to the spur to Knob Falls and trek to the viewpoint. Have lunch. Then return to the Natural Bridge parking area. Distance: About 5.5 miles; elevation gain: 600’. Weather forecast. RT: 150 miles.
October 24: Enchanted Forest in the Applegate: Depart CVS Parking Lot at 8:30 AM
TH: Drive through Jacksonville and take Highway 238 towards Applegate for 15 miles. Just before downtown Applegate and the bridge, make a right onto North Applegate Road for 4.5 miles to a fork where you go right on Kubli Road for 400' and then right on Slagle Creek Road for 1.5 miles to the TH at pavement end. EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Hike through the forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Madrone and cross through a meadow. At 0.7 miles, fork right onto the Felton Trail among viewpoints and Madrone to trails end at a granite memorial for three men who died there in a helicopter crash in 1993. After snacks, return back to the Enchanted Forest trail, turn right and follow trail up the creek just 0.5 miles to enjoy the preponderance of Maple leaves. We’ll not take the steep climb to the saddle. We’ll turn around and head back down the forest trail to the TH. Hike distance: 5.4 miles; elevation gain about 500 feet. Optional: visit to Pennington Farms (to bring home pies: savory, chicken pot, dessert). Weather forecast. RT mileage 80 miles.
October 31: Lithia Park Loop, Japanese Garden, Halloween Revelry at Skout Taproom & Provisions: Meet at 9:00 AM on foot at the Lithia Water Fountains (Trick or Treat!) on the Ashland Plaza. TH: East entrance to Lithia Park. We’ll walk-hike up to the end for walkers, turn left for the climb up to a higher trail taking us to the pond. We’ll return back around the old water tank to loop back on the opposite side of the Park. On the return, we will visit the Japanese Garden (leader will confirm that it’s open ahead of time). Then we will complete the route back to the Plaza area to enjoy a group Halloween lunch at Skout Taproom (optional). Distance: Approximately 4.5 miles RT and 200’ elevation gain. Weather forecast.