Wayside and Spur Trails at Emigrant Lake 11-17-25

Photos by Linda, Patricia and Randy

Ashland Hiking Home

We chanced the weather and stayed local, choosing Emigrant Lake for our Monday hike. The forecast called for rain in the 7 and 8 AM hours, so we moved our start time back to 9 AM.

Under cloudy skies, we drove 8 miles out on Highway 66 to a left into the Songer Wayside parking area and the TH for the Wayside Trail.

The weather was mild with none of the predicted rain or wind during the hike. Temps were in the upper 40s to low 50s.

The trail dips down from the parking area into high grass and prominent Oak groves with some rocky ascents in the hills. Mud on the trail was intermittent, and we called it out as we approached.

We followed the Wayside Trail along the channel of Emigrant Creek to a left turn onto the Spur Trail as the Lake came into view.

On the Spur, there were many Wild Rose shrubs now with golden leaves and bright red rose hips, which some sampled for ripeness.

We made stops along the trail for views, water, and wardrobe adjustments.

We took the lower trail along the Lake out to the  Spur Trail TH, then came back on the upper trail, which included the para-glider's grassy launch area and views across the Lake.

The hillsides were golden from all the Oak trees.

Heading back, we took the side trail to Little Songer Butte, where we stopped for lunch and got our group shot on the boulders.

We were 15 hikers who had the trails to ourselves. We hiked 5.2 miles with about 200' of gain.

It was a pleasant day at the Lake.

Happy Trails,
Rich