The threatening forecast failed to materialize as we thoroughly enjoyed a mostly sunny day on the trails at Emigrant Lake. We had bundled up for rainy, cold weather but the rain stopped before our hike and didn't start pelting again until we got back to Ashland.

We started out at the Songer Wayside TH lot (helpful sign faces the wrong way). Along the trail through high wet grass were gorgeous flame-leafed white oaks. We first took the back trail up to Little Songer to add distance to our hike, and three of us climbed to the top of the rock outcrop.

Next our group of ten started the heart pounding climb up to Songer Butte. We took the trail that led up directly across the trail from Little Songer that leads along the ridge featuring views on both sides. Upon reaching the top in very good time we had stunning views of the valley below as we ate our lunch and back down the other leg of the loop trail. Distance: 4.5 miles, 600 ft gain.

We stopped for refreshments back at the Rogue Roasting Company in Ashland. (If this report sounds at all familiar, half of this is shamelessly plagiarized from Rich's 11/7/22 report)