The third try got it done on Monday as a hike that was postponed twice due to downed trees was completed on a cleared trail. The Grub Gulch Trail and a new section of the Jac/Ash Trail had six spots where the trails were blocked by downed trees in January. After the SUTA crew cleared those spots, then the February heavy snow came, downing about 200 more trees and branches. (Thanks to Jim Rielland and his crew for clearing the trail twice!)

It was a beautiful sunny Spring day with the afternoon sun warming to the 70s. Lightweight hiking clothes were worn along with some sun hats.

We parked two shuttle cars on Griffin Lane where the hike ends then drove up Sterling Creek Road to the sign for the Deming Gulch TH.

The trail was dry and clear with new Spring wildflowers starting to come up along the path. We saw blue Snow Queen, purple Shooting Stars, yellow Buttercup, and white Tooth Wort.

Ditch trails are mostly level with a slight downhill slant to transport water for hydro-mining back in the 19th century.

After 3 miles on the Deming Gulch Trail, we took a sharp right turn uphill onto the Grub Gulch Trail for 2.8 miles with a lunch stop near the top and views across the valley of the snowcapped Siskiyou range. Our group photo was taken there.

The final 2 miles came when we turned left onto the signed Jac/Ash Trail. This section has active mining claims posted in the first part, and homesteads in the second part. As we hiked on the old forest service road we heard many rifle reports in the distance. As we neared the first homestead there was a bypass trail that took us around the occupied section.

We hiked through Oak Groves, then back across the road and into a forest and along a dry creek bed, then finally out to Griffin Lann and the awaiting shuttle cars at 2 PM.