Leave from the 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
November 6: Songer Butte @ Emigrant Lake
TH: Head out Highway 66 to just past the 7 mile marker and make a left onto the Greensprings Spur. Go one mile down that road to a right into the parking at the TH. EDT: 15 minutes. Description: Go up and out the Spur Trail from the lot. Out to the far point of the peninsula by the lake shore. Turn right up the trail to the Songer Butte cutoff on the right. Follow the trail up Songer Butte (2,700') for lunch and views of the south Rogue Valley. 5-6 miles RT with about 600' gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 20 miles.
November 13: Bolt Mountain (Grants Pass) Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Take I-5 north to exit 55 for US-199/Redwood Highway towards Ocean Beaches/Crescent City. Continue on 199 for 2.5 miles. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto OR-238 E and go 1.5 miles. Turn right onto New Hope Road. Go 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road and go 1.8 Miles. Turn right onto Wetherbee Drive 0.7 of a mile until you reach Fish Hatchery County Park. Park at trailhead. There is a pay station up a side road from parking and the cost is $5.00. There is also a port-a-potty. EDT:1 hour. Description: The trail has a good mix of smooth trail and rocky sections. The first 2 miles are the steepest part of the climb. After that, it is smooth sailing to the top for the most part. About 1.5 miles up the trail you'll see a small spur trail leading off to the northeast (right). Make sure you stay left there and follow the main trail. There are great views of the valleys and mountains around the area from the top. Distance: 6.5-7 miles Elevation Gain: 1,300'. Weather forecast. RT Mileage: 110 miles.
November 20: Buck Rock Tunnel
TH: From Rite Aid, take Highway 66 nine miles to a right on Buckhorn Springs Road then a quick right up Emigrant Creek Road for two miles to the parking area on the left. EDT: 25 minutes. Description: Go around the gate across the road from the parking area and continue up the Buck Rock Trail. The first split-off trail to the left takes you 2 miles up to the East portal of the tunnel project. Go out and up to the main trail for another 2 miles to the West portal for lunch. Back down the main trail to the parking area. 6+ mile loop with 800' gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
November 27: Cathedral Hills Park, Grants Pass
TH: North on I-5 to exit 55, US-199 South / Redwood Highway. Follow US-199 south for 2.5 miles to the left onto OR-238 for 2.8 miles to the left onto Espey Road for 0.3 miles to the left to stay on Espey Road for 0.3 miles to the TH. EDT: 1 hour.
Description: Cathedral Hills is a large complex of intertwining trails with ups and downs. Hike 6 miles. Ascent 1,000+ feet. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 100 miles.