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 the 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. 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.

While the Covid 19 Pandemic is with us, hikers must be fully vaccinated and bring masks for use when close to others or indoors, and while driving together in an enclosed vehicle.

Leaders: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons, 202-870-3404.

May 10: Little Songer Butte Trail Leave Ashland Rite Aid Parking at 8:30 AM
TH: Left from parking lot onto OR-66 and continue past Ashland Hills Hotel and intersection with East Main. Stay on OR-66 (Green Springs) for 6.2 miles (past intersection with DIM and main Emigrant Lake intersection) to the OLD Green Springs Highway which is a potholed road that jackknifes off to the left side (2.8 miles past Emigrant Lake Main entrance). Drive the potholed road for ½ mile down to the parking area. The unmarked trailhead is behind the vault restroom. Drive time 20 minutes.Hike Description: Hike the trail northward, parallelling the Lake, enjoying the spring flowers and common teasel. Pass a spur trail to private property, walking along a hillside meadow often used for paragliding. Continue past a spur trail on the left that heads down to the roadbed. Enjoy more of the rolling trail perhaps to the manzanita tunnel entrance to Little Songer Butte. Return the same way until reaching the spur trail down to the right to reach the roadbed near the lake, which veers left on a trail leading back to the parking lot. The hike is a lollypop shaped route covering about 4 miles RT and about 400’ elevation gain. Weather forecast. Driving mileage: 20 miles.

May 24: Grizzly Peak:Leave Ashland Rite Aid Parking at 8:30 AM.
TH:  Drive DIM (Dead Indian Memorial Hwy) nearly 7 miles; turn left on Shale City Road and follow signs to Grizzly Peak Trail: 3 miles on pavement, left turn for 2 miles on dirt/some potholes. Driving time: 30 minutes. Hike Description: We will do an out and back lollipop loop of 5.5 miles with about 600 feet of elevation change. Hike through the forest with some uphill climbing, beautiful views, and arrive at a cliff overlooking the Ashland and Rogue Valley for lunch. Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 30 miles.