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
October 7: Hike the Rainie Falls Trail on the Lower Rogue River.
Leave Rite Aid at 8:30 AM
TH: North on I-5 to Merlin Exit 61 in Josephine County. Drive about 20 miles down the road and park by the bridge crossing the Rogue. The trail will start directly in front of you.
Description: The trail is on the shady side of the river. The trail is at times rocky so hiking poles are advised.
This is a short hike of 5+ miles with just 300' of elevation gain. Weather forecast. 110 miles RT.
October 14: Fall Colors hike on the Upper Rogue River. Leave Rite Aid at 8:30 AM
TH. North on I-5 to Exit 30 then 52 miles up Highway 62 to the Wooddruff Bridge turn off, parking on the left before the bridge.
Description: View the Fall color change on Dogwoods and Vine Maples to Reds and Yellows along the Rogue River Trail. 7 miles RT.
Weather Forecast. 140 miles RT.
October 21: Kangaroo Lake to Bull Lake PCT (CA). Leave Rite Aid at 8:00 AM
TH: Head South on I-5 to exit 766 (Gazelle). Turn left (south) on Highway 99 for 7 miles to Gazelle. Turn Right in Gazelle onto the Gazelle Callahan Highway. Drive 18 miles to left turn for Kangaroo Lake (clearly marked) on Rail Creek Road. The TH parking for Fen Trail is on the left in 6.8 miles, just before the main Kangaroo Lake Parking. The TH is just across the Road. EDT: 1:35. Description: Climb to the saddle above Kangaroo Lake and down a short distance to the PCT. Turn left on the PCT and follow it all the way to Bull Lake. Overlooks include entire Marble Mountains, Trinity Alps and Siskiyou mountains as well as Kangaroo Lake, Robber Meadows, Bull Lake, Shasta and Mount Eddy. Destination Elevation: 7,080 feet. Distance: 8 miles; Elevation Gain :1,200 feet. Total Ascent: 1,500 feet. Optional descent to Bull Lake adds 1 mile and roughly 300 feet of ascent. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 150 miles.
October 28: 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.