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 6: PCT from Cook & Green Pass to Echo Lake and towards Lilly Pad Lake (p. 160 in 100 Hikes) Leave at 8:30 AM
TH: Past Applegate Lake to the T intersection. Left on Elliot Creek Road / NF-1050 for 2.1 miles. Right on NF-1055 for 9.8 miles to the TH at Cook & Green Pass. High clearance vehicles recommended. EDT: 1:45. Description: Hike on the PCT to the ridge above Echo Lake for a nice lunchtime view down to the Lake. Continue past Echo Lake towards Lily Pad Lake for huge additional views. Turn around before the Lake or continue down to the Lake. Elevation gain of about 2,000 feet, spread out gradually over the hike. 7.1 miles return to the turnaround or 8.1 miles to Lily Pad Lake and back. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles
October 13: Fall Colors hike on the Upper Rogue River. Leave CVS 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 20: Hike the Rainie Falls Trail on the Lower Rogue River
Leave CVS 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 4+ miles with just 300' of elevation gain. Could see salmon jumping up Rainie Falls. Weather forecast. 110 miles RT.
October 27: Enchanted Forest to Felton Memorial
TH: Drive through Jacksonville and take Highway 238 towards Applegate for 15 miles. Just before downtown Applegate and the bridge, make a right onto North Applegate Road for 4.5 miles to a fork where you go right on Kubli Road for 400' and then right on Slagle Creek Road for 1.5 miles to the TH at pavement end. EDT: 60 minutes. Description: Hike through the forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Madrone, and cross through a meadow. At 0.7 miles, fork right onto the Felton Trail among viewpoints and Madrone to the trail's end at a granite memorial for three men who died there in a helicopter crash in 1993. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 80 miles.