Leave from the CVS (previous Rite Aid) parking lot on Ashland Street at 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Bring water, lunch, hat, sunscreen and rain gear as appropriate. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. 100 Hikes = 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, Second Edition. Hike leader:Francie Skinner, 541-840-4042
Website: https://ashlandhiking.org
October 1: Porcupine Lake via the PCT Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Take I-5 south to Exit 738, the Central Mount Shasta exit. Right on Hatchery Lane for 0.3 miles to a left on Old Stage Road for 0.3 miles. Straight on West A. Barr / NF 26 for 17 miles to the TH. (Note: there is a signed fork indicating Gumboot Lake in 0.5 miles to the left. Continue to the right, climbing up the cirque that contains Gumboot Lakes. The PCT Gumboot Trailhead and parking are located at the summit.) EDT: 1:45
DESCRIPTION: We will follow the PCT north from Picayune Summit where we will see Picayune Lake to the left and passing below White Ridge to the right. After approximately 4.8 miles we will turn left on the Porcupine Lake trail hiking 0.20 miles where we will have lunch. After lunch we will go back out to the PCT and continue north on the PCT for approximately 0.30 miles and look down at Toad Lake. We will then head back south on the PCT to our cars. The hike has many spectacular views along the way including areas with Darlingtonia Californica plants and Mount Shasta. Distance 10.5-11 miles, elevation gain 1.300'. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 180 miles.
October 8: Castle Lake to Castle Arch – Leave at 7:30 AM. Difficult Hike. Take the trail to Heart Lake from the Castle Lake parking lot to the Crags Wilderness Boundary, where we will follow the heavily used informal “Castle View Trail” over the ridge to the PCT to the saddle just to the south. Then following an off trail bushwhacking route along the ridge top and the northeast side of the ridge to the arch. On the way back we will detour to Heart Lake. Distance 7.5 miles. Elevation gain 2,700 feet. The approach to the Arch includes a climb up a steep lightly forested slope. Weather forecast. RT Driving mileage 160 miles.
October 15: 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 22: Red Buttes to Towhead Lake Leave at 8:00 AM
TH: Past Applegate Lake to the T innersection. 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 view Continue past Echo Lake towards Lily Pad Lake head up the hill and go through the green gate and head down towards Towhead Lake Distance 9.5 miles Elevation gain 1970 feet . Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 120 miles
October 29 East Applegate Ridge Trail (EART)
Head up I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. Meet Medford area hikers at The Shoppes. Left into Phoenix and then right on OR-99. Turn left onto Stage Road then left on Griffin Lane. In about a mile turn right onto West Griffin Creek Road for 2.9 miles which becomes Poormans Creek Road for another 1.1 miles to a T junction and left onto Sterling Creek Road. Go 4 miles to the 4 mile marker and the trail is well marked 100 feet past the sign. 5.5 miles total with lunch on top then back to parking. About 500' gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles
This is where we park at Shoppes at Exit 24
