Leave from either Rite Aid parking lot on Ashland Street or Comfort Suites parking lot, Exit 19 as indicated promptly at 9:00 AM. TH = trailhead; EDT = estimated drive time; CSNM = Cascade Siskiyou National Monument; RT = round trip mileage; PCT = Pacific Crest Trail; DIM = Dead Indian Memorial Highway. AHG Hike Leader: Liz Landreth 707-332-2699.
The wildflower walks focus on botany, geology and ecology. There is plenty of time for stopping and discussion as well as taking photographs and birding so birders are encouraged to bring binocs. There are no specific walk distances - it all depends on the number of species we encounter; we get our exercise running off into the underbrush! Figure a minimum of 4 hours for these excursions. Bring water, lunch, hat and sun-screen.
PLEASE NOTE: Wildflower Walk locations are subject to change due to weather and bloom conditions. Contact me if you are not on my WW distribution list so I can add you for last-minute updates.
May 2: Enchanted Forest
Meet at Comfort Suites parking lot, off I-5 Exit 19. We leave at 9:00 AM.
So aptly named! Crowds of Indian warriors, carpets of shooting stars and a treasure chest of trilliums. We could stop for wine and cheese at Wooldridge Creek Winery afterwards.
TH: Take 1-5 north to Phoenix Exit #24. Turn right onto Highway 99 for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto South Stage Road for 3.4 miles. Turn right onto Griffin Creek/South Stage Road for 0.3 miles, then turn left, continuing on South Stage Road for 3.5 miles to Jacksonville. South Stage Rd/California Street becomes Highway 238. Head west towards Applegate for 15 miles. Just before the hamlet of Applegate, turn Right (north) onto North Applegate Road for 4.5 miles. Turn Right onto Kubli Road for 400 feet and then Right on Slagle Creek Road for 1.5 miles to road end at the TH. EDT: 50 minutes
Duration: 4-5 hours; elevation gain: 250 feet. Weather forecast RT: 80 miles.
May 16 - Eight Dollar Mountain and Illinois Valley
Meet at Comfort Suites parking lot, off I-5 Exit 19. We leave at 8:30 AM.
A long distance but totally worth it excursion features a botanical treasure chest of rare, serpentine endemics found in SW Oregon: the carnivorous Darlingtonia/California pitcher plant/Cobra lily, beautiful fragrant native azaleas, and dozens more. Guaranteed fun!
TH: Head north on 1-5 to Grants Pass 36 miles to Exit #55. Take Highway 199 through town towards Selma 26 miles. 3 miles past Selma, turn Right onto Eight Dollar Mountain Rd (FS 4201) for about 1 mile to the Eight Dolloar Mtn Botanical Area sign on the Right. . EDT: 75 minutes.
Afterwards we drive to the Little Falls Campground for 2-mile hike to the falls, then back in the car to our secret spots off FS4201 and have a little fun bushwacking.
Duration 6-8 hours. elevation gain: 250 feet.. Weather forecast. RT: 120 miles