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 from the CVS (previous Rite Aid) pking 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 (occasionally elsewhere depending on driving directions to the TH). 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.
Leaders: Elisabeth Zinser, 541.646.6109 and Kay Simmons, 202-870-3404.
February 6: The Wonder Trail: Leave from the TH Parking above Lithia Park at 9:00 AM.
TH and Parking: From Ashland Plaza, drive up Windburn Way, then Granite Street which turns into a gravel road. Veer right just above the swimming reservoir. Another 0.1 mile to where Lithia Creek flows under the road. Park in the Fairy Ponds lot. The Wonder TH is across from the parking. Description: We’ll follow the creek down briefly and then climb 10 switchbacks, finding nice views of Grizzly Peak (weather permitting). At about 2.3 miles, we’ll pass a huge granite boulder and many dinosaur egg boulders scattered down the hillside. At the intersection where the Wonder trail intersects with the Fell on Knee trail, we’ll take a spur trail down to the USFS Road 2060 to return to our cars for a 4.6-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. Weather forecast.
February 13: Forest Park Trails, Jacksonville
Meet at CVS, Ashland, parking lot by 8:50 am to arrange carpools. Depart at 9:00 AM.
TH: Drive to Jacksonville. From the 4-way stop in Jacksonville continue 0.8 miles on Highway 238 to a right on Reservoir Road. Drive up Reservoir Road to parking area P4. EDT: 50 minutes. Description: We will hike various Forest Park trails. Hike distance: 4-5 miles. Elevation gain: 700’, Weather forecast. RT driving mileage: 50 miles.
Freburay 20: Snowshoe at Buck Prairie: Meet at 9:45. Leave at 10:00 AM
TH: Take DIM about 18 miles to Buck Prairie #I Sno-Park. Sno-Park Permit required for each car (purchase or borrow). EDT: 30 minutes. Description: Snowshoe up to the intersection with 3 trails (and an outhouse). Take the trail straight ahead until arriving at areas for nice views. Have lunch and return the same way. Distance: 4 miles (less if the going is slow due to trailblazing); elevation gain: 500 feet. Weather Forecast. Howard Prairie SNOTEL. RT mileage: 40 miles
February 20: East Applegate Ridge Trail
Meet at CVS, Ashland, parking lot by 8:50 am to arrange carpools. Depart at 9:00 AM
TH: Head up I-5 to exit 24, Phoenix. 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 Poorman’s 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 turnoff is well-marked 100 feet past the sign. EDT: 35 minutes. Hike Description: We will hike out and back with exceptional views. Distance about 6 miles RT with about 700 feet elevation gain. Weather forecast. RT mileage: 70 miles.
February 27: Snowshoeing on Mt. Ashland towards Rabbit Ears. Meet at 8:15 AM at CVS parking, Ashland, to sort out carpools. 8:30 AM departure.
TH: Drive south on I-5, turn off at Exit 6 for Mt. Ashland, drive up a short distance on old Highway 99, and turn right up Mt. Ashland Ski Road. Drive past the downhill ski area to reach the far area near the closed gate on FS Road 20. A Sno-Park permit is required for each car (passengers should help pay for it). Bring a Sno-Park pass if you have one. EDT: 30 minutes.
Description: We will snowshoe on FS20, which has been groomed. I don’t recommend Yak-Trax because the snow will get soft as the temperature warms up. Distance: 3 - 4 miles; elevation gain up to: 600’ Weather forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.