Leave from the Safeway parking lot in Ashland 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
June 6: Grizzly Peak (p. 138 in 100 Hikes). TH: Drive Dead Indian Memorial Highway 6.7 miles; turn left on Shale City Road (paved but potholed) for 3 miles; Left on BLM 38-2E-9.2 to 5 way intersection. Straight (Grizzly Peak Trail sign) and continue uphill 0.9 miles to the TH. EDT: 30 minutes. Description: spring flowers should be in bloom on this popular trail near Ashland. Distance: 5 miles; elevation gain: 1,200 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 30 miles.
June 13: High Lakes-Fish Lake Trail from Lake of the Woods to FS 37 (p. 122 in 101 Hikes) TH: Follow DIM 22 miles to FS 37; go left 7 miles to North Fork Campground and leave shuttle car; continue to Highway 140, make right, then right again on FS 3601 (west side of Lake of the Woods) to High Lakes Trail Crossing. EDT: 60 minutes. Description: follow High Lakes trail west 6 miles to Fish Lake resort; then continue 4 miles to FS 37 on Fish Lake trail; trail parallels Hwy 140. Insect repellent may be useful. Distance: 9 miles; elevation gain: 750 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 90 miles
June 20: Porcupine Gap to Soda Mountain Lookout (p. 130 in 100 Hikes) TH: New Hike. Take Mt. Ashland exit 6 off I-5; follow old Highway 99 under the freeway for a little over 2 miles; go left on Pilot Rock Road, drive about 2 miles to the old quarry; bear left (downhill) onto dirt road some 3 miles to the PCT access at Porcupine Gap. EDT: 45 min Description: hike north along the PCT past Little Pilot Peak with open stretches with wonderful views and cool stretches among Douglas firs with Spotted Coralroot and Phantom orchids in bloom. The final 1/2 mile up to the Soda Mountain Lookout is off the PCT and uphill about 350 feet through open woods and meadow. Great views from the lookout. Distance: 10 miles; elevation gain: 1,800 feet. Weather Forecast. RT driving mileage: 40 miles.
June 27 PCT from Cook & Green Pass to Lilly Pad Lake (p. 150 in 100 Hikes) TH: Past Applegate Lake to the T. 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: 90 minutes. Description: We are going to take a look at this new (to us) section of the PCT. Follow the PCT west along the crest with views of the Red Buttes, Mt. Shasta and the Klamath River Basin along with the Marble Mountains. Return via the old mining road and Bee Camp Spring. Distance: 8 miles; elevation gain about 1,000 feet. Weather Forecast. RT mileage: 110 miles.