Bull Gap
In this area, there are several cross-country skiing trails. The Bull Gap Trail is the most popular of these. This 5.7-mile trail connects the Bull Gap trailhead to Mt. Ashland. Beginning at the trailhead, the trail follows FS Rd 2080 to Bull Gap, a four-way intersection in the middle of a saddle. These first 3.3 miles slope gradually downward, losing about 600 ft of elevation. From here, the trail steadily rises for the next 2.5 miles, climbing 1100 feet to the Mt. Ashland Ski Lodge. The trail from the Bull Gap intersection to Mt. Ashland is not yet marked, but the trail is easy to follow nonetheless. If you're an experienced skier looking for more of a challenge, try Crest Loop or Road 200. Both of these are accessible from Bull Gap. In our Resources & Links section below, there is a link to a map of the area from the Southern Oregon Nordic Club. Dogs are not permitted on or within 150ft of the Bull Gap trail system. As a note, a Sno-Park permit is required to park at the trailhead.
Terrain
Bull Gap is located in a geographical saddle on the ridge between Neil Creek and Ashland Creek. The trail follows part of the old Ashland Loop Road constructed by the CCC. Once the only route from town up to the mountain, it is now closed to motorized traffic and was converted to the current trail system in 1993. The trailhead is at 6100ft. The trail drops down to around 5500ft traversing a ridge to the saddle. From the saddle, the trail climbs to around 6600ft finishing at the Mt. Ashland Ski Park parking lot.
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced
Directions & Map:
- From the Ashland Outdoor Store, head SE on Siskiyou Blvd/99. Stay on this road through town.
- Merge onto I-5, heading South, just South of town.
- Take exit 6 towards Mt Ashland.
- Take a Right on Mt Ashland Ski Road. Follow this road for about 7 miles.
- After about 7 miles, there will be a pulloff on the right. This is the trailhead for Bull Gap. A Sno-Park permit is required to park here.
Recommended Equipment
- Day Pack (15L-35L)
- Layers
- Gloves
- Hat
- Active layer - soft shell or fleece
- Insulating layer - down or synthetic fill jacket
- Hard Shell pant and top
- First Aid Kit
- Backcountry repair kit
- Basic emergency/overnight kit
- Small foam pad for breaks
- Goggles or sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera
Food & Water
For water, 2L-3L per person for a day trip is recommended. As for food, several small snacks throughout the day are recommended. Big meals are fun but bog you down. Small snacks allow for a continual flow of energy to your body. For your snacks, try to balance sugars, fats, proteins, and carbs so your body is continually fueled. This helps reduce crashes in energy during the day.
Additional Info
- Trailhead Lat/Long: 42° 4' 14.72" N x 122° 41' 44.64" W
- Trailhead elevation: 6100ft
Resources & Links
- AOS Cross-Country Rental Info
- Bull Gap Trail #1017 Forest Service Info Page
- Southern Oregon Nordic Club
- Bull Gap Nordic Trail Map
Weather
Click here for the NOAA weather forcast for this area.
