Hobart Bluff
The trail to Hobart Bluff is short and sweet. In the springtime, the wildflowers on this hike make it one of the most picturesque hikes in the Rogue Valley. Starting at around 5280 ft in elevation, the first mile of the trail is on the Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) rolling through forests and meadows. At a mile in, the trail makes a well-marked left, diverging from the PCT. Another 0.5 mile of less and less forested trial leads to Hobart Bluff. At 5502 ft, the views from this sparsely treed bluff are some of the best of the valley!
Distance/Elevation
1.5 miles one-way / approx 220 ft. elevation gain
Terrain
Gently rolling hills and meadows. Hobart Bluff itself is a large formation of Basaltic cliffs set above a small lake. The approach on the PCT and the climb up the back of Hobart is moderately strenuous, but very manageable. The view looking west and north is absolutely unique, and the light on some evenings is breathtaking!
Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate
Getting There & Map:
- From AOS head southeast on Siskiyou Blvd/Hwy 99.
- Turn left onto Ashland St/Green Springs Hwy 66. You'll go over Intersate 5, pass Emigrant Lake, and the road will start to climb.
- 14.8 miles past the I-5 overpass, turn right onto Soda Mountain Rd. If you make it to the Green Springs Summit, you have gone too far.
- Follow Soda Mountain Road for about 3.5 miles. Parking is just a pullout on the gravel road in a meadow. The trail is marked as the Hobart Bluff trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Recommended Equipment
- Day Pack
- 1-2L of water/person
- Windbreaker
- Fleece, Down, Primaloft (depending on season/weather)
- Sunscreen
- Sun glasses
- Sun Hat
- Collapsible Hiking Poles (optional, but helpful!)
- Energy Snacks
- Lunch
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: 45° 5' 6.85" N x 122° 28' 53.8" W
- Trailhead elevation: 5295ft
- Summit Lat/Long: 42° 5' 43.76" N x 122° 28' 34.89" W
- Summit Elevation: 5500ft
Care should be taken when visiting Hobart Bluff in the winter. Soda Mountain Road is often covered in snow and ice. Use of chains/traction tires is advised. Also, having a winter survival kit in your car never hurts!
Wildflowers are most plentiful from May to July. The view of Shasta from the top is amazing! The same is true of Mt. McLoughlin. Bring water, and your camera!
Resources & Links
Weather
Click Here for the NOAA weather forcast for this area.
