Below is a list of some of our favorite local hiking trails. Lithia Park Difficulty: Easy Description: A beautiful woodland walk through Lithia Park in down town Ashland, Lithia Park is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the unique lithium water spring, walk along Ashland Creek, stop and smell the flowers or the flowering trees all walkable from downtown. The trail extends on both sides of Ashland Creek with many bridges along the way to cross the creek. Picnic tables, restrooms, benches and playground equipment are located along the trail making a great outing for the whole family. Distant & Elevation: There is very little elevation gain from one end of the park to the other. From one end of the park the other is less then a mile, but you can walk for as long as your heart desires. Getting There: From AOS head NW on Lithia Way. Just before the stop light turn Left onto North Main. Go Right onto Water St that turns into Winburn Way, at this point you are looking at Lithia Park. Additional Info: Bring you camera and if you are looking for more detailed description stop in and pick up "Where the Trails Are" by Bill Williams. White Rabbit Difficulty: Moderate Description: A beautiful hike through the Ashland Watershed, White Rabbit is a great hike throughout the year. During the warm summer months early morning walks along the trail are spectacular. From the trailhead the trail wanders up, down and around, culminating in a stunning view of downtown Ashland and the Rogue Valley below. White Rabbit is a great hike through Madrone trees with the potential to see wildlife along the way. The trail can connect to Park St or can be done in an out and back. Distant & Elevation: The trail is 1.2 miles one way. Getting There: From AOS head NW on Lithia Way. Just before the stop light turn Left onto North Main. Go Right onto Water St that turns into Winburn Way, at this point you are looking at Lithia Park. Follow Winburn to the stop sign and take a Left on Granite St. Follow Granite St past the water tower and just past the swimming hole take a Left on Glenview. Continue on Glenview to Ashland Loop Rd and go Right. Follow Ashland Loop Rd, it will go from paved to dirt, to the trailhead parking area. Additional Info: Bring you camera and if you are looking for more detailed description stop in and pick up "Where the Trails Are" by Bill Williams. Upper Table Rock Difficulty: Moderate Description: A unique geological feature the Table Rocks are viewed when flying into the Medford Airport. Formed from lava flows forming vast fields which were erroded over time Upper Table Rock and Lower Table Rock are within feet and both seem flat as tables. Wild Flowers bloom in Spring and great views of Mclaughlin make this a great half day outing. Distant & Elevation: 1.25 miles & 742 Getting There: From AOS head NW on Lithia Way/99. Follow 99 out of town, down the hill to Valley View. Go Right toward I-5, get on I-5 North, toward Medford. Take I-5 to Exit #32 in Medford. Follow Biddle Rd to Table Rock Rd. Go Left at Table Rock Rd. Follow Table Rock Rd to Modoc Rd and take a Right at Modoc. Look for the Trailhead on the left about a mile and a half on Modoc Rd. Additional Info: Grizzly Peak Difficulty: Moderate Description: Grizzly peak is visible from just about everywhere in Ashland. During the early and mid summer the wild flowers enhance the already stunningly beautiful hike. Along the hike and from the summit of Grizzly peak you will get views of Mount Shasta, Mount Ashland, and many other natural landmarks in the surrounding area. Another advantage to this hike is that there is minimal risk of poison oak or ticks. Distant & Elevation: 3.5 mile loop & 547 Getting There: Drive up Dead Indian Memorial Hwy to Shale City Road where you will make a left. after a couple miles turn left on BLM road 38. In less then a mile you will reach a three-way intersection where you willl want to continue going straight ahead on road 38. Parking for the trail head will be approximately 1 mile from the intersection. Additional Info: Don't forget you sun block, bug spray, or camera. Pilot Rock Difficulty: Easy hike in, but scramble to get to the top. Description: A short hike leads to an exposed but easy scramble to the summit of Pilot Rock. Once on top you have beautiful views of the Siskiyou National Monument into Northern California with Mt. Shasta and even Mt. Lassen viewable. To the north beautiful views of Mt Mcloughlin may be had. Distant & Elevation: NA & 790 Getting There: From AOS go south on Siskiyou Blvd. Stay in the right lane at the intersection of Siskiyou and Ashland St. Siskiyou Blvd will take you out to the I-5 on ramp. Get on I-5 heading south. From I-5 take the Mount Ashland exit which is exit #6. At the intersection continue going straight ahead. About two miles from the intersection, just after the cresting the summit, take a left on Pilot Rock Road #40. On Pilot Rock Road stay right at the two intersection. You will come to a parking lot where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the road. The trail head is at the parking lot. Additional Info: Don't forget water or your camera. Crater Lake Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Description: Crater Lake is the only National Park in the state of Oregon, and offers an array of hikes. One of the big challenges with hiking at crater lake is the elevation. But, the elevation is also one of the aspects that makes Crater Lake so amazing. The other aspect is how spectacular the lake is. If you have time don't forget to take a dip! Distant & Elevation: Getting There: My favorite way to get to Crater Lake from AOS is by heading south on 99. Take a left on Ashland st. Ashland street becomes Hwy 66. After 2 miles take a left on Dead Indian Memorial Hwy. Take a right when Dead Indian Memorial Hwy dead-ends into Hwy 140. After 6 miles take a left on West Side Road. After approximately 20 miles the road will T. Take a left on Weed rd. Weed rd will turn into Hwy 62. Stay on Hwy 62 for 16 miles and take a right at the South Entrance rd. Once you are inside the park you will receive a map and trail guide, so you can decide where you want to start. Additional Info: It cost $10 per vehicle to get into the park. The park entrance fee last for 7 days. Mt. Mcloughlin Difficulty: Advanced Description: Mt. McLoughlin is located within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. In many places the trail is difficult to see and follow. The climb moves steadily uphill, changes to long and continuous switchbacks, and eventually climbs directly up the southeast ridge on a very faint trail through boulder fields and sections of steep, loose scree. Despite the climb’s difficulty, it can be done in one day! The trail crosses the PCT about a mile from the trailhead. Above the treeline, piled-up rock cairns mark the route to the summit. Caution: many people become disoriented upon descent, as the trail is somewhat indistinct. Come prepared and don’t descend too late in the day. Mt. McLoughlin is the highest peak in southern Oregon, and the highest point in the Cascades between Mt. Shasta and the Three Sisters. It is a relatively young composite volcano, with latest eruptions occurring roughly 12,000 years ago. The upper slopes are composed of loose rock (cinders, scoria, volcanic ash), and are prone to constant rock fall, especially above the treeline. The view from the top is 360 degrees, and absolutely beautiful. Distant & Elevation: The 5.5-mile long trail to the summit of Mt. McLoughlin winds through rocky terrain, and dense forest. Vertical elevation gain from the trailhead to the 9,495-foot summit is roughly 4,000 feet. Getting There: From Ashland, take Dead Indian Memorial Rd. heading northeast. Drive about 30 miles until the junction with Highway 140. Turn right, heading east on 140. After about 5-6 miles, turn left on Road 3661. Follow the mileposts on 3661, 2.9 miles to the junction with Road 3650. Turn left on 3650 and continue 0.3 miles to the trailhead and parking area. Additional Info: Watch for falling rock, and bring enough water, sunscreen, and a good sun hat. There is no water on the climb. Don’t forget your ten essentials! Additionally, bring a map and compass in case of disorientation on descent. If there is a hike not listed here that you would like to see please let us know. |
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