Collings Mountain Trail



View of Applegate Lake near the summit

Carol and I drove out to Applegate Lake yesterday to meet up with the "Friends of the Umpqua" Hiking Club from Roseburg and hike the 7-mile Collings Mountain Trail.



We parked at the Hart-Tish Park entrance and were then shuttled to the Watkins Campground entrance. After introductions to the club members, all 14 of us started what the club calls a "Richard Hike" - a hike that is uphill at both the start and end of the trail!

  

One of many snow covered mountains

The first 3 miles were uphill and tough, but also brought great views of Applegate Lake and the surrounding snow covered mountains.  After climbing almost 1700 feet to the summit, we took a lunch/snack break and got to meet and talk with the other hikers as well as take in more beautiful views. From the summit, the trail looped around the backside of the mountain where we encountered multiple fallen trees across the trail. It was quite an obstacle course, but it wasn't uphill.  After crossing the ridge for a few miles, the balance of the hike was downhill and eventually followed a little ravine with a small creek.  We did take a short side trail to view a Bigfoot Trap that was actually used back in the 70's in an effort to capture Sasquatch.  Unfortunately the trap was empty!  The end of trail was a short uphill climb back to the cars,  so the "Richard Hike" definition for this trail was true.

The Bigfoot Trap - still empty!

Carol and I enjoyed this hike, although we were very tired when done. In addition to the Collings Mountain Trail, the Applegate Lake area offers other hiking trails along with various facilities and activities that make it a great day trip destination.  For more info visit http://www.applegatelake.com/home.html

Carol and I want to say a big THANK YOU!!! to the Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club for letting us hike with you. You are a great group of folks and made us feel like we were part of your Club. We hope to hike with you again in the near future!!

If any of you are interested in knowing more about the Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club, please visit their website at http://friendsoftheumpqua.org/  One club member, and the leader for this hike, Richard O'Neill, has a website and blog containing great information and pictures of hikes in Oregon. Take a few minutes to check out his website too. http://richardhikes.com/

Till next time, get out there and hike -- who knows where the trail will take you and who you will meet.

Trekking Together

Glenn and Carol

Glenn & Richard striking the famous "Richard" pose!