September 3, 2018
We decided to spend our Labor Day laboring on the trail. But since it was a flat and fast trail, there wasn't much laboring, just blue sky above the beautiful woods.
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| Time to hike! The trail awaits. |
The
Sterling Mine Ditch Trail from end-to-end is 26 miles long. We have hiked various portions of the trail from 4 of the 7 trailheads available, and today we hiked another portion from our 5th trailhead, the Deming Gulch TH.
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| View along the flat Sterling Mine Ditch Trail (ditch to the right) |
As mentioned earlier, the SMDT is a flat trail and our from the Deming Gulch TH to our turnaround spot, proved that point. Only the occasional dip of the trail into the "ditch" provided any uphill or downhill grade. There were also two basic scenery views along the trail. Some sections were in the open sunshine which provided views of the surrounding Applegate Valley, while other sections passed through forested ravines that provided cool shade with lots of trees to enjoy. Both were welcomed and enjoyed.
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| Some sections provided views of the Applegate Valley |
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| Other sections were dominated by trees and shade. |
After hiking toward Grub Gulch for just over 3 miles, we took a break and then backtracked to our starting point. We then hiked a portion of the trail between the Deming Gulch TH and the Armstrong Gulch TH to add a few more miles to our hike. I guess you could say we did an out-and-back hike in two different directions. When all was said and done, it was an enjoyable 8.3 mile labor of love.
Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol
You can solve that flat "problem" by starting at the Little Applegate TH. Plenty of uphill grade there to help you remember what you've been missing!
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