Wonder Trail - Lower Section

April 11, 2020

With various trails closed due to coronavirus restrictions & those that are open way to narrow to hike with other people out, we headed to the Ashland Watershed area above Lithia Park to try a brand new trail that currently has been desingated as one-way for hiking/biking.

The temporary TH sign at the start of the Lower Wonder Trail

We parked at a pullout near the reservoir above Lithia Park and road walked a short distance to the new Lower Wonder Trail TH located to the right at the Fairy Pond parking area.  A notice is posted here asking all hikers/bikers to use this trail one-way only.

One of many great views of the surrounding area along the trail

A little art work 

Looking up at the trees

It didn't take the trail long to begin climbing as it took us up along a series of switchbacks.  The 2.9 length of this Lower section of the Wonder trail consisted of a nice mix of climbs and flat stretches.  The climbing switchbacks gave us opportunities at each turn to take in the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  The flat stretches gave us more time to look at the various wildflowers that escorted us along the trail.  There were plenty of Frittilaria's in bloom along with Hounds Tongue, Shooting Stars, Popcorn Flowers, Manzanita, Oregon Grape and more. We even saw Snow Queen and Indian Paintbrush in bloom at the same time on the same trail!

View of the Wonder Trail 

A group of Frittilaria's

A beautiful new trail!

The trail also had a varied mix of sections or landscapes.  The more open sections allowed us to enjoy the sunshine on a beautiful day while the forested sections allowed us to stop and listen to the wind blowing through the trees.  We also had shaded sections that navigated various ravines and allowed us to look up those ravines at the beautiful large trees and some very large boulders!

One large boulder with trail to the right

Another trail view

One of the boulder sections of the trail

We really enjoyed this brand new trail and want to say a special THANKS to the Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association for providing another wonderful trail to hike!  For today's hike, after we finished the Lower Wonder Trail, we hiked FR2060 back to our car for a nice 5.3 mile loop.  We hope though to come back soon and hike this trail again and then continue on the Upper Wonder Trail and Fell On My Knee trail while connecting with a few roads for a longer loop hike.

End of the Lower section - we went left to FR2060

Heading down the wide FR2060

Osprey we saw on way back to our car

In regards to people on the trail, we had one pair of joggers start just in front of us at the TH and one other couple that we saw behind us near the end of our hike.  We did have a pair of mountain bikers pass us --  we stepped off trail to allow them by.  Otherwise, no other people encounters.

Once again, thank you AWTA for this trail.  We had a Wonderful time on the Wonder Trail!

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol