Hobart Bluff

May 21, 2017

Last year we hiked twice from the Green Springs Summit area. First a short hike on the Green Springs Mountain Loop trail (2.9 miles) and then a week later a 10+ mile hike north along the Pacific Crest Trail to Little Hyatt Lake.  Both were beautiful hikes filled with wildflowers.  This year we decided to start another hike at the Green Springs Summit, but this time head south on the Pacific Crest Trail and visit Hobart Bluff.

Time to hike!

We arrived early in the morning as we wanted to be done hiking before the heat (seems strange to say that) arrived, but were surprised that upon arrival the winds were really blowing.  It felt like being at the coast! Our hike south along the PCT begins by passing between private properties, so we stayed strictly to the trail and enjoyed hiking through open meadows as well as shaded forested sections.

A warning to the wise.

The early wildflowers have come and gone in the lower elevation Rogue Valley area, but here at the summit it was like going back in time.  We got to see Snow Queen, Yellow Violets, Fawn Lilies, Cat's Ear, Trillium and Buttercups again as the spring wildflower parade was just beginning.  As a matter of fact, we were surprised as we came across a few snow patches along and on the trail which Katie really enjoyed.

First little patch of snow along our hike.

A beautiful trillium

PCT passing through one of the meadows

After about 3.5 miles of trail, we came to the Hobart Bluff overview trail and made a right turn.  This side trail to the bluff may be short, but if was also steep. Along the trail to the bluff there were lots of Phlox and bright yellow Balsaamroots as well as even more wind!  We even found a cairn which caused Katie to celebrate. We took a break on the bluff and enjoyed views of Mt McLoughlin, Mt Ashland, and Mt Shasta.

The trail  UP to Hobart Bluff begins

Balsaamroot

Katie celebrating a Cairn

View of Mt McLoughlin from Hobart Bluff

On our return leg of the hike we came across at least four other pairs of hikers.  It was nice to see so many people getting out and enjoying the trails.  In terms of wildlife along the trail, we did scare a pair of deer, had a Northwest Tree Frog cross out path, and ended with a lizard posing long enough to have his picture taken.

Pacific Tree Frog

A lizard that holds still.

We really enjoyed hiking the PCT to Hobart Bluff and have put this hike on our list of "hike-agains".  If  you ever get the chance, be sure to visit the Green Springs Summit area and try one of the many hikes available. Whether it's a short, mid-range, or long hike, we're sure you will enjoy all the beauty and views this area has to offer.

Trekking Together

Glenn & Carol

Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail

May 1, 2016

We have hiked at various places in or around the Ashland area such as Grizzly Peak, Oredson Todd Woods, Lithia Creek, Ashland Meadows and Wagner Butte, but have never hiked trails near or around the Green Springs Summit.  So when our sister Karen wanted to join us for a hike, we decided to head for the Summit and try a new short loop trail called the Green Springs Mountain Loop.

A sign that says "it's time to hike".

 Although the Pacific Crest Trail has been around for some time, a few years ago a connector trail was added which connects two points of the PCT to form a loop.  Although only 2.9 miles long, the loop allows you the opportunity to hike the PCT and get a sampling of the beauty in this area.  It's also a great hike for the family.

A birdseye view of where we were and the loop trail

After taking a few short side roads from the summit on Highway 66, we arrived at the trailhead parking lot which has room for about 6 vehicles.  It was just a short walk down the road to where the Pacific Crest Trail comes across the road and heads north to start our hike.

The PCT quickly arrives at a "fork in the road" and you can hike the loop in either direction.  We decided to hike counter-clockwise and start with the connector trail and then hike the PCT south back to the starting point.

Blue skies and white puffy clouds - beautiful day for a hike!

The connector trail is a mere .75 miles but takes you through beautiful wooded areas where we saw Trilliums, Snow Queen and Yellow Violets along the trail.  We did have to cross a few down trees, but that is typical this early in the hiking season.  We also had to pass through one gate which was either to keep cows out or the hikers in - not sure which.

Katie leading the way through one of the meadows on the PCT

It didn't take long till we intersected with the PCT again.  You can continue north on the PCT from here and hike a couple of miles to Hyatt Lake, but for our hike we made a left hand turn and took the PCT south for about 2 miles till it met the connector trail intersection to complete the loop.

Mission Bells

Even though some parts were through wooded areas again, the trail does take you through a couple of meadows that allow you wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and Pilot Rock.  We saw a few more varieties of wildflowers in these meadows like Larkspur, Fawn Lilies, and Ballhead Waterleaf. We were even treated to a pair of Mission Bell flowers --  a sight we have seen very few times while hiking.

View of Pilot Rock

When our loop was completed, it was just a short hike down the road and back to our car.  Our hike lasted a mere 90 minutes but provided us with some wonderful views, beautiful woods and flowers, and whetted our appetite to return to the summit and hike the PCT to either Hyatt Lake (north) or Hobart Bluff (south).  Look for that posting in the near future.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol