China Gulch Loop @ Jacksonville Forest Park

March 10, 2019

A week ago we hiked the new Knobcone Pine trail at the Jacksonville Forest Park.  Since the week following saw no snow, we thought (key word) that the trails out to another new trail, the China Gulch Loop, would be snow-free.  So between a Saturday hike at Upper Table Rock and a Monday hike at Touvelle State Park, we headed back to the Jacksonville Forest Park on Sunday for another new hike in 2019.

One of the longer & larger falls along the Canyon Falls Trail

We began at the P2 parking area and headed up the Norling Trail which was snow-free.  But as we transitioned onto the Canyon Falls Trail the snow began appearing in patches and eventually turned completely to snow.  Since our hike continued to climb in elevation, the snow continued to climb in elevation too until it was a couple of feet deep.  Katie enjoyed all the snow and took time to roll in it.  We did not.

The higher you go the deeper the flow of snow!

As we hiked up the Arrowhead Pass Trail where the snow was very deep, we tried to step in the recent footprints along the trail.  Glenn joked that probably Bruce and Linda (aka Boots on the Trail) had probably been up here hiking this new trail before we could and sure enough, in about 100 yards who did we meet coming down the trail -- Bruce and Linda.  Be sure to check out their posting on this new trail too by clicking here.  After chatting for a little bit, Bruce and Linda headed downhill and we made our way up to and around the China Gulch trail --- which was snow-free.

Almost to the new loop trail

Along the China Gulch loop at last.....

It is a short but very nice loop that allows a couple of nice views of the surrounding area.   There are a few remnants of metal and cement along with the "ditch" that runs along the trail at times.  After hiking the loop to an access road, we short cut down a gulch still following Bruce and Linda's foot trail since it was hard to find the connecting trail back to the actual start of the loop.

Another view of the trail (?) covered in snow.

We returned along a different route mainly to avoid the snow and finished at 7.1 miles in 3 1/2 hours.  The snow is beautiful and all the creeks were full of water.  We want to go back when the snow is really gone and enjoy this hike again, maybe in the reverse order of trails.  Our trail route for this hike beginning at P2 Parking Lot in order was: Norling - Canyon Falls - Twin Peaks - Shade Creek - Arrowhead Pass - China Gulch Loop -  Arrowhead Pass - Atsahu - Twin Peaks - Madrone Grove - Owl Hoot - Boulder - Ol' Miners - Norling.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Knobcone Pine Trail @ Jacksonville Forest Park

March 3, 2019

After hearing from local hiking friends Boots on the Trail that the Jacksonville Forest Park had some new trails, we decided to venture out on a sunny Saturday and see if we could find and hike these new trails.  We parked at the P1 parking area and picked up a new map to find 3 new trails either made or "to be made: Knobcone Pine, Rattlesnake, and the Arrowhead Pass trail - which includes the China Ditch area of the park.

The new wildlife viewing shelter at the reservoir.

Katie enjoying the leftover snow!

We decided to head out and try the Knobcone Pine trail since it wasn't too far out in the park and it would also lead us to Granite Falls which we wanted to see.  With all the recent rain and then our snowstorm last Tuesday, we figured the falls and creeks should be full of water.  As we made our way by the Historic Jacksonville Reservoir we came across a new (at least since the last time we hiked here) wildlife viewing shelter which is a great addition, and got to see the P1A parking area being made which will increase parking capacity and also feature restrooms.

On to a new trail!

View along the Knobcone Pine trail of a Knobcone Pine Tree

Madrone bark chips on snow -- looked like chocolate shavings on ice cream

After working our way along the Norling and Siskiyou trails, we came to the sign for the 1-mile long Knobcone Pine trail.  We also came across lots of leftover snow which added beauty to the hike and made for a much slower hike.  Glenn failed to look at the description of this new trail which was rated as "Difficult" since it climbs around 600-700 feet in that one mile, but regardless, it is a great trail with amazing views and will have 2 viewing areas that are currently cleared but not built.

Hiking along the snow filled trails.

Granite Falls - Most water we have seen!

View of falls from other side with sign in view.

We then connected to the Pipsissewa trail and hiked down to Granite Falls.  Most of the year Granite Falls is either dry or barely a trickle, but today there was a descent amount of water and we took time to enjoy this rare view of Granite Falls.

A full and beautiful Jackson Creek

Small waterfall on Jackson Creek

View of Norling Trail on our return hike.

We made our way down the hill and over to the Norling Trail just below the Canyon Falls Trails and enjoyed seeing all the water in Jackson Creek as we made our way back to the parking lot.  A nice snow-filled 5.9 mile hike that took us 3 hours due to the snow and climbing.  On our next trip here we hope to work our way out to the Arrowhead Pass loop trail which is a 1.5 mile loop and will require around 6-7 more miles to get there and back.  This may be a 10+ mile hike in the near future.  If you can, get out to the Jacksonville Forest Park and explore any of the 32 trails available for hikers and bikers.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Jacksonville Forest Park

November 17, 2018

With a forecast of rain in the near future, we took advantage of another beautiful sunshine day with blue sky to get out and enjoy what may be the last color of Autumn.  Nearby Jacksonville Forest Park was our destination as we set out to hike up to the Upper Peak lookout.

The sign says it all.  Richard, this sign is for you.

We began at the P-1 parking area and hiked up the Ol' Miners trail, up the Owl Hoot trail, up the Twin Peaks trail (notice a trend here?), and finally up the Upper Peaks trail where after an hour-and-a-half of uphilll hiking for 3.3 miles, we could stop, sit down on a bench, and take in the view of the valley.

One of the very nice park shelters on the way up to Upper Twin Peak

View from Upper Twin Peak lookout

Although there was a little smoke haze from the fire in Northern California, it was still a great view and we enjoyed the silence with an occasional breeze that would blow an oak leaf or two past us.  Katie on the other hand, is always impatient when we stop and unless food is involved, is ready to hit the trail.  So out came a few biscuits to soothe the savage beast.

Autumn color and blue sky!

We could have hiked the same route back to the car, but instead we hiked over to the Canyon Falls trail and then the Norling trail to enjoy some last Autumn color in the trees and along the trail.  We have really enjoyed seeing the color on our many Autumn hikes this year and will be sad to see it go.

One last view of Autumn color.

Hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy the Autumn color too. Next up, winter hiking.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Legburner, Claimjumper & Sophie's Trail @ Jacksonville Forest Park

September 24, 2017

After welcoming Autumn with a hike at the Jacksonville Woodland Trails on Friday, we decided to get out and enjoy the absolutely beautiful Autumn weather in Southern Oregon again.  This time we went across the highway to the Jacksonville Forest Park.

A hiker's worst nightmare?

Over the past year the Forest Park has added some new trials to bring the total number of trails to 25.  We have hiked all of them except  -- the Legburner, Claimjumper, and Sophie's trails.  So today our goal was to hike out to those 3 trials and hike them to complete the hiking cycle.

Oregon Grapes in their Autumn splendor

We parked in the main parking area (P1) and hiked along the Norling, Canyon Falls (yes there was still some water in the creek), and Jackson Ridge trails for about an hour.  We then took a nice break at one of the viewpoint benches and enjoyed the quiet and views of the valley which included a snow covered Mount McLoughlin.

The view on our break along Jackson Ridge - Mt McLoughlin is left of center with snow.

After 3 miles of hiking we finally came to the trailhead of the Claimjumper trail.  Many of the wooded areas along this trail were full of Madrone trees which are now shedding their bark after having dropped many leaves.  The trail and surrounding areas were covered and it made for a noisy crunchy hike.   It also meant that no wild animals could sneak up and surprise us, so that was good too.

Claimjumper trail with Madrone trees, bark, and leaves.

Eventually we arrived at the junction with the Legburner trail and made the turn to head up to the top of the ridge.  We hiked this trail south to north and felt it was not that bad.  It did climb, but was manageable.  As we headed down the other side from the ridge, the trail seemed much steeper.  So if you want a challenge, hike the Legburner from north to south and let us know how that went.

The one and only other hiker we met on the Jackson Ridge, Legburner & Sophie's trails

The Legburner trail ended at Sophie's trail and we made a left turn and hiked half of the very shaded trail till we reached the Jackson Creek trail.   The woods along Sophie's trail were thick with trees and despite being in the afternoon, the sun was blocked out by both the ridge and trees.  It was probably our favorite trail of the day.

Exit stage left

The Jackson Creek trail took us back to the Norling trail which took us back to our car.  At times Jackson Creek had water and then it would disappear and the creek would go dry, only to have water reappear again.  Katie preferred the water filled portions since they provided opportunities for a quick dip.

Fallen Autumn foliage along the Jackson Creek trail

Between the blue skies, some Autumn color, the peaceful quietness and wonderful smells of the woods, it was a nice 7.8 hike to wrap up the first weekend of Autumn.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Jacksonville Forest Park Update

March 25, 2017

The town of Jacksonville here in Southern Oregon has 2 trail systems. The Jacksonville Woodlands trails cover around 16 miles and are located within blocks of downtown.  The Jacksonville Forest trails are about 2 miles from downtown and now have over 30 miles of multi-use trails.  Since we typically hike the Woodland trails more often, we decided to visit the Forest Park and hike for a couple hours.  What we found was that the Forest Park has made numerous improvements and upgrades and has many new trails either completed or in the works!

Time for some hiking!

For our hike today we trekked along the Rail, Ponderosa Snag, Norling, Canyon Falls, Boulder and Ol' Miners trails to cover around 5 miles.  We didn't know anything about the new trails, but while hiking the Ponderosa trail we saw a trailhead sign for the Siskiyou trail which we had never seen before.

What?  A new trail????

Not knowing where this trail led or how long it was in length, we continued on the familiar trails we noted enjoying the Fawn Lilies, Houndstongue and even a few Trillium wildflowers that had made their Spring appearance.

Our first Trillium sighting

Our favorite trail of the day was the Canyon Falls trail and one we would recommend you hike before summer gets here and the creek is down to a trickle.  Even though the trail is less than a mile long, you hike along Jackson Creek and are treated to many small but beautiful waterfalls that beg to have their picture taken.

One of the many small waterfalls along Canyon Falls trail

View of Jackson Creek from Canyon Falls trail

A small waterfall squeezes between rocks in an effort to be seen.

We did have a few trees to clear along our hike, so here is the largest one that we encountered.  No problem for Katie, but us humans aren't so agile and it took us a little longer to get by.

Wind and rain have taken their toll on trees this year

When our hike was over and we arrived at our parking area, we visited the kiosk and picked up one of the new map/brochures on the park. These list each trail, it's length, difficulty and notes new trails recently finished and/or in progress.  We counted 6 new trails added or being added since we hiked this time last year. There are also 7 parking areas located at various trail junctions throughout the park.  Each parking area has loop cards that correspond with various colored diamonds that mark trail loops within the park and you are encouraged to take these cards with you on your hike - just return them when you are done. They've also added shelters and overlooks on some trails and have a list of Points of Interest within the park.  So stay tune for some more Jacksonville Forest postings as we plan to go back and do a couple of new hikes this year.  Better yet, get out and hike there yourself if you live in the Southern Oregon area.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol