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

Siskiyou & Siskiyou View Trails

May 7, 2017

With all the new trails being made here in Southern Oregon, even the maps for the various hiking parks are outdated once they are printed.  So it was no surprise that we found a newer trail when hiking a new trail that wasn't even on the map at the Jacksonville Forest Park.

New trail......and yes, it was steep and narrow.

When we last hiked at the Jacksonville Forest Park in March, we saw a sign for the new Siskiyou trail. The trail at that time was still being finished so we did not hike it.  But now that the trail is completed and the sun was shining with temps in the 70's, we ventured out to hike at least a  portion of this new trail.

The "Beauty" part of the Siskiyou trail.....

....and the "Beast" part of the Siskiyou trail.

We parked at the main area just inside the park boundaries and began by hiking the Rail trail to the Ponderosa Snag trail till we came to the official start of the Siskiyou trail.  It was only .5 miles to reach the trailhead.  The Siskiyou trail wasted no time in qualifying for "steep" as the first .3 miles were switchbacks and uphill!

One of the many great views along the Siskiyou trail.

The trail then had various uphill and downhill segments as most trail do, but overall stayed level and wound it's way through meadows & forested areas while providing momentary views of the surrounding Jacksonville Hills.  We also saw lots of wildflowers during our entire hike like Paintbrush, Cat's Ear, Larkspur, Sea Blush, Fiddleneck, Balsamroot and more.

Balsamroot

Blue Dicks

Groundcone

At about 2 miles into our hike, we came across another trail, the Siskiyou View trail which was not listed on the map.  We decided to try this side trail and found that it becomes a loop trail with a spur to a viewpoint.  Even though the entire length of the loop and spur trail was only a mile, we were limited on time today. So after completing the loop trail,  we decided to backtrack along the Siskiyou trail to a connector trail for the Norling Creek trail.

What? Another new trail off the new trail?

The end is near.....

....and the end is here!

Once on the Norling Creek trail we headed back towards the parking area but not before hiking through the Norling Creek Wetlands area.  This wetlands habitat is in the process of being restored and we saw a few geese and ducks already enjoying the benefits.  The overflow from the wetlands area cascades down into the creeks below where there was bench for relaxing to the sound of the cascading water.  It appears that maybe picnic tables or other benches are in the works for this area which would be great.

One of the small waterfalls along Norling Creek

Geese enjoying the Norling Creek Wetlands Area

Our hike seemed to end too quickly,  but it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed venturing out on a new trail.  We hope to return to the Siskiyou trail and hike it all the way to the Pipsissewa trail and Granite Falls. But that trail is not scheduled for completion till Autumn of 2017.   Guess that is one hike we will have to wait on.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Owl Hoot Trail

March 31, 2017

It didn't take too long for us to return to the Jacksonville Forest Park  - six days to be exact - and try one the many new trails that have been added over the last year.

Time for a hoot of a hike!

We parked in the P2 area and hiked a couple of connector trails till we finally arrived at the Owl Hoot Trail.  Not sure why it is named that, but after a steady steep climb over the first 1.5 miles we began to think that maybe an Owl's Hoot is like a person laughing!

A view along the Owl Hoot trail

The trail itself is only 2.5 miles long but it provided a great workout at the beginning of the hike and then let us take in views of the Jacksonville Hills over the last portion.

View of the Jacksoville Hills from the Owl Hoot rrail

One of the many falls along the Canyon Falls trail

We hiked a couple of other trails to get back to our car which included our favorite, the Canyon Falls trail with it's many waterfalls.  It was a nice 4.5 mile hike, but it proved that even a short hike can be a hoot!

Trekking Together
Glenn and 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