Glenn & Carol's Hiking Adventures: Mt Ashland

Thursday, June 18, 2020

PCT - Ashalnd Meadows/Grouse Gap Segment

June 17, 2020

Glenn took another Wednesday off and this time we hiked without Katie since these longer hikes seem to do her in. We drove up towards Mt Ashland and hiked an out and back on the Pacific Crest Trail, a segment known as Ashland Meadows (due to the varioius meadows with wildlflowers along this trail) or Grouse Gap (since most folks turn around at the Grouse Gap Shelter for a nice 6.8 miles hike). We were actually a little early for the full blooming of wildflowers although there were plenty to see including Larkspur, Pussy Paws, Wallflower, Skunk-leaved Jacob's Ladder, Blue Stickseed, Mission Bells, a Dwarf Lupine and many more. About 2-3 weeks from now should see the wildflowers at their best. As we began our hike there was some leftover ice/snow from the recent storm, but that soon gave way to plenty of sunshine, blue skies and temps around 62 degrees --- beautiful! We had views of snow-covered Mt Shasta to the south and there was plenty of run-off water crossing the trail. We did meet one PCT hiker who started in Castle Crags SP in Northern CA and was planning to go all the way to Canada. He ran into 5" of snow in Seiad Valley a few days ago. We had a beautiful 11.4 mile hike as we went a few miles past Grouse Gap (after a break at the shelter) before deciding it was time to turn around. We wanted to just keep going! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

The old familar trail sign at the start of the Grouse Gap hike.

First meadow comes into view.

View of Mt Shasta to the south

Wallflower

PCT indicator

Trail segment past the Grouse Gap Shelter

The elusive but beautiful Mission Bells

Grouse Gap Shelter and Restroom

View at our turnaround point

Monday, June 24, 2019

Grizzly Peak Loop Trail

June 23 ,2019

Over the last month we have hiked many local trails enjoying what has become an amazing year for wildflowers. The extra rains we got in Southern Oregon have brought out wildflowers in numbers that we have never seen. But alas, Spring is over and Summer is upon us. But there are still places to hike with lots of wildflowers. The Grizzly Peak trail in Ashland is such a place and since we didn't hike there last year, it was time to go back to one of our favorite trails.

Loop trail at the top heading through Antelope Fire burn area

Wild Ginger --- look for the heart shaped leaves of the plant.

This trail has almost everything you could want - a short road to the trailhead, two parking lots, restroom, and portions of trail that take you through Old Growth Forest, meadows, former burned areas and high desert-like areas of rocky soil. The first mile is a slight uphill trek on long switchbacks where most of the shade loving flowers are found and the loop at the top is 3.5 miles and can be done in either direction -- we went left today to hike clockwise.

The loop begins - decision time.

Someone heading out for breakfast

Columbine

In addition to the various landscapes along the trail, you are also treated to views of Mt Shasta, Mt Ashland, Pilot Rock, and Mt McLoughlin. The hike usually takes 2-3 hours depending on how much time you take for the views, wildflowers, or just stopping to enjoy the sound of silence or the wind. Hope you enjoy the flower pictures, but try to get out and enjoy them in person while they last.

Trekking Together

Glenn and Carol