February Hiking Update

February 28, 2020

During the month of February we hit the trail 7 more times including a nice 9.2 mile hike through every corner and height of Prescott Park.  Since there has been little rain or snow this month, plus lots of sunshine, the flowers are already making their "pre-spring" appearance in some areas.

Oaks Toothwort

Marsh Marigolds

One of many young bucks we saw at the JWT

The first Spring flower we saw this month was the Western Buttercup as we hiked the Lower Table Rock trail.  That was followed by Oaks Toothwort at the Jacksonville Woodlands Trails.  During this last week of February we have seen Grass Widows, Fawn Lilies, Houndstongue and Indian Warriors.  Seems like all of these are a few weeks early due to the warmer and drier weather here in Southern Oregon.

Houndstongue

Grass Widow

Indian Warrior

As March approaches we can only anticipate even more flowers along the trails and when combined with the start of daylight savings time, it makes for one of the high mileage hiking months of the year for us.  We plan on some new trails in March too and will try to post those as  time allows.  Till then, get out and enjoy nature as Spring arrives.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

January Hiking Update

January 31, 2020

Even though we have not posted on any of our hikes in January, we are hiking.  As a matter of fact we completed our 10th hike of the month today!  We have had some winter weather, but during January we usually hike local trails that we are familiar with and that either don't get snow or that are not too muddy.  Our hikes have included the Jacksonville Woodland Trails, Prescott Park, Valley of the Rogue State Park, Cathedral Hills, Touvelle State Park, and Lithia Creek/Ashland Watershed area. In regards to the Ashland area, they are building a new 3 mile trail from the Fairy Ponds area up to the trailhead of the Wonder Trail. We did a "scouting" hike up Forest Road 2060 to find the Wonder Trail and when the connecting trail opens in Spring/Early Summer, we hope to hike the 9 - 10 mile round-trip route.  Our month of hiking finished today as we hiked the Jacksonville Woodland Trails under blue skies and we got to see our 2 owl friends along the Britt Ridge Trail.  What a treat!  We are starting to notice all the spring flower plants coming up out of the ground, so it won't be long till the wildflowers are here.  We have many new hikes and old favorites planned for that time and hope to share those with you.  Till then, here are few pictures from hikes at Prescott Park and Touvelle State Park.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Field of snow at Prescott Park

Prescott Park

View of Mt McLoughlin (or Mt Pitt) from Prescott Park

A pair of the large oaks at Touvelle SP

2019 Hiking Begins

January 5, 2019

As the new year begins, we look forward to getting out and hiking old and new trails throughout the year.  In 2018 we hiked more times (90), more miles (465.3), more long hikes of 10+ miles or 4 hours (6) and our average miles per hike even surpassed our previous personal best too.  We traveled out to Wyoming to visit our daughter and got to hike in the Snowy Mountains again and we checked off another of Oregon's 7 Wonders when we visited and hiked at Smith Rock State Park.

Snowy Mountains

Smith Rock State Park

In 2019 we hope to make a few trips to the coast where we plan to hike Floras Lake, Cape Perpetua, and more of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT).  With the year only 5 days old, we have already been out hiking 3 times, although all were relatively short hikes.

On January 1 we hiked at Touvelle State Park. The trail took us along the Rogue River and Little Butte Creek.  Then we did a quick 1 hour hike at the Jacksonville Woodland Trails one day after Glenn got off work.  We basically hiked till it was dark which comes early this time of year.

Today we hiked at Prescott Park as we tried to get a hike in before some winter storms arrived.  As we hiked the Manzanita Trail up to the top of Roxy Ann, the wind preceding the storms hit and it felt like we were hiking at the coast.  Needless to say, we did not stop and take many pictures for fear of being blown off the trail or having a tree blown on top of us, but we did get one short of an old Oak tree along the Manzanita trail that didn't seem to mind the wind at all.

Old oak along the Manzanita trail at Prescott Park

On the hike back to our car the winds really picked up and a few times we could not even step forward as the wind blew some gusts at an estimated 60 mph.  We found that Katie doesn't like hiking in the wind as the extreme gusts made her really pull to get back to the car.

As the year goes on we hope to share our adventures with  you and look forward to hearing your comments and questions.  Hopefully you set a goal to get out and walk or hike in 2019.  In which case we look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Prescott Park - More New Trails

October 8, 2017

As the beautiful Autumn weather continues, we headed up to Prescott Park only to discover a few more brand new trails.  Seems like every time we visit, there's a new trail.  And as any hiker knows, a new trail means just one thing - it's time to hike!

New sign for a new trail - junction of Twilight and Deer Trails

We parked at the second gate and began by hiking the Twilight trail along the ridge.  We hiked along this trail about a year ago when it was brand new with no trail sign, no name, and when we had no idea where it would lead.  But this time around we hiked on it for just a mile before arriving at one of the two new connecting trails - the Deer trail.

View along Twilight trail with Rogue Valley in view

Trail sign posts were up and we made a right turn and headed uphill.  The Deer trail is only a half mile long but does give you some nice views towards Little Roxy Ann and the Table Rocks.

Large Madrone along one of the new trails

We soon arrived where a trail heads off to the right but has no sign post.  Having consulted the kiosk, we knew this was part of the new CCC Historic Trail.  But the portion to the right has not been completed yet, so we continued on as the trail changes from the Deer Trail to the CCC Historic Trail without you even knowing it.

The new Equestrian trail or road

Eventually the CCC Historic Trail will be a connector trail from the Loop Road out to the new Equestrian trail.  But for now we hiked another half mile or so on the CCC Historic trail till the it t-bones into the new Equestrian trail.  Since we didn't have a lot of time to hike this morning, we turned right onto the Equestrian trail and headed back to the loop road.  A left turn here would allow you to hike the entire Equestrian trail which is a couple of miles of trail.

Sunshine and blue skies were abundant

A couple of deer trying to hide in the grass.

Once back to the loop road, we hike clockwise till we found the Greenhorn Trialhead and hiked the descending switchbacks back to our car.  A nice loop hike of just under 5 miles.

View of Roxy Ann from loop road.

We may head back to Prescott Park before the end of the year to see if more new trails have been made.  If there are no new trails, we may try to hike the entire Equestrian trail to see what it is like. Be sure to check out the new 2017 brochure on the link at the beginning of this post for the latest trail information and if you live in the area, get out and try some of these new trails.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Twilight and Greenhorn Trails @ Prescott Park

April 29, 2017

We headed out early to hike at Prescott Park today where we hiked a newly named old-new trail and a newly named new-new trail.

The new Prescott Park Trail System logo

Confused.  We started by hiking the "Nameless" trail that we have mentioned in a couple of past postings and have hiked twice before.  That trail, starting at the first gate, is now called the "Twilight Trail" and has signage at the trailhead showing who can use the trail (hikers, bikers, horses), mileage to connecting trails (if built), and a trail rating of how hard it is (easy, moderate, difficult).

Twilight TH sign

The Twilight trail is 4.3 miles long and takes you around Roxy Ann and eventually puts you on the loop road. It passes through various types of landscapes, each with numerous varieties of wildflowers.

Katie's least favorite wildflower, Cat's Ear

Balsamroot

Once at the loop road, we turned left and hiked the loop road past the rock quarry till we came upon another trailhead sign for the "Greenhorn Trail".  We had seen this trail our last hike here, but there was no info on where the trail went or how long the trail was.  Now that signage and info is listed.  As a matter of fact, there are now large map postings all around Prescott Park that show the new trails as well as the proposed 3 trails to be built in May 2017.

The Greenhorn trail switch-backed us down to where our car was parked, so it was a nice way to finish our hike of 6.1 miles. When we did get done, there were parked cars all the way from the gate back to the power plant area -- for those of you not familiar with Prescott Park, that is quite a few cars -- maybe 60-70?  So join the crowd (or go early and beat the crowd) and get out to Prescott Park to try some of the new-new and old-new trails instead of hiking the loop road.  The wildflowers await you!

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Prescott Park Update

March 11 ,2017

After hiking the Cathedral Hill trails on Friday, we headed up to Prescott Park for a short hike along the main road and loop around Roxy Ann on Saturday morning.  Nothing eventful about the hike, but just wanted to share an update on the Prescott Park trail improvement and expansion project.

The world is a dangerous place!

At the beginning of the loop around Roxy Ann they have now cleared out, leveled and added rock to what will be one of the new parking areas.  

New parking area at beginning of Roxy Ann loop

We also noticed new posts at various trails around the loop that will eventually include the trail names and maybe miles or other information.

One of many new trail posts that we spotted.

There were also covered display boards put in since we last hiked that we are guessing will eventually include maps of the park with trail information and the famous "you are here" dot.

One of the future homes for park maps???

We did find another new trail just before the rock quarry on the right side when hiking the loop road counter clockwise.  If anyone hikes this or knows where it leads, let us know.  Otherwise we will eventually hike it ourselves and see where we end up.

Snow covered Mt McLoughlin looms in the distance

We did see a few Goldfield and Desert Parsley wldflowers in bloom and included their pictures below. That's if for now - looking forward to seeing what other changes takes place over Spring & Summer.

Goldfield

Desert Parsley

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Roxy Ann/Prescott Park - The New Nameless Trail Revisited

November 13, 2016

Back in August we hiked a brand new trail in the Prescott Park area that offers an alternative to hiking the paved and gravel roads through the park.  Being new, it still had no name and is part of an expansion of Prescott Park that will include more trails, parking and other facilities.  Having hiked the new trail beginning at the second gate, we decided to revisit the trail and hike it in the opposite direction.

What?  Where is the fun in not hiking in the mud!!!

We began by hiking the road a short distance past the second gate till we found the Madrone Trail sign and turned right to head up, up, up and yes up this short but steep trail. At the top of the trail we met the king of the Madrones overlooking his namesake trail.

King of the Madrones overlooking his namesake trail.

The Madrone trail is a connector trail between the roads, so we made a right at the road intersection and hiked the road till we found the Nameless Trail turnoff on the right.  With recent rains there were portions of the trail that were muddy, so this might be a trail to avoid during or right after rains when the roads provide a better alternative.  However, if  you enjoy mud, then you will enjoy this trail as we did for the second time.

One of the muddy sections of the Nameless Trail

Through the Manzanita's we go!!

There are great views of the surrounding areas and the trail takes you through a forrested section as well as through a maze of Manzanita.  We were also treated to great views of Little Roxy Ann before starting our climb up the switchbacks and to the end of the trail.

Great views of Little Roxy Ann

View up towards Roxy Ann near the end of the Nameless Trail

Although this is a short 5.5 mile hike, we are glad to have this Nameless Trail as another alternative when hiking at Prescott Park and look forward to seeing what other trails are created.  We'll keep you posted.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Roxy Ann/Prescott Park - The Nameless New Trail

August 28, 2016

Roxy Ann/Prescott Park is one of those "close to home" hiking parks that we don't do postings on too often. However, since this hike was on a new trail, so new it wasn't even named or signed yet, we decided to let everyone in on the secret.

Glenn heard about this new trail while in line at the local Fred Meyer store. Seems the couple in front of him began talking to the cashier about a new trail they had hiked at Roxy Ann that moring and the cashier, an avid hiker, wanted to know more details.  Glenn chimed in that he too had hiked up there and was interested. So after a glowing account of their hike and since Fred Meyer shoppers are honest and truthful people, we decided to get this new nameless trail a try.

A portion of the new trail near the start

August here in Southern Oregon is usually known for two things:  hot weather & smoke from wildfires.  On the day we hiked, we knew we would have to start early to beat the heat but late enough to allow the first gate on the drive up to be open.  So we arrived at 8:00 am and planned on a 2-hour hike . (a little Gilligan's Island music please)

The trail was in the shade on the west side of Roxy Ann Peak 

The trail starts right at the second gate area where everyone parks.  It is on the left side of the road and takes you slightly downhill from the main road but for the most  part  parrallels the road.  Since it was early, most of this porton of trail was still in the shade.  After about a mile the trail begins a series of long switchbacks downhill till your reach the saddle area between Roxy Ann Peak and Little Roxy Ann.

Little Roxy Ann

After the switchbacks the trail begins entering the more forrested portion of the hike which was our favorite part.  The climbing and descending were mixed in with flat portions as the trail wound its's way around trees and manzanita bushes.  We came across deer a few times during this portion and there were different spots on the trail that afforded great views of both Table Rocks.

Slowly the trees begin to appear......

Even the manzanita were subject to the trail cutters.

The trail eventually made it way to the north-east side of Roxy Ann where the landscape is an Oak Savannah and mostly out in the sun.  We saw numerous large dead woodpecker trees and their residents along the trail and had some great views of Roxy Ann in one direction and Mt McLoughlin in the other direction.

Must be a few woodpeckers in the area

VIew of Roxy Ann Peak as the trail heads out into the sun 

The trail ends by tying in to the loop road near the Rock Quarry.  The distance from the start of the trail to this point is 4.3 miles.  So for most hikers, you would take a left onto the loop road and walk it around and down to get back to your car.  It would be about a 6 mile hike.  Or if  you are into long hikes, taking a break where the new trail joins the loop road and then hiking back the way you came on the same trail would take you back to your car for an 8.6 mile hike.

View of the end of the trail

View of end of the trail from the loop road - no sign, no name, just a trail

However, both of those options are not what we did, but then you probably don't want to do what we did, at least not on a hot day.  When we arrived at the loop road we saw another new trail right across the road and thought it was a continuation of the trail we had hiked and that it would take us back to our car.   (Jaws music please).  At least that is how Glenn heard it told, but maybe those Fred Meyer shoppers weren't honest????  Anyway, that other trail we took consisted of a series of switchbacks that go uphill to the very top of Roxy Ann, which was not on our agenda today.  So after hiking two-thirds of the way up and then realizing where this trail was going, we jumped onto the Manzanita trail to get back down.  That trail by 10:30 am was in full sun and it was a long..... hot....... descent and our hike turned into a 7 mile "way too hot and long" hike in which we drank all of our water.  Good thing there was a Starbucks on the way home!!

But don't let our misadventure scare you away.  This new trail (the first one) is a very nice 4.3 mile trail and we really enjoyed hiking it.  The soil is loose in many sections due to it being new and not yet packed down, so do watch your step.  It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding ---- at least there was evidence that all 3 groups have used this trail.  Matter of fact, we hope to hike it again in the Autumn or Winter and will probably try to do the out and back hike for 8.6 miles.

There are plans for even more trails and facilities to be built at Prescott Park, so for those of you in the Southern Oregon area, keep your eyes and ears open for any updates.  In the meantime, we'll keep exploring any new nameless trails we find and keep you updated through our blog.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Roxy Ann Loop

December 26, 2015

Even with the holidays and all the recent rains & snow, we have still managed to get out hiking.  We haven't done any postings on those treks because most have been local hikes that we have posted about in the past.  But since our daughter Maggie was out visiting for the holidays and there was a good covering of snow, we decided to do this quick posting about our recent hike on Roxy Ann.

And so it begins......

 After driving up through the clouds to get to our starting point, we were treated throughout the hike to blue skies, much welcomed sunshine, and beautiful views.  The trail around Roxy Ann wasn't too bad although the shaded parts were still covered with lots of ice and snow.

Hiking along one of the shady portions of trail

Glenn's 3 snow angels - Maggie, Carol & Katie

We enjoyed seeing the Upper and Lower Table Rocks, the Rogue Valley, the snow covered mountains toward Ashland, and of course, Mt McLoughlin with its snow covered peak.  It's great to see all the much needed snow already!

First view of Mt McLoughlin

Full view of Mt McLoughlin

Katie got her snow fix as she took time to make snow puppies (her version of snow angels) and take an occasional dash through the snow off trail.

Panoramic view from the trail

When we started our hike there were only four cars at the trailhead, but as we finished two hours later, there were literally dozens of cars.  It's great to see so many people taking time to get out and enjoy nature.

Panoramic view with Mt McLoughlin  in the middle of the picture.

In closing, we want to wish all of you a Happy New Year, and we hope that in 2016 you will get to do some trekking of your own.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol (& Maggie)