Wonder Trail - Lower Section

April 11, 2020

With various trails closed due to coronavirus restrictions & those that are open way to narrow to hike with other people out, we headed to the Ashland Watershed area above Lithia Park to try a brand new trail that currently has been desingated as one-way for hiking/biking.

The temporary TH sign at the start of the Lower Wonder Trail

We parked at a pullout near the reservoir above Lithia Park and road walked a short distance to the new Lower Wonder Trail TH located to the right at the Fairy Pond parking area.  A notice is posted here asking all hikers/bikers to use this trail one-way only.

One of many great views of the surrounding area along the trail

A little art work 

Looking up at the trees

It didn't take the trail long to begin climbing as it took us up along a series of switchbacks.  The 2.9 length of this Lower section of the Wonder trail consisted of a nice mix of climbs and flat stretches.  The climbing switchbacks gave us opportunities at each turn to take in the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  The flat stretches gave us more time to look at the various wildflowers that escorted us along the trail.  There were plenty of Frittilaria's in bloom along with Hounds Tongue, Shooting Stars, Popcorn Flowers, Manzanita, Oregon Grape and more. We even saw Snow Queen and Indian Paintbrush in bloom at the same time on the same trail!

View of the Wonder Trail 

A group of Frittilaria's

A beautiful new trail!

The trail also had a varied mix of sections or landscapes.  The more open sections allowed us to enjoy the sunshine on a beautiful day while the forested sections allowed us to stop and listen to the wind blowing through the trees.  We also had shaded sections that navigated various ravines and allowed us to look up those ravines at the beautiful large trees and some very large boulders!

One large boulder with trail to the right

Another trail view

One of the boulder sections of the trail

We really enjoyed this brand new trail and want to say a special THANKS to the Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association for providing another wonderful trail to hike!  For today's hike, after we finished the Lower Wonder Trail, we hiked FR2060 back to our car for a nice 5.3 mile loop.  We hope though to come back soon and hike this trail again and then continue on the Upper Wonder Trail and Fell On My Knee trail while connecting with a few roads for a longer loop hike.

End of the Lower section - we went left to FR2060

Heading down the wide FR2060

Osprey we saw on way back to our car

In regards to people on the trail, we had one pair of joggers start just in front of us at the TH and one other couple that we saw behind us near the end of our hike.  We did have a pair of mountain bikers pass us --  we stepped off trail to allow them by.  Otherwise, no other people encounters.

Once again, thank you AWTA for this trail.  We had a Wonderful time on the Wonder Trail!

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol

Joseph H Stewart State Recreation Area

Friday, March 20, 2020

After a couple of hours of work on Friday, Glenn took off the rest of the day and we drove out to the Joseph H Stewart State Recreation Area for a long hike.  We started at the day use area and hiked along the paved bike path through the park/campground enjoying the many blooming Snow Queen flowers till we reached Peyton Bridge.  From there we made a sharp left and hiked the Rogue River Trail along the Lost Creek Lake shore where we were treated to beautiful views of the lake on this sunny day.  We also got to see deer at least 4 different times along the trail.

View of the meadow near the campground area.

View of Lost Creek Lake

Once our loop was complete and we were back at the day use area (6.5 miles), we took a break at one of the picnic benches and ate some snacks and enjoyed more views of the lake.  There were lots of other folks out today at the park doing the same thing.  We then hiked more of the Rogue River Trail, this time towards the dam, till we reached Upper Brumley Creek Falls and made that our turnaround spot.

Upper Brumley Creek Falls

One last look at Lost Creek Lake

When all was said and done, we hiked 11 beautiful miles on an almost perfect hiking weather day.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Houndstongue

Fawn Lily

Trillium

Upper Table Rock

March 1, 2020

First day into March and we couldn't resist the sunshine outside despite the cool temps.  But that weather combo made it a perfect day to hike Upper Table Rock as noted by the many people who had the same idea as we did.

Time for some last minute Winter hiking

The view from the top

The Upper Table Rock trail starts off by climbing and really never stops till you get to the top.  The trail itself is much more rocky than Lower Table Rock and the dirt portion of the trail is as hard as rock.  Having said that, thanks to efforts to clear out some of the undergrowth, the trail is lined with wildflower plants and currently had Fawn Lilies in bloom along portions of the trail, while Grass Widows were the flower at the plateau.

Grass Widows

The last and only Vernal Pool still on Upper Table Rock

Looking out across the top of Upper Table Rock.  Only Vernal Pool is off to the left.

Since we have hiked Upper Table Rock many times, we try to hike up the 1.4 miles to the plateau as quickly as possible.  Today's effort came in at 29 minutes. Once at the top though, we always take time to walk the loop and enjoy the views.  Evidently the BLM has been at work putting up more wooden rail fences and signs in an effort to keep folks on the trail and off the fragile habitat on the plateau.  That doesn't stop everyone, but hopefully it  will stop some folks.

Some the new fencing with signs.

A cairn sighted by the Pitcairns

Heading up, up, up the Upper Table Rock trail

On the way down the trail we stopped multiple times to view Fawn Lilies, Western Buttercups and even noticed Frittillaria plants.  It is still a little early for masses of wildflowers, but by mid March this trail and plateau (as well as Lower Table Rock) would be a great hike if you enjoy wildflowers.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol