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 Recap

December 31 ,2019

Well 2019 is coming to a close and in regards to hiking, it has been a busy and exciting year for us.  We finished the year with more than 100 hikes for over 500 miles - both new personal bests for us.  We also hiked for over 63 miles in one month (March) and did more long distance hikes than any other year.

Fly Agaric mushroom along the trails at Cathedral Hills Park

Butterfly at Elk Creek Trail

Leaf covered trail at the Enchanted Forest in Autumn

Little Hyatt Lake along the PCT

Caterpillar on the Grizzly Peak trail

Tunnel along the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail

Falls at Woodruff Bridge in the Union Creek area

We also went camping and hiking at Alfred A Loeb SP, Bullards Beach SP, and Carl Washburne SP which included a visit to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, one of our favorite coastal trail systems.

The Redwoods at Alfred A Loeb SP

Muddy Lake at the New River Trail System near Bandon

Hiking the OCT near Heceta Head

We did do a number of new hikes this year which included a first time visit to the Spence Mountain Trail System in Klamath Falls.  They have a number of new trail systems and trails in Klamath Falls and we hope to get back there in 2020 to hike a few of the new trails just completed this year.

View of Klamath Lake from the Shoalwater Trail @ Spence Mountain Trail System

 We hope you had a chance to get out and hike and enjoy all the beauty of nature.  Hope you will continue to follow along with us as we hike in 2020.  Happy New Year.

Trekking Together,
Glenn & Carol (and Katie)

One tired dog after 500+ miles of hiking!