Summer Recreation Guide 2020 by Rosebud Media

THINGS TO DO

Southern Oregon Outdoors summer recreation guide July 19, 2020

| Sunday, July 19, 2020

A summer made for the outdoors By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

The Mail Tribune’s annual summer activities guide — better known as 55 Things to Do — is usually packed with entertainment options such as movies in the park, festivals like the Medford Cruise and Rogue River Rooster Crow, music events such as the Ashland

2 ON THE COVER: Liam Lusch jumps from a log at Union Creek. MAIL TRIBUNE / JAMIE LUSCH

Assignment/content editor: David Smigelski Publisher: Steven Saslow Design: Troy Heie

City Band and Britt concerts, as well as theater options at the Shakespeare Festival and the Craterian. But as we all know, 2020 is not a normal year. Indoor options such as plays and movies are mostly off the table, and outdoor gatherings at events like the Bigfoot Festival and Gold Dust Day fell victim to COVID-19 restrictions.

So this year, we decided to focus on outdoor destinations that highlight our region’s best attribute — natural beauty. We chose 55 summer options in Southern Oregon and far Northern California skewed heavily toward lakes, rivers, hiking trails, parks and iconic natural features such as Pilot Rock and Rabbit Ears. Not only

are these places worth visiting, they are destinations that in most cases should allow plenty of space for social distancing. According to the Oregon Health Authority, it is safe to go hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing and, in fact, OHA says it’s important to find ways to get exercise and fresh air — in a safe manner. It is important

to make sure that you are healthy before you go, and maintain six feet between you and any person who is not a member of your immediate household. Travel with masks in case you have to stop at a store or someplace with people. So there you go, we’re following doctor’s orders with the 2020 edition of 55 Things to Do.

Rabbit Ears By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune

Among the more unique geological features in the Southern Oregon Cascades are Rabbit Ears, a pair of volcanic plugs in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest that jut into the sky not far from the Rogue River. They’re available to view from a distance or up close. To start, take Highway 62 north to Union Creek and then veer off onto Highway 230 toward Diamond Lake for just under a mile. You’ll turn left onto Forest Service Road 6510, then FSR 6520 and FSR 6515, for a combined 7.5 miles. That will put you

near the west ear, where after a short walk down a trail, you can explore the rock formations, or continue in your car along the road to view them from another nearby vantage point. If you go to enjoy the ears from up close, do so safely and be advised that scaling them is safest with the help of technical rock climbing gear. Another mile up the forest road in your vehicle will take you to the turnout toward Hershberger Mountain. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, drive the 1.8 miles up to the trailhead, where you can hike to a restored fire lookout at the top of the mountain. There, you’ll

ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST PHOTO

Hershberger Lookout and Rabbit Ears on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest near Union Creek.

find a view of the Rabbit Ears clear day, you should be able to and other landmarks along the see Mount Shasta and Mount Rogue-Umpqua Divide. On a Thielsen.

Rafting the Rogue River By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune

The pandemic may have reduced the number of events around the Rogue Valley, but there’s still plenty of social distance in a kayak on the Rogue River’s rollercoaster rapids. Whether you’re searching for whitewater adventure or lacy riffles, the Wild and Scenic Rogue River’s variety makes it a rafting and kayaking destination. Rafting season runs through October, and with navigable stretches along much of the 85-mile Wild and Scenic corridor, there are itineraries available for every skill level. A great gentle float for

Advanced paddlers will want to check out the Nugget run from just below the former Gold Ray Dam site to the Gold Hill Sports Park. Rafting companies abound along the length of the Rogue, offering rental rafts and gear for do-it-yourselfers, but expect some changes in operations this year due to COVID-19. For instance, Orange Torpedo Trips out of Merlin largely phased out its van shuttle this summer. Instead, tour staff will shutMAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO tle customers’ vehicles from Kayaker Anthony Floyd splashes through Muggers Alley on the Rogue River the starting point to the end near Gold Hill. point of the tour, then wipe beginners is the 12-mile stretch Cole M. Rivers Hatchery — to down and sanitize the vehicle, from Casey State Recreation Upper Rogue Regional Park in according to Orange Torpedo’s website. Area — about 3 miles below Shady Cove.

3 Thundering Waters By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

A cool way to spend a hot summer day is basking in the mist of a plummeting waterfall, and Southern Oregon is home to a gem called the Thundering Waters tour that will let you soak in the mist of many falls. Most of the route follows the North Umpqua River along Highway 138, aka “waterfall highway.” Perhaps the area’s most celebrated falls is Toketee Falls, which features a two-tiered drop of 40 and 80 feet. It is one of Oregon’s most-photographed cascades, adorning countless calendars and postcards. The .4-mile trail to Toketee, consisting of catwalks and bridges in a narrow chasm, is an attraction unto itself. Fall Creek Falls is off a one-mile trail that passes through a narrow bedrock crevice and lush vegetation to a double falls with tiers of 35 and 50 feet. Watson Falls — the highest waterfall in southwestern Oregon at 272 feet, plunges over the edge of a basalt lava flow. A wooden PHOTO BY NANCY MCCLAIN bridge crosses Watson Toketee Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls Creek 0.3 mile from the trailhead, and offers an in Oregon. excellent view of the falls, which are also visible from the parking area. Clearwater Falls, which drops 30 feet over moss-covered rocks and logs, is just a short walk up the Clearwater River. Lemolo Falls drops 102 feet into a deep pool of the North Umpqua River at the end of a 1.7-mile hike. Other falls include Susan Creek Falls, Steamboat Falls, Little Falls, Deadline Falls, Whitehorse Falls and Warm Springs Falls. Touring all of these sights in one day makes for a long day trip from the Rogue Valley, because the minimum driving time is five to seven hours. Some of the falls are within sight (or sound) of parking areas, while others can require a hike of 1 to 2 miles. To download a brochure of the waterfall tour, see www.fs.usda.gov/ Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_056140.pdf MF-00128060

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| Sunday, July 19, 2020

Mount Ashland

degrees cooler than the valley in summer. Trails criss-cross the mountain, and shuttles are available from Ashland that allow mountain bikers to ride By Joe Zavala Mail Tribune trails 13-plus miles downhill to Lithia Park. Walkers can enjoy the In the winter, people come for the skiing, but in the mountain’s spectacular summer, Mount Ashland is a views from numerous trails, place to escape the heat, see including Grouse Gap, the wildflowers, ride mountain Pacific Crest Trail and the bikes, have a picnic, or go for 6.8-mile Mount Ashland a scenic drive with eye-pop- Trail, a dog-friendly loop that will take hikers past a ping views. With a summit elevation wide array of wildflowers of 7,533 feet, Mount Ash- and is also popular among land is almost always 10 to 20 birdwatchers.

The one-mile Mount Ashland Summit Trail allows peak baggers to ascend to the pinnacle of Mount Ashland, the highest peak in the Siskiyou Mountains, from the ski area, where they can get an up-close view of the white dome that houses the Doppler radar system used by the National Weather Service and air-traffic controllers to track storms. To get there, take Exit 6 off Interstate 5 then head up Mt. Ashland Ski Road to get to the ski area, which is 22 miles from Ashland and 36 miles from Medford.

Take a dip

MAIL TRIBUNE/FILE PHOTO

Mount Ashland provides one of the easiest access points for the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail.

Upper Rogue River Trail

By Mark Freeman

By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

Mail Tribune

Summer isn’t summer without dipping into a swimming hole on a hot, sunny day, and Southern Oregon offers lots of options. We don’t have room to list every swimming hole we know about, but here’s a starter list to get you going:

For Rogue Valley visitors this summer, here’s a little inside tip for what locals do when it gets hot, smoky, COVID-19 restrictive or all three in the valley: Go north.

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

The cove swimming area at Emigrant Lake is a favorite place for locals to cool off during the hot summer months.

Hyatt Lake offers a sandy beach, with plenty of picnic tables and parking. The lake is about 25 miles east of Ashland off Hyatt-Prairie Road. Lithia Park’s swimming reservoir is in the southern tip of Lithia Park, near the intersection of Granite Street and Glenview Drive. Call the city at 541-488-5340. Lost Creek Lake has a large swim area at Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area. The lake is about 35 miles northeast of Medford on Highway 62. Call 541-560-3334. Applegate Lake offers many miles of secluded or bustling shoreline. The lake has a large designated swimming area, but several coves around the lake, such as where Manzanita Creek enters the reservoir, are popular for swimming. Applegate Lake is about 30 miles southwest of Medford. Big Squaw Lake, at 50 acres, and Little Squaw Lake, at 12 acres, both offer a calm, quaint setting. The hike-in reservoirs are located off Forest Service Road 1075 about nine miles east of Applegate Lake. To get there, cross Applegate Dam on French Gulch Road and take a right about 1.5 miles from the dam. Parking costs $5. Call 541-899-9220 or see applegatelake.com/campgrounds_squaw_lakes.html Emigrant Lake is probably the closest swimming hole to Medford. It has a beach and swimming cove, and has been a popular spot for local masters swimmers for years. Please note that the park’s water slides are closed this year due to COVID-19. See jacksoncountyor.org/parks/ Day-Use/Emigrant-Lake/

JAMIE LUSCH / MAIL TRIBUNE

Takelma Gorge is one of many highlights on the Upper Rogue River Trail near Union Creek.

North as in up Highway 62 to the Prospect and Union Creek areas of Jackson County, where the Upper Rogue River Trail between these two Rogue outposts just screams “day-hikes” for fantastic experiences — even watching the upper Rogue disappear underground into an ancient lava tube. The trail, known on maps as Forest Service Trail No. 1034, follows the river through miles of basically flat terrain, and there are some massive Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and rare sugar pine along the way. Forest Service roads and campgrounds offer myriad access points to the trail off Highway 62, so you can hike any of several sections. Take one car? Pick a spot like Union Creek, then travel up or down until you’re almost tired, and head back. Two cars? Place one at your destination then head back to the jumping-off point for a straight-shot hike that doesn’t give you deja vu. Union Creek is about 50 miles up the highway from Medford. COVID-19 restrictions mean only a handful of campgrounds, such as Farewell Bend, are open, it still remains a great day-trip destination right down to the ice cream at Beckie’s Cafe. One of the top draws of the trail is the Rogue River Gorge just upstream from Beckie’s. While the parking lot was closed heading into summer, it is still accessible from the trail or Highway 62 just upstream of it. But you don’t need to hike to appreciate the region. The Highway 62 corridor into Union Creek is awash in old-growth Douglas fir and sugar pines in what is a federally protected scenic byway.

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Lake Siskiyou

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There are many water adventure sites in Southern Oregon and Northern California, and one well worth looking into is Lake Siskiyou, where the water may be the deepest blue you’ve seen and majestic Mount Shasta overlooks the 430-acre reservoir like a formidable sentry. Lake Siskiyou’s clear water is the result of its chilly temperature in high elevation, resulting in, at 3,600 feet, a relatively unspoiled existence. There are a variety of activities to do in and around Lake DAVID SCHROEDER / FLICKR.COM Siskiyou, which Mount Shasta rises over Lake Siskiyou in Siskiyou County, is ringed by a California, Jackson County’s neighbor to the south. 7-mile trail that features tall trees, a pedestrian bridge and a variety of wildflowers dotting the landscape. There is camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, wind surfing, sunbathing, hiking, etc. Campgrounds are surrounded by thick forest, and a developed swimming beach makes for a refreshing summer afternoon. The lake is calm and peaceful, absent fast boating and jets skis, making it perfect for fishing. Trout are plentiful, and it’s hard to predict what will come next. Anglers chasing planted rainbows or brookies might have their lure hammered by a 10-pound brown. There are also largemouth and smallmouth bass and flathead catfish. Lake Siskiyou Trail circles the lake and was completed in 2010 when the Wagon Creek Bridge closed the loop at a cost of nearly $3 million. The trail, which includes six trailheads, crosses small streams and meadows and connects with other trails, including the Box Canyon Dam Trail. Leashed dogs are permitted all around the lake. To get to Lake Siskiyou from Medford, take Interstate 5 to exit 738, the West Lake Street exit in Mount Shasta City. After a quarter mile, take W.A. Barr Road for 2.8 miles to North Shore Road. Get more information at discoversiskiyou.com.

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| Sunday, July 19, 2020

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Wood River Day Use Area By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

If you’re looking for the perfect picnic spot, you might check out the Wood River Day Use Area, a serene recreation site on the Wood River 20 minutes northwest of Chiloquin and just shy of 80 miles from Medford. While you recline on your blanket, you have a very good chance of seeing bald eagles, ospreys and red-tailed hawks hunting the many trophy-size trout in the river. The Wood River, perfect for kayaks and canoes, is a short, lazy, meandering ribbon that starts with a spring up in Crater Lake and flows 18 miles through the Fremont-Winema National Forest to Agency Lake.

picnic tables, BBQ pedestals and a vault toilet. There is also canoe or kayak access, biking opportunities, a fishing area, loop trails along the woodlands and river, and panoramic views of the Cascades and the mountains around Crater Lake. Accessible facilities include parking and a boardwalk. To get to the day-use area, take Highway 62 from Medford to Highway 140 and continue PHOTO COURTESY LOREN KERNS / FLICKR.COM to Sun Mountain Road. Stay on Kayakers work their way down the Wood River in July. Sun Mountain Road for about 1.4 miles, and the Wood River Day The water is cold, clear and loaded with Use Area will be on the left. trophy trout. For details, see fs.usda.gov/recarea/ Amenities at this day-use area include fremont-winema/recarea/?recid=59819

Willow Lake

Williamson River

By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

Willow Lake, a wooded escape set near the base of Mount McLoughlin, offers an accessible retreat from the hustle and bustle of the work week. Located 7.5 miles east of Butte Falls, Willow Lake offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a peaceful day at the lake and take in picturesque views. At an elevation of 3,000 feet, with an expansive 927 acres, including 4.4 miles of lake frontage, recreational activities include hiking, swimMAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO ming, fishing, camping Butte Falls High School students sail at Willow Lake. and boating. Also known as Willow Creek Reservoir, the lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the 52-foot high Willow Creek Dam in 1952. The reservoir is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. In summer, the trout can be found in the deeper, cooler water at the base of the dam. Reservations are required for all campsites, cabins and yurts, with 63 campsites, four cabins, two yurts and one group camp. Reservations can be made by phone at 541-774-8183, with a minimum 24-hour notice. To reach Willow Lake from Medford, head east on Highway 62 and take a right on Butte Falls Highway. Continue for about 16 miles to Fish Lake Road. After 7.4 miles, turn right on Willow Lake Road and follow 1.4 miles to the destination on the left.

Marlon Rampy on the Williamson River. JAMIE LUSCH / MAIL TRIBUNE

By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune

An incredible fly-fishing mecca is barely 90 minutes from the Rogue Valley, and on hot summer days it allows visitors to intercept perhaps the region’s most ballyhooed piscatorial species. Massive redband trout each summer escape the warm and algae-laden waters of Klamath Lake to take refuge in upper lake tributaries, with the famed Williamson the largest. That’s where fly-fishermen converge to cast small green nymphs for trout that often eclipse 20 inches while hunkering down in deep pools and along ledges at this river that runs through the heart of Chiloquin. The fishery typically starts in early July and often runs through October until the big native trout emigrate back to their normal confines of Klamath Lake. Most action comes with guides, but a few public-access points exist for do-it-yourselfers. There is a public ramp in Chiloquin for anglers to launch driftboats that can take out at a private launch at a downstream RV park for a fee. The river is nearly 100 miles long and drains the largest area of land that flows into Upper Klamath Lake. In the upper section of the Williamson, Head of the River Campground provides good public access. To get there, take Williamson River Road east out of Chiloquin about 20 miles to Forest Service Road No. 4648. For access to the lower Williamson, try the Williamson River Campground and day-use area. To get there, go north on Highway 97 out of Klamath Falls to Collier State Park, then northeast on Forest Service Road No. 9730. The campground is slightly more than a mile down that road.

Wildlife Safari

Wildlife Images

By Joe Zavala Mail Tribune

Closing in on its 50th anniversary in 2022, Wildlife Safari works to save rare and endangered species from around the world while providing an educational experience as the only drive-through animal park in Oregon. Located 10 miles southwest of Roseburg at 1790 Safari

Road, Wildlife Safari features more than 500 animals, many of which are viewable up close by visitors taking a drivethrough tour, which can take about an hour to complete. The animals who roam free on the 600-acre property include an African elephant, an African lion, an American bison, an American elk, a brindled wildebeest, a brown bear and a giraffe.

By Joe Zavala Mail Tribune

Animal lovers of all ages interested in watching and helping animals can do both at Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center, founded in 1981 by wildlife rehabilitator J. David Siddon. Created to care for and treat sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, the Grants Pass sanctuary has since expanded to provide educational programs on wildlife, conservation and the environment. With a wide

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eagle and a Chilean flamingo. The park also hosts enlightening “keeper talks” throughout the day, and there’s a lively children’s petting zoo. You can pack a lunch or pay a visit to the Safari Village Cafe. Wildlife Safari is open MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO 363 days per year, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 through March Azalea Lusch has an encounter with 8, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March an ostrich at Wildlife Safari. 9 through Nov. 2. General There’s plenty more to see in admission costs $15.95 for the robust Always Free Safari children, $18.95 for seniors and Village (aka, the walk-through $21.95 for adults. For groups tour), including a ball python, rates for parties of 12 or more, an Amazon tree boa, a bald call 541-679-6761. A grizzly bear is among the residents at Wildlife Images.

southwest of Merlin at 11845 Lower River Road. array of mammals, The clinic, animal sancbirds and reptiles, tuary and education center Wildlife Images is a are situated on 24 acres of popular destination land. of local educators for Tours cost $7 for chilfield trips. A hit with dren ages 4 to 13, $12 for kids, the center’s seniors and $14 for adults. long list of residents MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO Group rates for parties of includes a bobcat, ball python, Chinese water dragon, flying 15 or more are also available. The park is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to squirrel, grizzly bear and a gray wolf. Wildlife Images is located about 12 4 p.m. May 24 through Sept. 2, and 9 a.m. miles west of Grants Pass and three miles to 4 p.m. October through May.

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Oregon Vortex

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

A tour of the House of Mystery at the Oregon Vortex outside Gold Hill may alter your perceptions.

House of Mystery and challenge its eyes with optical illusions, including a ramp where balls appear to defy gravity by rollWhen you want to take a walk on the ing uphill. weird side, head out to the head-scratchEach group will be accompanied by ing local wonder known as the Oregon a guide. The classic lecture tour will be Vortex. available but not required. Despite its otherworldly quality, the Reserving access to the Oregon Vortex Oregon Vortex can’t escape the gravity and gift shop for an hour and a half costs of COVID-19. $234. Adults 18 and older will be required This year, only people from Jackson and to present photo identification showing Josephine counties are allowed to enjoy they live in Jackson or Josephine county. this mind-bending attraction. Instead of The Oregon Vortex has been open for 90 hundreds of people visiting at a time, the years and is located at 4303 Sardine Creek vortex will accept reservations for up to Left Fork Road outside Gold Hill. 10 people. See www.oregonvortex.com for more A family can test its balance in the tilting information or to make a reservation. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune

Mount Thielsen By Ryan Pfiel Mail Tribune

The sharp spire of Mount Thielsen, easily spotted from Highway 138, points to the clouds like a finger. And sometimes, the clouds reach down. Mount Thielsen has “a reputation for attracting lightning strikes,” according to the U.S. PHOTO BY LEE JUILLERAT Forest Service webMount Thielsen as seen from Highway 138. site, so hikers are warned to watch for cumulus cloud buildup before heading for the summit. It’s a steep climb to the shield volcano’s 9,182-foot top, which offers spectacular views of Crater Lake, Mount McLoughlin and other area peaks. If you’re up for it and have the right gear, it’s worth the 5-mile hike up to the top. The trailhead is on the east side of Highway 138. Hikers will enter the Mount Thielsen Wilderness Area and cross a patchwork of “high alpine forests and open meadows,” the U.S. Forest Service website says. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the upper shoulders of the mountain, so hikers can traverse the PCT or head for the pointy top. The last few hundred feet to the summit are especially challenging. Forest Service officials recommend a light rack and light rope for the last 80 feet or so, especially if inexperienced climbers are in your party. Up top, after an elevation gain of close to 3,800 feet, the views are commanding. Crater Lake and Mount Scott rise to the south, with Diamond Lake and Mount Bailey to the west. To get there from the Rogue Valley, head east on Highway 62 to Highway 230 and then turn left on Highway 138. The trailhead will be on your right.

Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune

You can take some spectacular scenic drives from the Rogue Valley without ever going far from home. One noteworthy drive features a meandering 172-mile route from Gold Hill to Roseburg on roads that run alongside two Wild and Scenic rivers, through rolling hills and dense forests. It is designated by the Federal Highway Administration as a National Scenic Byway. The Jackson County section of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway starts at Gold Hill on Highway 234 and runs through the riverside towns of Shady Cove and Trail, then east on Highway 62. Travel

JAMIE LUSCH / MAIL TRIBUNE

Highway 62 between Prospect and Union Creek, part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, is lined by legacy pine trees.

Oregon’s Scenic Byways driving guide recommends stops outside Prospect to check

out the splendor of Rogue Gorge and see the river flowing through a collapsed lava tube 25 feet wide and 40 feet deep, and if you’re interested in going the distance through Klamath and Douglas counties, stops such as Diamond Lake on Highway 230 and Toketee Falls on Highway 138. For a full-color map and travel guides, see www.traveloregon.com. That’s far from the only pretty drive in the Rogue Valley, however. Topping Yelp’s list of scenic drives from the Medford area are drives around Jacksonville and Ashland, the drive to Crater Lake National Park and drives in Josephine County to Galice Resort or to the Oregon Caves National Monument in Cave Junction.

Prescott Park

By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune

Runners, cyclists and dog walkers looking for a spot where they can really go the social distance should find what they’re looking for in Medford’s Prescott Park. With 13 miles of trails within 1,740 acres, the park offers plenty of room to spread out and find your pace. Located in east Medford off Hillcrest Road and Roxy Ann Drive — minutes from downtown Medford — the park offers a variety of cycling and hiking trails, with panoramic

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Novice mountain bikers will like the .98-mile Greenhorn Trail, which was among trails designed for cyclists and completed in 2017 with input from the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association. Advanced bikers looking for a roller-coaster rush will find it with Black Diamond, and its stunning views and rocky elements at the top. Hikers will want to get to the top of Roxy Ann Peak, and the vistas MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO of Southern Oregon that the landPrescott Park features 13 miles of trails. mark offers from 3,571 feet. The parking gate is open from 8 views of the Rogue Valley from the top of Roxy a.m. to 8 p.m. during the spring and summer Ann Peak. It is the state’s second-largest municipal and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the fall, but the city allows hikers to enter past the locked gate park. Only Portland’s Forest Park is bigger. The well-marked trails cater to all fitness without a vehicle. Call Medford parks at 541774-2400 or see playmedford.com. levels of hikers and bicyclists.

Pacific Crest Trail By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

The Pacific Crest Trail is a national treasure, passing through Southern Oregon on its 2,659-mile route from Mexico to Canada. The trail loops to the south of Mount Ashland en route to some of our region’s most iconic natural areas, including Pilot Rock, Howard Prairie and Hyatt lakes, Sky Lakes Wilderness, Lake of the Woods, Brown Mountain, Mount McLoughlin, Crater Lake National Park and Mount Thielsen. A great way to explore the trail is with a day hike from one of the many trailheads in Southern Oregon. Pick up a PCT guidebook at a local bookstore or go to the Pacific Crest Trail website for hints on which trailhead to

choose, pack a picnic, throw it in a daypack and go see why so many people are drawn to this high-elevation footpath. Some of the easiest trailheads to reach are on Mount Ashland, near Callahan’s Lodge, at Pilot Rock, the Greensprings Summit off Highway 66, on Dead Indian Memorial Road near Lake of the Woods, and at Crater Lake National Park. Because it’s a mountain trail that passes through wilderness areas and other out-of-the-way places, be sure to bring a map, lots of water, and let people know where you’re going. If you hike before August, bug spray is a must. In midsummer and fall, check for fire closures. Get more information at pcta. org.

PHOTO BY LEE JUILLERAT

Hikers move along the Pacific Crest Trail between Dead Indian Memorial Road and Highway 140.

North Mountain Park By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune

From playgrounds and geocaches to hiking and birdwatching, North Mountain Park is a jewel. Nestled along Bear Creek near North Mountain Avenue and Hersey Street, the 40-acre park and its nature center feature a variety of habitats and wide open spaces that draw wildlife watchers. The nature center staff offices and discovery room are closed this year except by appointment, according to park Manager Libby VanWhye, but staff members are available to accommodate many requests for those who call ahead at 541-488-6606.

on sandbox areas. “We encourage people to come down and utilize the park at the recommended social distance,” VanWhye said. “There’s still lots to see and do.” For fans of the scavenger hunt known as geocaching, there are six to search for. For bird watchers, the park trails include riparian woodlands, wetland habitats and seasonal feeders that attract dozens of species, according to reports on the AshMAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO land Parks and Recreation Commission Visitors to North Mountain Park Nature Center website, with summer migratory birds walk across a wooden bridge to the parking area. such as Bullock’s orioles. No dogs are allowed in the park except North Mountain Park’s two playgrounds are partially open, according to for service animals. See northmountainpark.org. VanWhye, with closures largely focused

| Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

Kangaroo Lake picnic area and a smooth trail to the water that is popular with families. Kangaroo Lake sounds like In the summer the water is it could be in the Australian definitely swimmable, and lots outback, but of people like to let even though it’s their dogs play in in the Klamath the water. National Forest If you’re into of Northern Calhiking and wildifornia, barely flowers, the lake 90 minutes from makes a great downtown Medjumping-off point ford, it can be like to the Pacific Crest visiting another Trail, which winds world. through the mountains high The 21-acre lake on the edge above the lake. of the rugged Trinity Alps WilTo hit the PCT, you will derness is an easily accessible take the Fen Trail, a mile-long getaway, with a campground, interpretive trail that starts at By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

trail as you ascend. At the top of the Fen Trail you’ll hit an overlook above Kangaroo Lake that provides panoramic views and selfie opps guaranteed to make your Facebook friends jealous. The Fen Trail runs smack into the PCT, offering many miles of hiking options near and far. To reach Kangaroo Lake, take I-5 south for 57 miles, go past PHOTO BY NANCY MCCLAIN Yreka and turn right off exit Kangaroo Lake is seen from the Fen Trail, an interpretive path above the lake 766, the Grenada/Gazelle exit. Turn left onto Old Highway 99 that hooks into the Pacific Crest Trail. The lake is located in the Klamath South for about 8.8 miles, turn National Forest of Northern California. right onto Gazelle-Callahan the end of the parking lot at the main difference between a fen Road for 16.3 miles, then turn lake and winds upward through and a bog is that fens are fed by left onto Rail Creek Road for a fen loaded with wildflowers, moving water while bogs tend the last seven miles to the lake. For details, see the Klambear grass and carnivorous to have more standing water, which you will learn from the ath National Forest website at cobra lilies. In case you don’t know, the interpretive signs that dot the fs.usda.gov/recarea/klamath/

Upper McCloud River waterfalls By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

The sparkling water of the upper McCloud River spills like diamonds over Middle Falls as we lean back against a sunwarmed boulder and savor the picnic we drove 100 miles to enjoy. This crystal clear river with three waterfalls in a 1.5mile stretch is in Northern California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest, close PHOTO BY NANCY MCCLAIN enough for a day trip Middle Falls on the upper McCloud River in the Shasta-Trinity when the hankering National Forest. for waterfalls strikes. air is alive with kingfishers, sparrows, The upper McCloud River Trail dips in and out of a forest of towhees, tanagers, redwing blackbirds pine, dogwood, alder, maple, cotton- and warblers. Osprey and bald eagles are common overhead. wood and willow, passing The air in these woods Lower, Middle and Upper is sweet enough to eat, falls, and an old mill dam. scrubbed clean by the The trail that links waterfalls and scented by these waterfalls starts at pitch-filled conifers. Fowler’s Camp, a popAbout a mile or so from ular campground a few Lower Falls, you’ll hear miles outside the town of the rumble of Middle Falls, McCloud, California. and the first glimpse of To see all three waterthe 50-foot-tall cascade is falls as part of a three-mile roundtrip hike, park at Lower Falls. The always a thrill. trail is mostly wide, mostly soft and At the base of Middle Falls, the trail about as flat as a riverside trail can be takes a sharp turn left and switchbacks in mountain country. Lizards, ground up the canyon wall to the Middle Falls squirrels and chipmunks scamper overlook. If you go that way, views of across the trail with regularity, and the Mount Shasta and the Castle Crags

appear as you crest the trail, and in another mile or so, you’ll come across Upper Falls. To reach Lower Falls, take I-5 south for about 87 miles to the third

Mount Shasta City exit, to State Route 89. Drive 5.5 miles past the town of McCloud and turn right at the sign for Fowler’s Camp, then drive 1.2 miles to the Lower Falls parking area.

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Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune

The Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area southwest of Grants Pass is one of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states. It encompasses 180,095 acres of the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest and includes the headwater basin of the Chetco and North Smith rivers and a portion of the Illinois River canyon. Elevations range from 500 feet at the bottom of the canyons to the rocky ridge of 5,098-foot Pearsoll Peak. The diverse topography and

geology have created a wide variety of botanical species found nowhere else. The wilderness area has been home to massive wildfires in 2002, 2017 and 2018, leading to dramatic differences in the forests, striking views and some disruptions to trail networks. Check with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest before your visit for trail conditions at 541-6182200, and see fs.usda. gov/rogue-siskiyou/. In addition, you can visit the Siskiyou Mountain Club’s website at siskiyoumountainclub.org. The local group performs most of the trail maintenance in the Kalmiopsis.

COURTESY PHOTO

Gabriel Howe, executive director of the Siskiyou Mountain Club, looks west from Johnson Butte Trail 1110 in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

Mt. Ashland-Siskiyou Fish Lake Peak Botanical Area By Joe Zavala Mail Tribune

22 USFS PHOTO

Henderson’s horkelia

By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune

If you’re looking to see wildflowers in sunkissed bloom in southwest Oregon, you basically just have to throw a dart at a map. The region has plenty of wildflower hot spots, and in the summer, the best place to see them is in the mountains. One of those high-elevation wonderlands is the Mt. Ashland-Siskiyou Peak Botanical Special Interest Area, an 800-acre

botanical area that boasts numerous species throughout the summer months, including lupine, monkshood, phacelia and larkspur. “Because of the high elevation, the wildflowers do not start to flower until the snow banks melt in May to June,” according to the U.S. Forest Service website. To get there from the Rogue Valley, travel south on Interstate 5 to exit 6 and follow the access road to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area. The botanical area begins

where the access road turns into U.S. Forest Service Road 20, which follows the Siskiyou Crest. “There’s a lot of spots where people can stop and meander around,” said Teresa Fernandez, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy outreach and communication coordinator. For more information, see fs.fed.us/ wildflowers/regions/ Pacific_Southwest/ MtAshlandSiskiyouPeak/ index.shtml

With two campgrounds — Fish Lake Resort and Doe Point Campground — abutting a high-mountain lake with a 10 mph speed limit, Fish Lake is a laid back option for campers who’d rather not listen to revving motorboat engines during their weekend excursion. MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO Surrounded by Tiger trout are available for catch and release at old-growth forest Fish Lake. near the foot of Mount McLoughyear, while huckleberry lovers lin, the lake is a popular fishing can find thousands of berries spot stocked with rainbow trout in Late July and August if their and tiger trout. timing is right. Hikers have numerous Located at 4,600 feet elevaoptions, including the scenic tion, Fish Lake is always cooler 7-½-mile High Lakes Trail to than Medford during the hot Lake of the Woods, many miles summer months. Fish Lake of trails on lava-strewn Brown Resort has 45 full hook-up Mountain, the Pacific Crest Trail RV sites, electric-only sites passes near the resort, and seri- and tent sites, plus shower ous hikers are a stone’s throw and laundry facilities and from the trailhead that leads to 11 cabins. the 9,495-foot summit of Mount Doe Point Campground feaMcLoughlin in the neighboring tures another 30 spots and is a Sky Lakes Wilderness Area. short walk from the Fish Lake Mushroom hunters can Resort. sometimes find chanterelles, To get there, take Highway morels, porcinis and other 140 east. It’s about a 40-minute fungi, depending on the time of drive from Medford.

| Sunday, July 19, 2020

Diamond Lake By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune

Diamond Lake is one of the most productive and visited trout-fishing lakes in all of Oregon, but anglers are to be put on notice: There’s a new sheriff in town. Recently introduced tiger trout — at least among some of the angling crowd — are supplanting stocked rainbow trout as the target of choice because of their size and feisty aggression toward bait, lures, flies and ... their intended targets, tui chubs. These fish-eating hybrid trout have been stocked since 2016 after tui chub were rediscovered in this high-mountain lake in eastern Douglas County about 90 minutes from downtown Medford.

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

John Linson lands a rainbow trout at Diamond Lake.

While stocked to prey on any chub, tiger trout have also fed on some of the 300,000 fingerling rainbow stocked annually as well as taken advantage of one of Oregon’s most prolific insect lakes.

Now several fish over 20 inches are finning around, and they have anglers like Prospect’s “Fish On” John Linson targeting them, primarily at the lake’s south end. “I’ve seen them easily over 5 pounds swimming around, and you catch tons of them 18- or 19-inches long,” Linson says. Tiger trout are sterile crosses of brown and brook trout. They are named for the tiger-like black stripes on their bodies, and they all must be released unharmed. Diamond Lake is a popular fishing and camping destination throughout the summer. Focus is on the Diamond Lake Resort as well as Forest Service campgrounds and a pizza parlor noted for its pies and broasted chicken. It also sports a great paved biking and hiking route of 11 miles around the lake. To get there from the Rogue Valley, take Highway 62 to Highway 230, and then take the clearly marked Diamond Lake turn.

Howard Prairie Lake By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune

The old Gary Larson cartoon of two anglers seeing atomic mushroom clouds on the horizon and declaring that it means “no size restrictions and screw the limit” has come to life this summer at Howard Prairie Lake. The High Cascades lake east of Ashland now has no size restrictions or limits on rainbow trout, bass and any other fish, so anglers can take home as many rainbows as they can catch before low-water conditions

likely kill off the fish stocked annually for To get there from the Rogue Valley, Prairie Dam Road, and the small parking fishermen. take Dead Indian Memorial Road to lot near the dam is just a mile away. It’s the latest proof of the adage that, Hyatt-Prairie Road. Go just shy of 5 Stay off the dam, but fish off either in Southern Oregon, drought is bad for miles then take a sharp left onto Howard side of it. fish but often a boon for anglers. Howard Prairie is heading into summer close to 20% full, and irrigation withdrawals likely will drop it to the lowest levels since Howard Prairie Dam first began capturing water in 1959, a year after it was completed. While the popular Howard Prairie Resort and marina are closed, the resort’s campground is open. Fishing should be good and get better as the water drops, primarily around the reservoir’s dam. There is also an unimproved boat ramp near the dam that could get extended, but most fishing will be from the bank with worms or PowerBait.

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Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

Rogue River National Recreation Trail and Rainie Falls Trail By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune

The Rogue River National Recreation Trail stretches 40 miles along the north bank of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Big Bend, providing scenic views of the river as it winds through steep, rugged terrain on its way to the ocean. The trail traverses the wild section of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River, plus 16 miles of the Wild Rogue Wilderness. The eastern trailhead is at Grave Creek about 30 miles northwest of Grants Pass, while the western trailhead is at Big Bend near Foster Bar, about 35 miles upriver from the town of Gold Beach on the coast.

miles finish the trip in about 4-5 days. Private lodges and campsites provide places to stay overnight. Mountain bikes, motorized vehicles and pack animals are not allowed on the trail. For more information, see fs.usda.gov/Internet/ FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5346991.pdf. Another popular option in the area is the Rainie Falls Trail, which starts MAIL TRIBUNE/FILE PHOTO near Grave Creek but A hiker heads out from Grave Creek along the follows the shadier south bank of the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. Rogue. The 3.6-mile out-and-back trail The Marial Trailhead and Rogue River has patches of poison oak and occasionRanch provide access near the midpoint ally traverses steep cliffs, so keep close of the trail. Hikers who walk the full 40 watch over kids and dogs. The end of

Rogue River Greenway By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune

The Rogue River Greenway paved walking, jogging and biking path connects the towns of Rogue River and Gold Hill, which are nine miles apart. The path has little elevation change, making it perfect for short family jaunts, or long bike rides for more serious cyclists. The Greenway starts on the north side of the Depot Street bridge in Rogue River, meanders through trees along the Rogue River, crosses through the expansive Valley of the Rogue State Park, and then parallels a country road past farms and Del Rio Vineyard to Gold Hill. Around Gold Hill, users spend part of their time on the road, before connecting with another trail segment near the intersection of Dardanelles Street and Fourth Avenue in Gold Hill. The intersection marks another good location to access the trail. That trail segment, which is also called the Gold Hill Bicycle Trail, follows the ROGUE RIVER GREENWAY FOUNDATION Rogue River again, providing views that The Rogue River Greenway covers vary from slow-moving water to the nine miles from Rogue River to Gold raging rapids of Tiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;lomikh Falls. Hill. Supporters of the Rogue River Greenway hope to someday complete enough sections that the path will stretch from Grants Pass to Central Point, where it would connect to the better known Bear Creek Greenway, which stretches to Ashland. The Bear Creek Greenway Foundation is still planning to hold its 2020 Ride the Rogue fundraiser Sept. 26 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Bicycle rides cover 20, 40, 62 and 100 miles, followed by a post-ride party with barbecue or vegetarian options, craft beer and music at Palmerton Park in Rogue River. To register, see ridetherogue2020.eventbrite.com. Money raised will help with the completion of the Greenway. For more information on the Rogue River Greenway, including maps, visit roguerivergreenway.org.

the trail provides a close-up view of Rainie Falls, an awe-inspiring sight where most of the Rogue River thunders through a narrow chute with a drop-off into roiling waters. Hikers who get lucky will arrive at Rainie Falls during a fish run when salmon and steelhead are fighting their way upstream, hurtling into the air as they try to get past the chute. The most likely time to catch a fish run is late August through November when fall chinook salmon start their marathon journey from the ocean up the river to spawn. For more information, see blm.gov/ visit/rainie-falls-trail.

Mountain of the Rogue trail system By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune

Built in 2015 on Bureau of Land Management land, the Mountain of the Road mountain bike trail system is a relatively new addition for cycling enthusiasts. The trail network is located along North River Road south of the town of Rogue River, not far past BLM PHOTO St. Innocentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Russian The Mountain of the Rogue trail system was designed for Orthodox Church with its mountain bikers. distinctive onion-shaped beautiful views plus rollers and berms domes. Mountain of the Rogue has a small parking lot, outhouse built into the trails to create a fun, roller bathrooms and coaster effect. Users can choose short, an information medium or long loops. The challenging, b o a r d w i t h technical long loops climb high atop the a t r a i l m a p . mountain via a series of switchbacks. When looking After enjoying a sense of accomplisha t t h e m a p , ment from the climb, bikers can enjoy pay attention the fast-paced trip back down. The Mountain of the Rogue trail to the arrows m a r k i n g t h e system is 18 miles north of Medford and d i r e c t i o n o f 7 miles south of Grants Pass. From I-5, travel on trails to prevent collisions with take Exit 48 at city of Rogue River. Turn downhill speedsters as you climb up. All north on Depot Street (toward town). of the routes feature single-track trails Cross the railroad tracks and immediwith plenty of climbing and downhills. ately turn right on Classick Drive. Turn The trails have sharp rocks, are lined right on North River Road and travel with poison oak and the mountain slopes about 1 mile to the trailhead on the left. For details, including a downloadable are exposed to the sun, making afternoon rides ill-advised on hot summer days. trail brochure and map, see blm.gov/ But mountain bikers are rewarded with visit/mountain-rogue-trails

| Sunday, July 19, 2020

Applegate Lake

By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune

123RF.COM

Crater Lake is a great place to view the stars.

Summer sky watching By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune

If you drive a few miles away from light-polluted areas on a clear night, a tapestry boasting millions of stars awaits you. And whether you use a telescope, binoculars, camera or even the naked eye, it’s quite the view. “It’s amazing the difference. Even five miles out of town,” said Dave Bloomsness, longtime member of the Southern Oregon Skywatchers astronomy club. Pick your spot first. You can head up Mount Ashland, where there are a few spots to pull off and take in the heavens. The Applegate Valley has plenty of viewing opportunities. If you’re up for a longer drive, Crater Lake National Park is a pristine site. “The skies are really dark. It’s an excellent spot,” Bloomsness said. Clear, moonless nights — or nights when there’s only a sliver of our closest satellite visible — are the best. From there, just look up. If you don’t have a telescope, binoculars are a fine substitute. If neither is available, the show will still be easy to catch, more macro than micro, but beautiful regardless. “You’ll see the dust clouds, you’ll see the millions of stars and the dark patches that are blocking stars out,” Bloomsness said. “Just scan the Milky Way. It goes all the way across the sky.” This summer, Jupiter and Saturn are planets to look out for. Just gaze due south. With a telescope, the moons of the former and the rings of the latter should be visible. Even binoculars should offer a modicum of detail on the distant gas giants. “They’ll be up every night,” Bloomsness said.

This 988-acre reservoir reaches nearly to the California border and offers a wide range of recreational activities, with enough space to continue social distancing in or out of the water. A 10-mile-an-hour speed limit on the water helps keep the lake quiet and wake-free for all users, from floaters to MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO kayakers. Applegate Lake offers swimming, hiking trails, bike trails and fishing. Boats can be launched miles of exploration. at Hart-Tish Park, the If you prefer a hike, the Collings Mountain Trail Copper Ramp and French Gulch. Explore the coves in your watercraft, or from the vantage of a hiking will take you to the famous Bigfoot trap — a local attraction that you’ll be able to tell friends and family or biking trail. The Payette Trail offers a 9.2-mile ride that will about for years. To reach the lake, take Highway 238 from Jackkeep you lakeside throughout, with several good places to stop for a dip. For a longer ride, take the sonville to Ruch and turn left on Upper Applegate Da-Ku-Be-Te-De trail, which links to others for Road for 16.6 miles.

Bear Creek Greenway By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

From wooded stretches to brushes with U.S. Cellular Community Park, The Expo, Hawthorne Park and several other parks, the Bear Creek Greenway connects Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Central Point, providing alter nate routes to work, a place to work out, and space to contemplate life. Bird watching is a popular activity along the path, and in the fall people can spot chinook salmon spawning in Bear Creek. MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO The Greenway is continuous from the A pedestrian bridge carries the Bear Creek Greenway over Barnett Road Ashland Dog Park to the Dean Creek Front- in Medford. age Road near Seven Oaks Interchange on Interstate 5, north of Central Point, runreminded to keep right, pass left, and give an audining parallel to I-5, Highway 99 and Bear Creek. ble signal when passing. Dogs must be on a leash no Because it is a multiple-use trail, there are some longer than 6 feet (remember to pick up after your helpful rules and etiquette posted on the Jackson dog); properly dispose of waste and litter; horses County website to keep everyone safe. Whether are allowed only where designated, on dirt trails you bike, skateboard, rollerblade, walk, run or ride and shared portions of paved trail where marked; no a horse, it’s important to be considerate of others. motor vehicles, fires, fireworks, shooting, camping The speed limit for cyclists is 15 mph. Users are or alcohol.

Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

Cascade-Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

Mount McLoughlin rises in the background as bicyclists ride along Dead Indian Memorial Road on the Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway.

The Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway was made for bicyclists looking for a challenge. The 49-mile loop features 5,000 feet of climbs, passes by three lakes, skirts the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, and ends with a thrilling 13-mile descent on the twisting and turning road known as Dead Indian Memorial Highway. A good place to start the ride is at Emigrant Lake County Park just east of Ashland on Highway 66. From the there you will bite off a big climb up the mountain to the

Farmer’s markets By Damian Mann Mail Tribune

Summer is the perfect time to savor nature’s bounty, especially if you stroll through a farmer’s market to stock up on local veggies and fruits. While the pandemic has changed the way we go shopping, the farmers’ markets in Ashland and Medford are open for business, while taking steps to minimize the spread of the virus. Other farmer’s markets in Talent and Jacksonville are not operating this season, said Daria Land, executive director of the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market. When COVID-19 began its spread across the globe, the Ashland and Medford markets closed for two weeks at the beginning of April to plan the best way to conduct business in light of public health issues. “We’re recommending that customers wear masks,” said Land. Also, customers can no longer handle fruits and veggies, or any open food item. You can still pick up a jar of jam or other packaged items to take a quick peek. Maintaining a six-foot distance between people is urged, along with MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO frequent hand washing. Chef Constance Jesser picks “We’re recommending they tomatoes from the Medford Growers kindly use their voice to make their Market. needs met,” Land said. The market in Ashland is located at the National Guard Armory, 420 E. Main St., and is open Tuesdays. The Medford market is located at Hawthorne Park, 501 E. Main St., and operates Thursdays. Both markets are open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Greensprings summit. From there you’ll hang a left and head across a gently rolling plateau past Hyatt and Howard Prairie lakes, reservoirs surrounded by big trees and high-elevation meadows filled with wildflowers and majestic views of Mount McLoughlin. When you hit Dead Indian Road, you’ll turn left and do three more miles of climbing to the Buck Prairie cross-country skiing area at the summit of the highway. After that,

it’s 13 miles of exhilarating downhill riding back to the start. The route has long been a favorite of local riders, and in 2016 it was designated as a state scenic bikeway, the first in Southern Oregon. The route forms the backbone of an annual event called the Up & Down Ride that draws riders from around the country. See upanddownashland.com/. To learn more about the route and other scenic bikeways, see traveloregon.com/things-to-do/ outdoor-recreation/bicycling/

Covered bridges of Southern Oregon By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

If you’re looking for a low-key summer excursion, pack a picnic and take a drive to one of the covered bridges that dot the Southern Oregon landscape. The historic Wimer Covered Bridge, about seven miles north of the city of Rogue MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO River, spans Evans Creek. The bridge The covered bridge across Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point is on the National was built in 1892 Register of Historic Places. and was rebuilt for the third time Lost Creek Bridge, built in 2008. To get there, take in 1919, is just 39 feet long, East Evans Creek Road to making it the shortest covCovered Bridge Road. ered bridge in Oregon. To McKee Bridge, built in get there, take Highway 62 1917, is 122 feet long and to Highway 140 and go to the stands 45 feet above the Lake Creek exit. From the Applegate River. Just eight town of Lake Creek, go 3 to miles from the Califor5 miles on South Fork Little nia border, it is Oregon’s southernmost Butte Road, then turn right on Lost Creek covered bridge. Take Highway 238 out of Road at the concrete bridge across Lake Jacksonville to Ruch. Turn left on Apple- Creek. The covered bridge is about a half gate Road and follow the Applegate Lake mile down this dirt road. It is open to foot signs to the wayside of McKee Bridge. traffic only. Antelope Creek Bridge was built around The 105-foot-long Grave Creek Bridge 1922 on Antelope Creek, about 10 miles out- in Josephine County was built in 1920. The side Eagle Point. Now a pedestrian bridge, it bridge can be seen from I-5. To get there, was moved in 1987 to its location over Little take the Sunny Valley exit north of Grants Butte Creek in downtown Eagle Point. Pass.

| Sunday, July 19, 2020

Medford Mustangs By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

Medford Rogues player Josh Congdon rounds third base in a past season at Harry & David Field.

Medford Rogues By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

The Medford Rogues’ plans for this summer took a dramatic turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but not their desire to provide a welcome distraction for Rogue Valley residents and visitors. A collegiate wood-bat summer baseball team founded in 2013, the Rogues saw the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League cancel its 2020 season due to the coronavirus in April. In lieu of that setback, the Rogues have put together a 30-game independent schedule to be played exclusively at Harry & David Field, 2929 S. Pacific Highway, Medford. All games will involve social distancing in the seating area, allowing for up to 250 people on hand, and include hand sanitizing stations throughout the concourse and dugout areas. All tickets must be purchased in advance through the Rogues’ ticket office. This year’s independent schedule began July 7 and wraps up Aug. 16 at the end of a four-game homestand against the Cascade Collegiate League All-Stars. Each week’s Tuesday games will feature matchups with other top-level Legion programs from Grants Pass, Eugene, Roseburg and Springfield. A particular Tuesday treat will be a July 28 contest against alumni from Oregon State University’s baseball program, spurred on by first-year Rogues head coach Bill Rowe, an Ashland High standout who played three seasons at UC Santa Barbara and at Oregon State, where he helped the Beavers win their first College World Series title in 2006. Games begin at 6:35 p.m. except on Sundays, when gametime is 12:35 p.m. For more information, see medfordrogues.com or call 541-973-2883.

Medford has enjoyed outstanding success at the American Legion AAA level, with its Mustangs entering 2020 having won six straight state championships and 17 overall. A shot at a seventh consecutive title went by the wayside when American Legion Baseball canceled play in 2020 due to the pandemic, but existing Area 4 programs, like the Mustangs, have banded together for an independent schedule this summer. With rosters featuring a handful of players who would have been too old for Legion play this season,

revamped season June 15 and promptly rattled off 10 straight wins before suffering their first loss. Medford plays its home games at U.S. Cellular Community Park Field 9, 300 Lowry Lane, Medford. The Mustangs are composed of players from Ashland, Eagle Point, North Medford, South Medford, Phoenix, Cascade Christian and St. Mary’s high schools. This year’s squad features all but three players who have graduated high school, including recent University of Oregon class of 2021 commit Bennett Thompson. All of the Mustangs had at least part, if not all, of their spring baseball seaMAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO sons canceled in March so they have Medford Mustangs Jono Gassman steals thrust themselves completely into third base against Corvallis in a 2018 game. their development this summer. The Mustangs’ season will conMedford and its cohorts are fielding more experienced and deeper teams, clude with a tournament Aug. 5-9 which has led to some high-caliber at Roseburg’s Legion Field. For more information, see ballcompetition. The Mustangs opened their charts.com/MedfordMustangs/

Grants Pass Downs By Tim Trower Mail Tribune

Horse racing fans will again have an opportunity this fall to follow the sport as Grants Pass Downs stages its second fall session since becoming a commercial meet. The track is located at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, 1451 Fairgrounds Road. Dates were originally scheduled for Sept. 20 to Nov. 4, but those could be modified, as were the summer dates, to run a Tuesday-Wednesday twilight schedule with a 4 p.m. post time. The decision to race on weekdays was made as a result of COVID-19 restrictions that limited the number of spectators to 250. Those admitted to the grounds were primarily owners, sponsors and media. By operating during the week, Grants Pass Downs avoided going head-to-head with much larger tracks and offset the loss of on-track bettors with an enhanced online presence. The New York Racing Association is the broadcast partner of Grants Pass Downs and delivers the Southern Oregon track’s signal to

JIM BOB PHOTO

The Firecracker Futurity race at Grants Pass Downs.

advance-deposit wagering (ADW) companies for online gambling. NYRA also sends the signal to offtrack sites. The races are carried on Oregon’s off-track betting sites, including Lava Lanes in Medford. It’s one of eight off-track sites in the state, but the only one in Southern Oregon. There are also a number of ADW websites that include Grants Pass

Downs. There are nine listed at gpdowns.com, including XpressBet, Twinspires and TVG. The TVG Network and tvg.com will also broadcast some GPD races. Major upgrades were made to the facility, including the track surface, lighting to facilitate twilight racing, and a number of safety projects, including the installation of a retaining wall, fencing and breakaway distance markers.

Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

TAKE HOME A TASTE OF THE ROGUE VALLEY Visit the Harry & David flagship store to discover the best gourmet food, local produce, and fine wine Southern Oregon has to offer. You can also attend seasonal events and browse our incredible selection of gifts, including custom baskets perfect for sharing with friends and family back home. HARRY & DAVID COUNTRY VILLAGE STORE 1314 Center Drive, Medford, Oregon 97501 Exit 27 off I-5 • 541-864-2278 Store hours: Monday–Sunday 9AM–7PM HarryandDavid.com

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| Sunday, July 19, 2020

Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor By Damian Mann Mail Tribune

One of the best ways to enjoy Oregon’s spectacular coastline is to hike the Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor. The park runs 12 miles along the Southern Oregon Coast between Brookings and Gold Beach and boasts everything from wildflowers and ancient trees to a “secret” beach and tidepools. Named after Samuel Boardman, Oregon’s first parks superintendent, the park is a culmination of years of negotiations with private landowners. Many of park’s features can be seen by

MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

Secret Beach really does feel like a secret beach, because you can reach it only by hiking along the Oregon Coast Trail in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor between Brookings and Gold Beach.

pulling over and parking, while others require a hike. The corridor uses parts of the Oregon Coast Trail, with multiple detours and side trails to waterfalls, sea stacks and other attractions. One way to experience the corridor is to visit some of the trailheads and piece together short hikes to beautiful spots, such as: Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint: A mile-long hike leads to breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and photo-worthy Oregon sunsets. The cape is also an excellent spot for whale watching in fall and spring. House Rock Viewpoint: A memorial

commemorates Samuel H. Boardman. The 4-mile trail between Cape Ferrelo and House Rock offers many side trails to secluded beaches. Whaleshead Beach: This oceanfront picnic area has gorgeous views and an easy, flat path to the beach. Natural Bridge: Follow a short trail to one of the best viewpoints in the park — the seven iconic arch rocks and blowholes known as Natural Bridges. Arch Rock: From the paved parking lot, a short path leads to an overlook featuring a series of offshore sea stacks and islands.

Illinois River Trail

BLM PHOTO

Hyatt Lake offers swimming, fishing and camping, and the area around the lake is great for bike riding, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.

Hyatt Lake By Kris Henry

PHOTO BY BRUCE HOPE

The Illinois River is seen from the Illinois River Trail.

By Ryan Pfeil

Mail Tribune

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains in the northern corner of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, the 745-acre Hyatt Lake provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing and boating. Hyatt Lake is located 20 miles east of Ashland and, at 5,200 feet in elevation, offers a cool break from the summer heat. During spring and summer, Hyatt Lake offers rainbow trout and smallmouth bass fishing. The area around Hyatt Lake is filled with deer, bears, eagles, osprey and other wildlife, along with significant botanical diversity. Two hundred species of birds are known to exist in the monument, including some threatened and endangered species. The unusual rough-skinned newt can be spotted by the keen-eyed observer. Access points for the Pacific Crest Trail are easily accessible starting from the campground, which has 56 sites. For details about camping during the pandemic, check reserveamerica.com. Due to low water levels this summer, all public boat ramps are closed, but kayaks, canoes and other small boats can be launched from shore. To reach Hyatt Lake from I-5, take Exit 14 in Ashland and then turn onto Highway 66 toward Klamath Falls. Follow Highway 66 for 17 miles until you reach the Green Springs Inn. Turn left on East Hyatt Lake Road and follow for approximately 3 miles until you reach the lake.

Wildflowers, wilderness, old-growth trees and a river canyon await those who hit the Illinois River Trail. The wilderness trail is not designed for bicyclists, but hiking boots are more than welcome. “It’s in a wilderness area, and our mandate in those areas is to promote a primitive and unconfined type of experience,” said Gabe Howe, executive director for the Siskiyou Mountain Club, which has been working on the trail. “This is a primitive path. There are going to be a few logs down, there are going to be some brushy sections. With that, we’ve put in a tremendous amount of work into it the last couple of years.” The 30-mile trail is described as a route of “high ridges, wide banks and steep canyons,” on the Siskiyou

Mountain Club website. The first 22 miles or so of the trail is high above the river, Howe said, but the final eight miles offer decent access. The trail is in an area that was burned in the 2002 Biscuit fire and the 2017 Chetco Bar fire, so hikers should watch for falling snags, according to the U.S. Forest Service website. To reach the trail from Medford, drive to Grants Pass and then take Highway 199 about 18 miles to Selma. Turn right at the yellow flashing light to get onto Illinois River Road (County Road 5070). That road becomes U.S. Forest Service Road 4103. The last few miles of road are pretty rough and narrow, with plenty of potholes. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. See siskiyoumountainclub.org/ or fs.usda. gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/ recarea/?recid=70554.

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Redwoods National and State Parks

By Damian Mann Mail Tribune

A two-hour-plus drive from Medford puts you squarely in one of the most spectacular getaways in Oregon — the towering spires of ancient redwood forests. The last northern stands of redwoods are located at the southern end of Oregon, and they are close to many parks and recreational activities. Best of all during our scorching summers, the redwoods offer a shady, cool retreat. The best way to get to the redwoods is to travel west on Highway 199, which dips into Northern California.

are in place. For instance, the Alfred A. Loeb State Park campground in Brookings is closed, but the trails among the trees are open. For those who want a serene adventure, there are plenty of easy hiking trails just off Highway 199, including Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. A little south of Jedediah is the Boy Scout Tree Trail, which is MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO kid friendly. Just south of Crescent City is A visitor gawks at a monstrous redPrairie Creek Redwoods State wood in the Ruth Perry Hatton Grove Park, which includes Newton at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a This year most of the groves scenic drive off Highway 101 that are accessible, though some boasts numerous trails among COVID-related restrictions giant groves.

In Oregon, you can immerse yourself in the redwoods experience along the Oregon Redwoods Trail southeast of Brookings. To access the trail, turn off Highway 101 at Winchuck River Road, make a right at Peavine Ridge Road and follow it a few miles to the trailhead. For the more adventuresome, try the 9-mile Redwood Nature Trail. To access the trail, head north of Brookings about 10 miles on Highway 101 and take County Road 784, or North Bank Road, to Forest Road 1376. This trail is located 0.5 miles north of Alfred A. Loeb Oregon State Park.

Sky Lakes Wilderness Pilot Rock By Kaylee Tornay

By Kris Henry

Mail Tribune

The Sky Lakes Wilderness Area takes in three major lake basins as it stretches along the crest of the Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park on the north to Highway 140 in the south: Seven Lakes, Sky Lakes and Blue Canyon basins. Use of the 113,849acre wilderness is heavy in the three main lake basins, which are popular fishing, hiking and PHOTO BY LARRY TURNER camping destinations. Mosquitoes Hikers cool off in Blue Lake in the Sky Lakes Wilderness Area. can be horrendous during the summer among the most chemically pure water of but often clear by September. all lakes on the globe. All of Southern Oregon seems on display Most of the area’s lakes, some stocked when viewed from the rugged summit of yearly with trout, are set against a backdrop Mount McLoughlin, with an of tall trees, including Shasta red elevation of 9,495 feet, and fir, western white pine, mountain extends northward into Sky hemlock and lodgepole pine. Lakes’ broad plateau-like The Pacific Crest Trail traverses ridges, dotted with many about 35 miles of the wilderness, wilderness lakes. following ridgelines high above The Sky Lakes Wildermost of the lakes. ness contains more than The 1888-inscribed “Waldo 200 bodies of water, from Tree,” at the southeast shore of creeks to ice-cold springs Island Lake, is a draw for a historiand scores of clear lakes that warm enough cally minded visitors, as is the opportunity for swimming in summer. Several of the to hike along the route of an 1860s-1890s lakes, such as Alta and Natasha, were found military wagon road, on the Twin Ponds through a 1980-’90s EPA study to have Trail.

What the journey up Pilot Rock lacks in length, at just about 3 miles out and back, it more than makes up for in views and excitement. Rising 570 feet above the surrounding landscape near the Siskiyou Summit, Pilot Rock has long served as a navigational aid for travelers. To reach the trailhead, consider a high-clearance vehicle because of the rocky access road. Follow I-5 south to the Mt. Ashland exit at milepost 6. Follow Route 99 south for approximately 2.4 miles. Turn left at the BLM sign that reads “Pilot Rock Road MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO 40-2E-33.0.” The top of Pilot Rock offers majestic views of the CasStay left at the cade-Siskiyou National Monument and Soda Mountain first intersection Wilderness. and turn right at the second intersection. After 2.1 miles on this bumpy road, you’ll reach a former quarry that now serves as the trailhead parking lot, elevation 4,909 feet. At the far end of the parking lot is the trailhead sign. Hike on the old road for about three-quarters of a mile until you see a sign for the Pacific Crest Trail. Pilot Rock stands at the intersection of three distinct regions: the Cascades to the north, the Siskiyous to the south and west, and the Great Basin to the east. You’ll find traces of all three in the trees along this trail, from Douglas fir to Ponderosa pine and incense cedar to juniper. This section of the trail is an easy hike, gaining about 200 feet in elevation. The Pilot Rock trail follows the PCT for about 300 yards. At the next junction, follow the BLM sign for Pilot Rock. The trail here begins to climb quite steeply. Many people end their hike at the base of Pilot Rock. To reach the summit, the final ascent requires a steep scramble up a narrow rock chute, so only experienced hikers with good footwear should attempt it.

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a ravine on No. 9. Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 holes, $25/$17. 541482-4311; oakknollgolf.org Quail Point, Medford: A shorter course that is long on character. Greens are quick with subtle breaks, and holes that wrap around a hill allow for a variety of shots. Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 holes, $32/$20. 541857-7000; quailpointgolf.com Stewart Meadows, Medford: Gem of a layout, suitable for all levels. Easy to walk but provides challenges with creeks and/or ponds on six holes and plenty of bunkers. Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 holes, $30/$20. 541-770-6554; stewartmeadowsgolf. com

By Tim Trower Mail Tribune

The Rogue Valley features several appealing public golf courses that cover all levels of ability. Here’s a rundown (other rates available for juniors, seniors, twilight):

18 Holes Centennial, Medford: High-end course with open landscape, few trees and several water hazards. Greens are true, fairways well maintained. Longest course in the area. Weekend rates (without cart): All day, $61; 9 holes, $34. 541-773-4653; centennialgolfclub.com Eagle Point, Eagle Point: Top-notch layout with a variety of hole designs and in optimum condition. Front nine more open and flat, back nine heads into the woods a bit. Plenty of test. Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9

Par 3 Bear Creek, Medford: Par 29, with two par 4s of about 300 yards. Great for juniors, beginners, walkers and MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO for short-game work. Now has a disc A golfer tees off at Centennial Golf Course in Medford. course. Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 holes, $16/$13. 541-773-1822; golfholes, $50/$25. 541-826-8225; resor- $40/$20. 541-830-4653; stoneridge- bearcreek.com tateaglepoint.com golfcourse.com Laurel Hill, Central Point: Par 31, Stone Ridge, Eagle Point: Lots of with four par 4s ranging from 265 to upgrades under new management. Nine holes 310 yards. Lots of trees and doglegs Oak Knoll, Ashland: Municipal course. prevent them from being drivable. Diverse track with plenty of elevation change and several elevated tees, which Mostly straightforward holes to Weekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 is always fun. Away from the bustle. start, then finishes with tough uphill holes, $23/$17. 541-855-7965; laurelWeekend rates (without cart): 18⁄9 holes, approach on No. 8 and a tee shot over hillgolf.com

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Mountain Wilderness to the south, the Shasta Valley and Mount Shasta farther south, and Mount Ashland and the Siskiyou Crest to the west. Another great way to see the monument is from the top of Pilot Rock. The steep summit trail is about 1 mile from the parking area and gains approximately 808 feet in elevation. The final few feet takes a bit of athleticism. From

By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

From relatively easy walks to strenuous climbs, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument offers many options for visitors. One of the easiest hikes is to Hobart Bluff, a short side trip off the Pacific Crest Trail that provides panoramic views of the Rogue Valley, east into the Klamath Basin, Mount McLoughlin to the north and the Siskiyous to the west. It’s just under 15 miles up Highway 66 from the south Ashland freeway exit to where you turn right onto Soda Mountain Road for about 3.5 miles. The parking lot is right on the PCT, and there’s even a vault toilet. Head north from the parking area; the roundtrip is 3 miles. If you head south on the PCT from the same parking area, you’re in for another treat. Within the monument

the summit, hikers can see Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains and Mount McLoughlin. Follow Route 99 south from the Mount Ashland exit for about 2.4 miles. Turn left at Pilot Rock Road 40-2E33.0. Stay left at the first fork and stay right at the second split. After 2.1 miles on this bumpy road, you’ll reach the parking lot.

PHOTO BY LEE JUILLERAT

A hiker takes in the view from Hobart Bluff in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

is the Soda Mountain Wilderness Area, an ecological mosaic where Oregon’s eastern desert meets towering fir forests. The heart of the wilderness is the 5,720-foot-high Boccard Point, where the Great Basin meets the Klamath, Siskiyou and Cascade ranges. The PCT follows an old road recently restored as a trail to Boccard Point, a rocky outcrop with expansive views, including the remote regions of the Soda

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Emigrant Lake Mail Tribune

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MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

Jackie Auchard and her son Levi, of Medford, paddle their boards at Emigrant Lake.

planning on camping, you’d better plan ahead. Jackson County Parks requires reservations for all camping this summer with a minimum 24 hours notice either by calling 541-7748183 or through online registration at jacksoncountyor.org/parks/ Camping/Emigrant-Lake. The lake is stocked every spring with rainbow trout, and it also contains bass and perch.

Cathedral Hills on the southeast edge of Grants Pass has miles of trails for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and horseback riders weaving through 400 acres of woodland. The various trails pass through dappled shade created by madrone, manzanita, Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine and climb to high ridgelines with panoramic views — but watch for poison oak. Three trailheads are off Espey Road, Skyway Drive and Walker Road. The Espey Road and Skyway Drive trailheads have outhouse restrooms, but no drinking water. Information boards at the trailheads have maps showing the maze of easy, more difficult and most difficult trails. Out on the trails, the various junctions are well marked, but pay close attention to avoid getting lost. Boxes that hold printed maps of the trail system are usually empty, so consider printing a map before you go

if you aren’t familiar with Cathedral Hills. The easy-rated Skycrest Loop trail off the Skyway Drive trailhead provides a relatively short outing with panoramic views at the top. The popular, easy-rated Outback Loop offers a long hike, trail run or horseback or mountain bike ride. Mountain bikers can avoid a long uphill stretch on the Outback Loop by going to the Espey Road trailhead and biking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, which yields a mix of uphill, flat and downhill terrain. At the Espey Road trailhead, the short Backside Loop provides a relatively easy introduction to mountain biking with a gradual uphill, followed by a fun downhill. The whole Cathedral Hills trail system is a mix of single-track trails with many areas where the trails widen to allow for side-by-side walking. The steep, narrow, most-difficult trails are not maintained for equestrian use. For more information, including a trail map, see blm.gov/visit/ cathedral-hills.

Creek-to-Crest Trail By Damian Mann Mail Tribune

Summer is a great time to tackle all or part of the Creek-to-Crest Trail, which starts in Ashland’s Lithia Park and ends at the top of Mount Ashland. The trail covers about 26 miles round trip and can be accomplished in about 12 hours, depending on how fast you go. Campsites are available a short distance from the Mt. Ashland Ski Area lodge. For less ambitious hikers, you could station a vehicle at the top of Mt. Ashland or at Lithia Park and do a shuttle hike up or down the trail. Or you could get somebody to drop you off at Mt. Ashland and hike down. Because this hike is part of Ashland’s extensive watershed trail system, there are many access points, including the White Rabbit Trailhead, Four Corners and Bull Gap. The trail starts along Ashland Creek and heads up the hill to Glenview Drive to the Ashland Loop Road. The city has

Cathedral Hills trail system

By Nick Morgan

The coronavirus may have closed the water slide, but Emigrant Lake County Park still has plenty of reasons for campers, boaters and anglers to get out this summer. With 1,467 acres, including 12 miles of lake frontage, Emigrant Lake offers swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking, boating, canoeing and kayaking. The park, on Highway 66 just east of Ashland, boasts a boat ramp, and campgrounds that can accommodate tents, trailers and RV campers. Tent camping fees run $22 a night, RV parking runs $35 a night with full hookups, and day-use fees run $4 per vehicle. There are more caveats this summer. Campground showers are closed for the same reason the water slide is closed, and if you’re

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MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO

Hikers make their way down the trail in the Ashland Watershed.

posted signs on the route, and you’ll be 1.5 miles into the hike at this point. Remain on the dirt road and you’ll see the White Rabbit Trailhead and parking area at 2.5 miles, and the Lamb Saddle at 4.5 miles. When you reach Four Corners, you’ve gone roughly 6 miles. Continue straight at 10 miles until you reach Bull Gap. Continue straight through Bull Gap and you’ll hit a steep stretch with switchbacks. At the lodge you are about 13 miles from Lithia Park and are at an elevation 6,600 feet. This is the end of the trail/ road system, though for a more difficult hike you could continue to the summit. A map is available from the city of Ashland at www.ashland.or.us/Page. asp?NavID=14071.

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Bay to the cape By David Smigelski Mail Tribune

One of the best getaways on the Southern Oregon coast is the area in and around Charleston, a locale that packs dozens of attractions — including amazing beaches — into a small area. From crabbing off the docks in the Charleston boat basin, to buying fresh tuna off the fishing boats, stocking up on oysters from nearby farms and digging clams in the mudflats, the area provides a seafood bonanza. If you want a scenic drive, the bayto-cape road from Charleston to Cape Arago is a jewel, passing by Sunset Bay State Park and the botanical gardens at Shore Acres State Park on the way to Cape Arago State Park. Shore Acres is worth a trip all by

itself. Perched on rugged cliffs high above the ocean, the park was once the estate of timber baron Louis Simpson. The lush gardens were planted with flowers from all over the world, and something is in bloom almost every day of the year, with a formal garden, a Japanese-style garden with a lily pond, and two rose gardens. The park includes a trail to a secluded ocean cove at Simpson Beach and skirts the cliffs, sometimes offering views of gray whales, porpoises and other sea life. At Cape Arago, beachcombers will love the south cove trail, which drops down to a sandy beach loaded with

tidepools where they can visit intertidal plants and animals. The park also features an overlook where visitors can take in views of Shell Island and Simpson Reef, part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge — one of the few places on the Oregon Coast where you can see thousands of marine mammals. If science is your thing, a visit to the Charleston Marine Life Science Center is in order, where you can see exhibit galleries that focus on coastal ecosystems, deep-water habitats, fisheries, marine mammals and ongoing marine research. To check hours, see www.charlestonmarinelifecenter.com.

MAIL TRIBUNE / DAVID SMIGELSKI

Simpson Beach is a secluded cove below Shore Acres State Park on Cape Arago. A winding path from the park leads to the beach, where you’ll generally be able to hear the commotion from thousands of seals and sea lions on nearby Simpson Reef.

Deadfall Lakes Trail By Tim Trower Mail Tribune

One of the most scenic hiking regions in Northern California, the Deadfall Lakes Basin comes at a relatively low expense of time and effort. The hike takes in expansive meadows that explode to life with an abundance of wildflowers. Two primary lakes — the middle and upper — are principle destinations, but a number of ponds and streams that feed Deadfall Creek greet those traversing the popular trail below Mount Eddy in the Klamath Mountains. The hike to the middle lake is considered easy, covering 6 miles roundtrip with only 400 feet of elevation change. The upper lake trip is moderate at 8 miles for the round trip and 940 feet of elevation gain.

Those who want to test themselves To get to Deadfall Meadow trailhead, the right. The trail is across the road. further — the payoff is spectacular take Road 17 for another 1.25 miles. Get more information at hikemtviews from an abandoned lookout There’s a steep descent and, at a hair- shasta.com under Trinity Divide in the atop Mount Eddy — can continue for pin turn, there’s a small parking lot on Trails dropdown. another 3.6 miles and 2,170 feet of climb. At the summit, an overpowering view of Mount Shasta attacks the senses. Two trailheads are available to gain entry, Parks Creek and Deadfall Meadow. The former is the most popular, as it follows the Pacific Crest Trail for 2.3 miles, but it is largely through forests and doesn’t afford great views, outside of some small meadows. The Deadfall Meadow route is shorter and steeper, but it ushers hikers along Deadfall Creek and through a large, scenic meadow. To get to the trailheads, go south on Interstate 5 to Exit 751, the Stewart Springs Road/Edgewood exit. Go left, under the freeway, then right on Old Track your reading online or Stage/Old 99. After about 200 yards, with the Beanstack Tracker take a left onto Stewart Springs. Go 4.7 app to win digital badges and prizes. miles until Forest Service Road 17 splits Check the JCLS online calendar off to the right. Take it to the Parks for fun virtual programs: Creek trailhead. book clubs, craft programs, trivia games, and more!

Register to pick up a free kit of hands-on activities from the library during the 2nd and 4th weeks of June, July, and August. Participants in all age groups are eligible for weekly prizes and grand prizes. Go to jcls.org/srp to sign up!

PHOTO BY LEE JUILLERAT

View of Middle and Lower Deadfall lakes from atop Mount Eddy.

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Klamath River By Tim Trower Mail Tribune

The Klamath River offers an array of attractions, from fishing to high-level rafting to camping, sightseeing and cultural and archaeological points of interest. The river flows 257 miles from Upper Klamath Lake, through the Cascade and Klamath mountains before emptying into the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. It is Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-largest river, after the Sacramento. The upper part of the river, mostly in Oregon starting at the J.C. Boyle Dam, was given wild and scenic designation in 1994. The Klamath is one of three rivers in the region and six in Oregon managed as

dry fly fishing, but there are also lure opportunities. Boat and bank fishing is plentiful, but wading options are limited. Rafting is popular on the river. It boasts beginner to expert stretches, with rapids that rank above Class IV, and there are lots of guides and outfitters to provide safe, exhilarating single and multiday trips. Camping, hunting and scenic touring are other popular activities, and the Bureau of Land Management operates several recreation sites. Those with a historical bent might enjoy the old ranches along the river, or come across a former stagecoach route that served the Klamath Basin and parts of California. The river canyon has spiritual significance, having been used by Native PHOTO BY LEE JUILLERAT American tribes for at least 7,000 years. There are also at least 40 prehistoric Klamath River kayakers enjoy a view of snow-covered Mount McLoughlin. sites in the canyon, including camps a wild rainbow trout fishery. It produces acidity. Fish generally range from 10 to and burial grounds. a genetically unique rainbow population 16 inches, with the occasional monster Get more information at blm.gov and because of its warm temperatures and eclipsing 20. The best success is with rivers.gov.

Lake of the Woods By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune

The upstairs bar at the high mountain Lake of the Woods Resort is the last phase of a 10-year, $3 million expansion that was unveiled to visitors this summer amid social-distancing restrictions. Its completion makes Lake of the Woods Resort, located off Highway 140 near the Jackson/Klamath County line, the crown jewel of south Cascades resorts, right down to the 12 microbrews on tap and second-floor views of the first-rate lake. The lake has long been a mecca for anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, boaters and stand-up paddleboarders. The lake sports very good fishing for rainbow trout and perch, and it does not get drawn down by irrigation like other reservoirs in the High Cascades. Boat rentals are available at the resort. Mountain bikers can pedal the roughly 7-mile High Lakes Trail between Lake of the Woods and Fish Lake, with the majority preferring to start at Lake of the Woods because of a downward assist from gravity. Swimming areas are also available. While the resort offers cabins for rent, most are taken. Campers can find spaces at Forest Service facilities at Aspen Point and Sunset campgrounds. To get to Lake of the Woods from the Rogue Valley, take Highway 62 east to Highway 140. Go south for almost 46 miles and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the access road to the lake on your right just over the county line.

MICHAEL MCCULLOUGH / FLICKR

Brown Mountain rises in the distance over Lake of the Woods.

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Lithia Park By Joe Zavala

Mail Tribune

Lithia Park was designated as one of the top 10 Great American Spaces by the American Planning Association in 2014, and you’re not likely to need to explore even a sliver of the 100-acre gem to understand why. Built by the Chautauqua Association in 1892 to “bring entertainment and culture to Southern Oregon,” Lithia Park’s organic layout is split by Ashland Creek and features the 104-year-old Enders Memorial Gazebo, two duck ponds, a Japanese garden, tennis/pickleball courts, a sandpit volleyball court, a playground and the Butler-Perozzi Fountain. There are picnic areas galore, and trails lead from the park all the way up to the MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO summit of Mount Ashland 13 miles away. Murray and Faby Campbell from Texas walk over Bird lovers flock to the park on a regular Lithia Creek in Lithia Park.

basis. And photographers will find endless places to frame shots of trees, wildflowers, water and wildlife. Explore the trees and plants of Lithia Park, dubbed the “Crown Jewel of Ashland” with the Lithia Park Trail Guide, which features maps, over 100 photographs and a self-guided tour. The guides are available for $5 at the Ashland Parks & Recreation Office, The Grove, 1195 E. Main St.; the Ashland Chamber of Commerce kiosk on the Plaza; and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce Office, 110 E. Main St. The is also an app — and lots more information about the park — on the city website at ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=16354 Lithia Park is open from dawn until 11:30 p.m. Only ADA-compliant service dogs are allowed in the park. To get there, head to the Plaza in downtown Ashland and hang a left on North Main Street before taking another right on Winburn Way.

Lost Creek Lake

By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune

Water recreation is an obvious attraction of this large, nearly 3,400-acre reservoir created by the construction of the dam with the same name in 1977. The impoundment holds approximately 315,000 acrefeet of water, prime for jet skiing, swimming, boating, wakeriding and other activities to enjoy the water. Trout and smallmouth bass COURTESY PHOTO fishing are perennial favorite The marina at Lost Creek Lake offers boat rentals. activities here. If you’re looking to mountain bike, try the which features mostly dirt single the lake, with smaller out-and18.7-mile Lost Creek Lake Trail, track and traces the perimeter of back sections for hikers.

The journey around the lake can take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to complete. It also connects to the 40-mile Rogue River Trail. For those looking for overnight accommodations, find a campsite at Joseph H. Stewart State Park, which offers more than 150 campsites with RV hookups, and 50 tent sites. Look for the various fruit and nut trees that Joseph Stewart and his son-in-law planted around the park when they bought the property in the 1880s. To get there, drive 37 miles northeast of Medford on Highway 62.

Mount McLoughlin By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune

The most common way that visitors enjoy Oregon’s sixth-highest peak is by using the 9.5-mile roundtrip hiking trail that takes you to the summit and back. You’ll want to budget your time generously — plan for an all-day trip to tackle the elevation gain of nearly 4,000 feet to the peak. From Medford, take Highway 140 east for MAIL TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO about 35.7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road U.S. Forest Service ranger Jackie Holm says as many 3661 (Four Mile Lake Road), and continue 2.4 as 100 people a day climb Mount McLoughlin in the miles to Forest Road 3650, and turn left to summer.

the trailhead. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass for parking. The Forest Service recommends travelers do their best to stick to the trail, though it can be hard to see at times above treeline. Blazed trees work as markers to help people find their way, and above treeline, piled rock cairns serve the same purpose. Avoid returning down the mountain on the cinder slope of the mountain, as it takes you farther away from the trail, leaving a rocky scramble across boulders back to it below the timberline. Those are just a few more reasons to give yourself plenty of time for completing this hike.

| Sunday, July 19, 2020 |

BLACK BiRD YOUR GO-TO PLACE FOR ALL YOUR SUMMERTIME GOODS! Fishing & Hunting License Camping Gear Tents, Coolers, Stoves, Sleeping Bags and Accessories Everything you need for a successful camping trip with the family!

Get your Fishing & Hunting License at Black Bird! Trout season now open!

Large Selection of Yeti and Hydroflask Bottles, Boots, Coolers & Accessories Stay hydrated & look cool while you’re at it!

Quality Fishing Gear!

Summer Wear for Men & Women Come check our large selection of Quality Work Wear. Dependable, quality clothing for any job that comes your way.

For All Your RV Needs Look no Further than The Black Bird!

Before you head to the lake, come by for all the fishing gear you need. Poles, Tackle, Nets and Bait!

SUP and Kayak Rentals at the Bird! Kayak and Paddle Boards for rent here at the Bird. Includes board, Paddle, Life Vest and Pump.

Summer Footwear for Men & Women Teva and Reef are just a few of the Great Sandals we carry here at the Bird.

Get Your Grill On!

No summer is complete without a good BBQ!

for 24 Hrs

Get a new Traeger Grill, we have the Pro Series and the Ironwood or how about a new Weber Genesis II? We have them here, plus more!

1810 W. Main St. Medford • 541-779-5431 “Open 8 Days A Week”

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Items limited to stock ~ Hurry In! • Photos for illustration only