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Appeal Tribune Wednesday, January 18, 2017 3B 10 adventures at expanded Cascade-Siskiyou monument ZACH URNESS STATESMAN JOURNAL If you live in the Willamette Valley, there’s a good chance you’ve only experi- enced the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through news stories. When President Barack Obama ex- panded the Southern Oregon monument last Thursday, most of the reporting fo- cused on the pro and con arguments, ref- erencing the landscape only as an ab- stract land of rich biodiversity where mountain ranges collide. And while Cascade-Siskiyou is unique — and the only monument in the country established specifically to protect biodi- versity — there’s plenty to do there as well. If the news coverage has piqued your interest — or you just happen to be vis- iting nearby Ashland — here are 10 great adventures in and near the monument. The trips here include landmarks that are part of the original and expanded monument footprint. Climb Pilot Rock The sentinel guarding Oregon’s bor- der against invaders from the south has long been a landmark to pioneers. Visi- ble for miles from the south and east, it is the second Oregon landmark, after Mount McLoughlin, that people notice as they head up I-5 from California. The immense volcanic plug offers one of the more thrilling scramble climbs in the state. Ropes aren’t re- quired, but are a comfort when pulling yourself up a steep-ish rock gully, to reach a spectacular view that looks all the way to Mount Shasta. An easier hike stops at the rock’s base. The trip is 3.6 miles round-trip and of moderate diffi- culty until you reach the start of the scramble. Hike Hobart Bluff A sweet and easy hike through mead- ows of springtime wildflowers high- lights this trek to wide-open Hobart Bluff at 5,502 feet. The hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail and a well-marked spur to reach its destination on a 2.6-mile round-trip. Hobart Bluff itself is a large forma- tion of basalt cliffs rising above a small lake of the same name. Contact the Ash- land Outdoor Store 541-488-1202 or see their website for more information. Fish rare trout at Jenny Creek One of the prettiest little streams you’ll ever come across is home to rare redband trout. “They are very colorful, with splashy red sides, as their name implies, but rarely grow over 16 inches,” wrote Mark Freeman, outdoors reporter for the “Medford Mail Tribune.” “Those few that stalk redbands usually fish for them with dry flies or nymphs in this strictly flies-and-lures-only creek.” BOB WICK / BLM Fabulous views abound across the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. Even if you never catch a fish, just en- joying the stream’s waterfalls and crys- tal clear swimming holes is enough. Siskiyou National Monument for infor- mation (cascadesiskiyou@gmail.com) or take a tour with Main Street Adventure Tours in Ashland, 541-482-9852. Ski or snowshoe Buck Prairie PCT backpacking The Buck Prairie sno-park sits on the edge of the monument, about 25 miles east of Ashland. It’s a jumping-off point for winter sports, accessing 17 miles of ungroomed trail loops. One of the best routes climbs up to a lookout tower where excellent views of Hyatt Lake and Mount McLoughlin can be had. But good views abound. The Pacific Crest Trail winds 19 miles through the national monument, as read- ers of the best-seller “Wild” know well. The area was a critical juncture in the odyssey of Cheryl Strayed. Backpack the segment yourself, through fir forests, oak groves and can- yons home to assortments of butterflies and the spotted owl. Greensprings Inn Boccard Point This easy 2.2-mile trail leads to a spiny outcrop with views of the Soda Mountain Wilderness, Klamath Basin, Cascade Range and the Siskiyou Moun- tains, said Gabe Howe, executive direc- tor of the Siskiyou Mountain Club based in Ashland. “I’ve found a number of obsidian ar- rowheads in this area (and left them),” he said. To reach it, drive to the terminus of Baldy Creek Road and look for a small path leading southeast. Scotch Creek Hike Grizzly Peak This popular hotel and restaurant is surrounded by the monument, and visi- tors often explore the forest and ridges surrounding it. “Many road cyclists make their way uphill on weekends to dine at the Inn,” said Joseph Vaile, executive director of KS Wild, an environmental group that supported monument expansion. Horseback riding The monument offers ideal terrain for horseback riding. In fact, Dave Wil- lis, the biggest supporter of the monu- ment’s creation and expansion, travels the terrain exclusively by horseback. Contact the Friends of the Cascade- Grizzly Peak was named in honor of a famous bear named Old Reelfoot, the last known Southern Oregon (or Califor- nia) grizzly, who roamed the region for 50 years before being shot by a 17-year- old hunter in 1890 — or so the legend goes. The hike up this scenic mountain isn’t a bear, but it’s not easy either, on a 5.2 mile lollypop loop with multiple scenic views of nearby Ashland and the Rogue Valley. The trail begins in forest, passes a nondescript summit and then features wonderful views for a mile and a half of Emigrant Lake, Mount Ashland, Mount Shasta and Pilot Rock. " "- # #& && '#,& /#+& "- #! VLOYHUWRQDSSHDOFRP +&" & #& /#+& ".* , Howe said this tributary of the Klam- ath River grows some of the most mag- nificent ponderosa pines he’s seen, in- cluding some that reach 8 feet in diame- ter. “The forest here feels primeval, and it has some relatively untrammeled qual- ities,” he said. “The recesses of this drainage can be accessed on the Lone Pi- lot Trail.” Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for eight years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. 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