10 Spring 2012 Applegater
Applegate Trails Association is a year old
BY kEN chAPmAN AND DAViD cALAhAN
One of the joys of living in the
Applegate is how quickly we can be
enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.
One year ago, four Applegaters—David
Calahan, Michelle LaFave, Tom Carstens
and Judi Stratton—decided that there
was a need for more hiking trails in
our valley. They were motivated by the
Siskiyou Upland Trails Association when
they reopened the Sterling Mine Ditch
Trail and proposed the Jack-Ash Trail
from Ashland to Jacksonville. The group
decided to explore the possibility of
creating the Applegate Ridge Trail (ART).
The ART would run primarily on Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) lands along
the northern rim of the Applegate Valley
from Jacksonville and the Jack-Ash Trail
to Grants Pass.
The proposed route has spectacular
views of the Applegate Valley, the Rogue
Valley and all of the big, beautiful
mountains that surround us. While much
of the route is on existing roads and trails
that have been open to multiple use for
years, the Applegate Trails Association
(ATA) is particularly excited about two
portions of the trail that are appropriate
for a nonmotorized designation. The first
section starts near Sterling Creek Road
and goes west across the bald face of the
ridge on the north side of Bishop Creek
and Woodrat Mountain. From there, a
hiker can see Mount Ashland, the Red
Buttes and get a bird’s-eye view of Ruch.
The other potentially nonmotorized
section is on the boundary of the proposed
Wellington Wild Lands, a 6,000-acre
area encompassing Wellington Butte that
has never been logged or disturbed by
significant human activity. Hiking the
ART above the Wild Lands has incredible
views of Forest Creek, Humbug Creek,
Thompson Creek, Grayback Mountain
and Mount Isabelle.
A lot has happened since our founding
group met for the first time. All of the
necessary organizational work for the
formation of the ATA has been completed,
including filing for nonprofit status.
Reviewing the detailed ART proposal was
the main topic of our last meeting with
the Medford BLM. Adoption of other
potential hiking, biking and equestrian
trails was also discussed. The groundwork
has been laid for a long-lasting, mutually
beneficial partnership between
ATA and both the Medford and
Grants Pass BLM offices.
Board members and our
growing group of volunteers
have taken numerous hikes to
determine the route of the ART
and potential connector trails.
Additionally, other trails in our
valley have been scouted to see
Hike with the ATA to Hinkle Lake on June 30, 2012.
whether they might be considered
to be part of the trail network
some of our valley’s trails on your own.
supported by the ATA. The trails identified
What can you do? The first step is
to date include the Mule Mountain Trail easy. Just getting outdoors can do wonders
and the Hinkle Lake Trail. Both of these for your overall health. We also invite
trails are most appropriate for hiking, you to join us on a hike or take a hike
biking and equestrian use and deserve our on your own. Volunteering or financially
support and protection.
supporting the ATA is also great for your
Visit our website
mental well-being. The one-year-old is
The best way to stay updated about already walking and we invite you to walk
ATA activities is by visiting our website: with us.
www.applegatetrails.org. It has a wealth
Ken Chapman • 541-846-6791
of information about our organization and
Board Member, ATA
maps showing the approximate route of the
ken@applegatetrails.org
ART. Check out the regularly scheduled
hikes on the calendar and the growing list
David Calahan • 541-899-1226
of day-hikes on the hike page. The detailed
Board Chairman, ATA
day hike descriptions allow one to discover
david@applegatetrails.org
Are you missing
APPLEGATE TRAILS ASSOCIATION—GUIDED HIKE SCHEDULE FOR 2012
the regular “Applegate Outback”
by Bob Fischer and
“Dirty fingernails and all”
by Sioux Rogers?
See them online
at www.applegater.org!
Spring is in the air—let’s go for a hike! Additional details about each hike can be found on our website calendar. Any changes
or cancelations will also be posted here: www.applegatetrails.org. The distances below are estimates, and the ratings of E (Easy), M
(Moderate) and D (Difficult) are merely guides—one person’s “moderate” may be “difficult” for another. All hikes have elevation
changes. Remember to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water. Please leave your pets at home unless otherwise stated.
Check out the website “hike” page for the growing list of personal day hikes.
For more information, contact any of the Applegate Trails Association board members via the website or call David Calahan,
chairman and frequent hike leader, at 541-899-1226.
“Please send
in a few
dollars to
support the
GATER.
I love to
read it and
chew it,
and it was
my favorite
paper
for potty
training.”
Barney
McGee
DATE
HIKE
DISTANCE
RATING
May 6
Applegate Ridge Trail above Balls Branch Bunny Meadows staging area
(Humbug Creek tributary)
3 miles
E to M
June 2
Mule Mountain Trail
Ruch Plaza
5 miles
M to D
June 30
Hinkle Lake
Ruch Plaza
4 to 6 miles
M to D
July 15
Steve Fork to Sucker Creek Gap in the
Red Buttes Wilderness
Applegate Store (gravel lot)
6 miles
D
Aug 19
Clover and Enchanted Forests Trails,
Wine and Dine at Schmidt Family
Vineyards after the hike
Applegate Store (gravel lot)
4 miles
M
Sept 7
Isabelle Spring Trail
Bunny Meadows staging area
2 or 4 miles
E
Oct 21
Car Tour on Applegate Ridge Trail via
Savage Creek (off Rogue River Highway,
Grants Pass)
Applegate Store (gravel lot)
60 miles
E
Nov 2
Wellington Wild Lands shuttle-thru hike,
off trail
Bunny Meadows staging area
3 miles
D
Bob Thomas Automotive
celebrates 15 years
BY SALLY ButtShAw
Bob Thomas Automotive, Inc. is
a full-service automotive repair facility
serving the Rogue and Applegate Valleys.
They are celebrating 15 years in business
on May 12, and will be offering free lunch
and giveaways.
Their friendly and knowledgeable
staff will help you get your vehicle running
perfectly. With all of the technicians being
ASE-certified, some as master technicians,
you can rest assured your vehicle is in good
hands. They are proud of their reputation
of professionalism and honesty. Stop in
and experience the advantages that their
independently owned service center can
offer you.
Bob and his wife Lori opened their
business in 1997. Bob had prior experience
working for a local automotive dealership,
and Lori had a background in banking and
business employment. Now she takes care
MEET AT 9 AM
of all back-office operations.
They have fleet business capabilities
and a recently added 6,000-square-foot
fleet shop. With twelve bays and seven
technicians, they will keep your fleet
of vehicles in stellar condition. Special
pricing is available for companies with
more than five vehicles.
For more information, be sure
to check out their website at www.
bobthomasautomotive.com. Bob Thomas
Automotive is located at 535 Rossanley
Drive in Medford near the intersection of
Sage Road. The phone number is 541-
734-3743.
Call them for any questions regarding
your vehicle’s maintenance and operation.
They will be happy to help. And they offer
shuttle service and a senior discount.
Sally Buttshaw
541-646-8418