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Photo taken in August 2008
The above picture was taken from Tolman Creek Road in front of the house near the YMCA that usually has many geese in their yard and also features a small pond. The angle was my way of greening up Grizzly Peak which is pretty brown this time of year.
Photo taken in August 2008
On the Friday of Labor Day weekend we decided to visit this waterfall since we hadn’t previously. The drive was very easy and very beautiful. We were on paved road for everything but the last few feet.
Amazingly enough, we were the only ones there! That is one of the things I love about Southern Oregon. Places that would have hundreds of people elsewhere are empty, or nearly so, here. While not as spectacular as Silver Falls near Salem, this place is still wonderful. We enjoyed a lunch and a soak in the freezing cold water.
Note that you may want warmer clothes than what the temperature in the parking lot would seem to indicate. It was over 90 degrees in the parking lot on the day we went, but I’m guessing it wasn’t more than 75 degrees once we hiked the half mile down to the falls. You can feel the temperature drop with each step you take on the downward, swichbacking path.
To get to the falls from the Rogue Valley take Highway 62 east from Medford to the Union Creek area. The road splits with a right turn taking cars off to Crater Lake. Don’t turn. Continue straight on Highway 230 north toward Diamond Lake. At mile marker 6 turn right on Forest Road 6530. These roads are clearly marked, and there are signs to National Creek Falls several places along the way so don’t worry. Stay on Road 6530 for 1.3 miles; bear left at a fork in the road to stay on 6530. Continue about 2.5 miles to a junction with Road 300. Turn right and the parking lot will be immediately in front of you.
You can make this your only stop on a short day trip if you get a late start, or if you get an early start you can make it one stop on a trip to or from Diamond Lake, Crater Lake, or the Rogue River Gorge. Note that once the snows hit you won’t be able to drive on Road 6530.
Photo taken in August 2008
The above view is from Hillcrest Street near the three-way corner that also intersects with Glenview and Vista. Ashland Springs Hotel can be clearly seen to the right. On the left is part of a Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana). The stone sculpture of sorts is something you don’t see everyday. The sky is smoky from California wildfires.
Photo taken in September of 2007
Pilot Rock isn’t technically in Ashland. It is on the California/Oregon border just south of Ashland and can be seen from many vantage points in Ashland. The landmark can also be climbed. The views from the top are spectacular on a clear day. One can see Mt. Ashland (in the background above), Mt. Shasta, and much more.
Getting there can be tricky and climbing it can be even worse. I don’t recommend the climb for kids or for those not in decent shape. To get there get off at the Mt. Ashland Exit on I-5 (Exit 6). Get on the east side of the freeway heading south on Old Highway 99 (which doesn’t resemble a highway anymore and may even turn into dirt and rocks if memory serves). Make a left just beyond the crest onto a likely unmarked Pilot Rock Road 40-2E-33. The road immediately splits. Take the left. Drive about 2 miles before turning left. Turn right onto Road 41-2E-3 (again, probably not marked) where there is a large plateau area. After another half mile you will keep right when the road splits. Another .2 miles later you will cross the Pacific Crest Trail. There is a small parking area on the right.
After parking you begin your Pilot Rock ascent by walking across the road and getting on the Pacific Crest Trail for about 900 feet. Stay right and you’ll eventually see Pilot Rock and be able to take it from there. When you get to the rock itself, stay left against the wall.
Make sure to bring water and wear high tops or your shoes will fill up with small rocks. Bug repellent is also a good thing to bring along in certain seasons. The above lizard lives off of the little guys.
Photo taken in September of 2007
A pilot over Pilot Rock–get it? 😉
Photo taken in August 2008
A scene from the playground at Walker Elementary School in May of 2007. The sun was beginning to set and the clouds were looking most unusual.