The recent excitement ATA generated from our May hike on the proposed Jack-Ash and Applegate Ridge Trails hasn’t blotted-out our excitement about the hikes we lead on currently-established Applegate trails. It’s now my turn as hike leader on July 10, 2016 and I’m going up Mt. Elijah, via the Sturgis Fork and Boundary trails… and I can’t wait. Come join me! It’s one of my favorite hikes in the Applegate.

We’ll start by going up Sturgis Fork, but we won’t have gone a dozen feet on the trail before we’ll marvel at the wildflowers, both in beauty and in numbers. You won’t believe how many flowers you’ll see on this hike, given temperatures between now and then. We’ll hike fairly steeply a mile or so up to the Boundary Trail, where we’ll turn right onto fairly level ground before we start uphill again, arriving at a junction in the trail where we can look down on Bigelow Lake, bejeweled with water lilies. Then, we’ll hike through the woods and on up the rocky peak of Mt. Elijah, and be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Siskiyous, Marbles, and on out to the ocean if it’s a clear day! If the temperatures aren’t too hot, we’ll eat lunch there…if it’s too hot, we’ll just drink in the view, and then descend to the forest and lunch in the shade.

This is a great opportunity to hike Mt. Elijah. If you want to join us, meet at the Applegate Store at 15095 Hwy. 238 on Sunday, July 10, at 9:00am. Wear appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water and something to eat. Please leave your pets at home.

For additional information contact me at dicoog@gmail.com.