The Applegate Trails Association (ATA) started at the Ruch Library in 2011 by local outdoor enthusiasts who desired a hiking trail void of any motorized vehicles. Thinking we could utilize the surrounding public lands, the Applegate Ridge Trail, the “ART,” was born.
ATA’s mission is to create and preserve non-motorized trails in the Applegate Valley, providing recreational and educational access to public lands while protecting our natural resources.
On the northern side of the Siskiyou Mountains rise a corridor of foothills separating the Rogue and Applegate Valleys (https://www.applegaterogue.org). This proved to be the obvious place for a new upland trail from the Grants Pass Cathedral Hills Trail system to the Jacksonville Forest Park with an additional spur to Sterling Creek and the Jack-Ash Trail. BLM’s checkerboard ownership made plotting a trail difficult. But surprisingly, stellar volunteers figured it out with very few private land interruptions. Phase I, the spectacular 5.5-mile East ART, was completed last year.
While waiting years to work through the BLM process and establish ourselves with the agency, ATA led numerous hikes to familiarize folks with the existing “trails” around the area, acquired grants to construct new trail, improved four pseudo trailheads along the ART and re-constructed the loop trails at Cantrall Buckley Park.
Once again, we are in the process stage. Phase II will link the East ART to the Jacksonville Forest Park and Humbug Creek. Our early Christmas list includes donations for normal operating costs and trail construction, board members and a multi-media “specialist.”
To learn how you can help, contact David Calahan, 541-899-1226 or visit www.applegatetrails.org.