Trail Talk – March 2019

“Take care of the resource and the resource will take care of you.” This mantra that connects us to our environment resonates loudly as we look forward to a springtime of blooms and budding life. Winter’s icy grip will soon be a distant memory and our legs will take us out and about into the wild areas of our region. New vistas, new challenges, new relationships: all on the horizon, all in the days ahead. The pussy willows and alder catkins of February will become the shooting stars, red bells, and fawn lilies of March. Trails will dry and harden. Warmer afternoons and longer days will invite us to explore farther afield. It is a season of renewal.

As stewards of our wild places, we have an obligation to be aware of our responsibility in this relationship. The trails we all enjoy are living, evolving entities. The useful lifespan of a trail is a consequence of our actions. Care should be taken to minimize our impact. Responsible trail etiquette asks that we stay on trails without cutting turns and switchbacks, and that we maintain our line of travel in the center of the trail to avoid breaking down edges and causing erosion. Respect trail signs that specify what usage a trail is designed for: hikers and bikers on “multi-use” trails, hikers on “hiking only” trails, and reserve the designated biking trails for bicycle usage. Horseback riders should be especially aware of which trails are open to them: during recent wet weather, a rider ignored clear signage and destroyed large segments of trail tread in Forest Park.

Recent jaunts through the Woodlands trail system renewed my perspective on what folks in Jacksonville have right at their fingertips. A rainy day excursion on Liz’s Loop reminded me of just how close “out there” is for local citizens. Moving from forested slopes into open savanna is a great reminder of the diversity of our wild places. We should take also joy in the rushing waters of Jackson Creek along Zigler Trail; the hot, dry weather is not far away.

Across the highway in Forest Park, increasing numbers of visitors are finding their way into the upper reaches of the parklands. The challenging Knobcone Pine Trail, so long promised, is now open and leads to a grove of its namesake trees and also provides a “Grandview” of the Siskiyou Crest sweeping from Mt. Ashland to Red Buttes. (Yes, Toto, you can see California from here!) The challenge of this hiking trail is in the 104 steps leading up steep gullies from the N end of Siskiyou Tr. to an eventual crest before winding over to equally challenging Pipsissewa Tr. Much of the trail is in the old early 60s fire scar, and as one tunnels through old-growth manzanita on equally old logging scars, the surprise of giant pine stumps left from old timber sales and glory holes excavated by gold prospectors remind us of much of our history in this area.

On another note, the new Forest Park maps are available at City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, various merchants, and kiosks at parking areas P1 and P2. Happy Trails.