Trail Talk – August 2014

There are many great hiking trails to choose from in the Jacksonville area, but when the daytime temperatures are in the 90’s or higher, it becomes more of a challenge avoiding the heat. Here are some suggested hikes to keep the heat at bay:

If you’re a 7:00am hiker or runner, the trail you choose probably doesn’t matter but this makes for an excellent time to hit three trails in Forest Park where it may be too hot later in the morning: North Canyon Vista, Upper Granite, and Naversen Family trails offer great views of deep canyons and the Rogue Valley.

For hikers waiting until 9:00am and looking for comfortable, shady trails, check-out the Beekman Woods trails or Sarah Zigler Trail in combination with the Britt Ridge trail in the Jacksonville Woodlands Trail System.

If you find yourself hiking later in the morning or afternoon when the temperature has spiked and is not very pleasant and COOL is what you need, the Forest Park has several deep canyon trails.

Depending on how far you care to hike, start at the trailhead sign for Norling Trail in parking lot P-6. (After crossing the creek, go left on Norling Trail.) Stay on the Norling Trail until it intersects the Canyon Falls trail on your left (about 1/2 mile.) Note: Norling Trail will cross Reservoir Road about half way to the Canyon Falls trail.

On many days, you’ll notice cool air coming down the canyon air shed at this junction. Stay on Canyon Falls for the next 1/2 mile until you reach the sign for Shade Creek Trail on your left, which takes you another 3/4 mile. At this point, you have some choices to consider, including retracing your hike or going back to the beginning of Shade Creek Trail, turning left to parking lot P-3 and following Canyon Vista Trail 3/4 mile to its junction with Jackson Creek Trail (on your right) and following this for 1 1/4 miles to its junction with Canyon Falls Trail. At this point, go left on Canyon Falls which will take you back via Norling Trail to parking lot P-6 where your hike began.

Maps and trail brochures for the Woodlands trails are located at the Rich Gulch Trailhead, the Sarah Ziegler Trailhead in the Peter Britt Gardens, and the CC Beekman Arboretum. Trail maps are also located in the Historic Beekman Bank Kiosk at 3rd and California Streets. Maps of both trail systems may also be picked up at Jacksonville Visitors Center next to the Post Office.