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Ney Springs Creek and Faery Falls trek

You can dip out of the smoke and under the vine maples at Ney Springs Creek near Lake Siskiyou, Calif., for a day of waterfalls and mossy turn-of-the-century ruins.

Mount Ashland: Grouse Gap to Siskiyou Peak

Whether you are looking for long views, a moonlit path or bright waves of wildflowers to put your senses on full alert, you will find a compelling experience on the Pacific Crest Trail near Mount Ashland.

Dunlop Trail offers much in a short distance

Your kids won't be asking "How much farther?" when you take them to Dunlop Meadows, because the boggy meadows and dilapidated 1920s cabins are close to the trailhead. Talking your kids into walking down the S-curves to the South Fork of Little Butte Creek (1.5 miles) — well, that could be challenging.

South Gate Meadows on Mount Shasta

Climb, descend, climb, descend, climb. Essentially, that's the formula for a 1.5-mile hike to South Gate Meadows on Mount Shasta. A few years ago, the trail was little more than a well-used way trail. Today, it's an obvious rock-lined path that dips and climbs through a blasted volcanic landscape, interrupted by spongy spring-fed meadows, brief wildflower displays and a grove of mountain hemlock and Shasta red fir.

100 miles of the PCT closed in Northern California

Wildfires burning in Northern California have closed about 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Hiking Grizzly Peak is like visiting a friend

The BLM has been busy on Grizzly Peak this year. The road to the trailhead has been smoothed and graveled, and a winter's worth of blow downs have been cleared from the trail. The long winter brought down snags from the 2002 East Antelope fire and wrenched live trees out of the ground, leaving craters where their roots used to be.

PCT near Pilot Rock makes a good after-work hike

Long summer evenings make it possible to head out for some after-work hikes. One that's nearby is the section of the Pacific Crest Trail just to the west of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Despite easy access, this stretch of trail off the Old Siskiyou Highway doesn't get a lot of foot traffic.

A climbers' and hikers' paradise

It is midday along a trail bordered by desert grass, sagebrush, bitterbrush, ponderosa pines and junipers. Above, spires of tan and buff rock pierce the cobalt sky like Stone Age knives. Here and there the spires seem stony clumps of dried blood — a burgundy counterpoint to the dominant light-orange. Below, a river curves snakelike over smooth stones, small curls of froth flashing in the bright light.

Challenging Bull Gap Trail is mostly snow-free

The snow has finally retreated from most of the Bull Gap Trail. A week ago, the morel mushrooms were pushing up through soft, wet ground on this steep approach to Mount Ashland.

Pacific Crest Trail hikes offer variety

Short hikes from the Pacific Crest Trail crossing at Soda Mountain Road reveal the many faces of spring in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Head north to Hobart Bluff for sunny exposures that inspire compressed waves of spring color. Head south toward Pilot Rock for squishy meadows cut with freshets from melting snow fields and carpets of tender seedlings on mud.

Big trees and rushing water on Big Pine Trail

Big trees and rushing water entice hikers onto the trails of Taylor Creek Canyon and Briggs Valley. You can enjoy a family picnic and take the kids on a hike to the world's tallest pine tree from the day-use area at Big Pine Campground.

Guided hikes: An expert is waiting

A mountain lake or a wildflower meadow could be the destination, the pace a relaxed stroll or a strenuous march.

Ashland-area trails still awash in color

High country trails are going to be locked in snow much longer than usual this year, but you can savor mountain views and flowers that are usually long-gone from lower elevations with a hike in Ashland's watershed.

Rogue River Trail to Whisky Cabin

You could hike the three miles from Grave Creek to Whisky Creek many times in any season of the year and never find the Rogue River or the wildlife in quite the same mood. Rafters begin journeys down the Wild and Scenic Rogue here, and hikers begin multi-day trips from this trail, which runs on the north side of the river from Grave Creek to Foster Bar.

Rich Gulch and Petard Ditch Loop trails will engage your mind and your muscles

You and your kids can engage muscle and mind as you weave from one short trail to the next in the Jacksonville Woodlands. Look for new trails as well as giant madrones, hillsides blasted away by hydraulic gold mining and a profusion of wildflowers, including Gentner's fritillary, a rare plant that favors these woodlands.

Woods Grove and Beekman Ridge Loop

Recent trail additions in Jacksonville's Woods Grove and Beekman Woods make 30 acres feel much larger. Three miles of trails dip and climb through property that once belonged to Cornelius Beekman, mid-17th century pioneer banker and philanthropist.

Mule Mountain Trail offers great views

Spring rains can roll in swiftly, bringing the snap of lightning and the crash of thunder to an otherwise balmy day on the Mule Mountain Trail. Bring layers to protect you from rain, wind and sudden drops in temperature on this 8-mile round-trip hike to the base of Baldy Peak in the Applegate.

Early spring is best for Sterling Mine Ditch Trail

Sterling Mine Ditch trail is at its best in early spring, when temperatures are still cool at low elevations and nearby peaks show off their snowy facades through bare oak branches. Shooting star and fawn lily make their delicate appearance now. In a wet year, the wildflower parade continues to June.

Grayback Campground and Interpretive Trail

Ever since the gigantic Biscuit fire in the summer of 2002, finding a family-friendly hiking trail in the Illinois Valley Ranger District has been a little more difficult.