Friday Mods were out in force (18 hikers) to hike to Grouse Gap and beyond up the PCT towards Siskiyou Peak. We drove past the Mt. Ashland ski area and down the FS road to the starting point at the intersection with the PCT.
And we were off through the wildflower marshes filled with senescing asters, yellow Bigelow’s sneezeweed, pink Oregon marshmallow, and bees. We all felt fortunate to be hiking on Mt. Ashland with close by forest fires controlled. It was a large group, but everyone had a good view of the golden slopes filled with sulfur-colored buckwheat and pink fireweed, along with distant views of many hills all the way to Mt. Shasta. Birds are quiet in late summer, but we saw many dark-eyed juncos along with some olive-sided flycatchers and orange-crowned warblers.
We hiked through Grouse Gap and then trekked up the PCT towards the top of the hill on switchbacks to Siskiyou Peak. There were yellow rabbitbush and great views of Pilot Rock. Two red-tailed hawks circled above along with a feisty peregrine falcon engaging with the hawks. Then one, possibly two, golden eagles appeared and circled the hawks.
After all the drama in the sky, we continued up the trail and enjoyed lunch with vast views of Mt. Ashland and the Siskiyous. We returned back down the trail grateful to be hiking with so many friends. Distance: 5.5 miles with 500’ elevation gain.
Kay
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1. Group Photo
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3. Bigelow's Sneezeweed
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4. False hellevore or green corn lilly
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6. orange-crowned warbler
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7.Ranger buttons
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8
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8a. Scarlet gilia
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8b. Monkshood
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9.Western white on Alice's fleabane
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10. West coast lady
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12.Sulfur-flower buckwheat
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16. Bitter cherry
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17 Rabbitbush
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19.Pilot Rock
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