It’s hard to believe that 2024 is behind us, and we’re looking forward to good things for the Jack-Ash and Sterling Mine Ditch Trails in 2025. We had a busy year with trail construction and maintenance, along with celebrating the opening of several miles of new trails.
TRAIL STATUS
Thanks to all the hours contributed by volunteers and our Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partners who help keep these trails open. It’s great to see so many hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians enjoying the trails! Both the Jack-Ash and Sterling Mine Ditch Trails (SMDT) are in good condition going into the winter.
NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTION!
We’ve obtained grant funding through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (not one, but two grants!) to complete all the approved new trails. The grant funding also includes an interpretive sign about how the native people lived on this land. We’re excited to report that we completed 4 miles of the new trail segments called the Upper Bear Gulch and West Bear Gulch trails. These trails start from the Wolf Gap trailhead (TH) connect Tunnel Ridge and Wolf Gulch. These new trails offer spectacular views of the Siskiyou Crest and beyond. We held a National Trails Day event to formally open these new segments on the first weekend in June.. We had BLM and RTP representatives as well as volunteers and trail users join us for the event. These new trails have become very popular since they were opened. Note that these segments are designated for foot traffic only due to the extremely steep and rocky slopes that they cross.
We’ve begun this season’s trail construction, and the first segment provides another loop option from the Armstrong Gulch TH. This is a lovely 1.5-mile segment is called the Armstrong Ridge trail and crosses the upper portion of Armstrong Gulch and rejoins the ditch at the westernmost point. The segment creates a 4-mile loop from an easily accessible TH. One more segment is planned for construction this season. That segment is going to be approximately 1.2 miles and includes both a new section of trail as well as reopening another segment of the existing ditch between the Tunnel Ridge and Little Applegate THs. We’ll announce when this segment is open in the late winter/early spring.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
We completed installing maps and other information as well as map boxes on the new kiosks at the Jack-Ash trailheads in late summer. We also had a couple more cleanup days to remove trash from those trailheads. Thanks to all the volunteers who came out to help with that! We continue to monitor the trailhead conditions and keep them looking good.
We had a great group of volunteers who came out to help install signs for the new trail segments in May. The volunteers included equestrians who brought their stock out to carry concrete and water for the installation on one marathon day. Thanks to all for implementing a logistically challenging effort that paid off.
We were able to complete string trimming on most of the trails in late spring. We unfortunately ran out of both time and funding before the last 5 miles could be completed but we are hoping to get to every mile of the trails this coming spring. The annual trimming has helped keep the trails clear of encroaching vegetation. We will need to find more grant funding to continue this work and have some possible options we will pursue.
One of the other activities was to open a segment of the SMDT in Wolf Gulch that crosses private land. The landowners granted a permanent easement and BLM approved re-opening that section of the trail. It was the easiest mile of trail we’ve ever been able to open! We held the first work party of the season to finish clearing the segment and install signs at either end. This segment creates a nice “lollipop” in that section of the trail so now there are new options from Wolf Gap and Bear Gulch THs that provide approximately 5-mile routes, as well as allowing users to stay on the level ditch through Wolf Gulch rather than take the bypass trail.
Other notable progress is that BLM is working on another Environmental Assessment (EA) that includes an approximately 3-mile segment to connect the Lower Jack-Ash trail at Griffin Lane to Sterling Creek Road. This is a critical link between the Jack-Ash and Applegate Ridge Trails, so we’re excited to see progress. Watch for the public release of the EA and opportunity to comment. The EA will also include new trail segments along the East Applegate Ridge Trail that will be built by the Applegate Trails Association (ATA).
WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
We had several work parties during the past season and were happy to have many returning volunteers as well as lots of newcomers. We held the first monthly work party for this fall/winter season in November and plan monthly work parties through April. The dates are posted under events on this website and in the trailhead kiosks. The volunteers who come out to work on these days are important to maintaining the trails for everyone, and we’re so grateful for all the new and returning volunteers who come out each month. Some of this season’s work parties will be held on the new trail segments, and volunteers can help build the new trails or help fine-tune the newly constructed sections.
We also have volunteers who are constantly trying to keep the trail clear when trees come down. It helps us to know about these, so please report any trees you observe that are down along the trail and we’ll work on getting them cleared. Unfortunately, there are some areas where there are many standing dead trees, so it’s unavoidable to have some come down across the trail after stormy and windy days. Report downed trees by emailing us at sutaoregoncontact@gmail.com. Please note the general location as well as the estimated size of the downed trees so we have a better idea of what equipment will be needed to clear them.
We are always looking for new volunteers to join us as we continue to maintain and promote the existing trails and plan for the next phases of trail development. If you’re interested in getting more involved, please email us at sutaoregoncontact@gmail.com to learn more.
SISKIYOU SKYLINE TRAIL
We shared the news about the Jack-Ash and Applegate Ridge Trails being included in the Oregon Trails Coalition Signature Trail inventory in our last update. The Oregon Signature Trails Inventory Report describes the 15 long-distance trails that were selected as representing the iconic beauty of Oregon landscapes and providing unforgettable experiences for trail users. Investing in signature trails will elevate pride and prosperity for communities across the state, providing amazing experiences for Oregonians in their own backyards. The Signature Trail has been named the Siskiyou Skyline Trail and will ultimately connect the Pacific Crest Trail to Ashland, Jacksonville, and Grants Pass with approximately 90 miles of trails (see the map on our website) While much of the trail is still in the conceptual or planning phases, this designation will help both SUTA and ATA with promoting the trails and with moving forward with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the planned trails, as well as giving us more visibility and potential options for funding construction once new trail segments are approved.
SUTA and ATA received a technical assistance grant from the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program operated under the National Park Service that was renewed for a second year. This technical assistance is helping both groups with raising awareness about the trails, coordinating with BLM and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and with other interested user and environmental groups who have an interest in development of the trails. Our next step will be to meet with BLM and USFS to discuss next steps and timeframe for approving the last phase of the Jack-Ash trail that will go from Anderson Butte to the Wagner Butte TH. This process will likely be several years in the planning but we’re looking forward to getting started.
Meanwhile, enjoy hiking, riding or running on the trails and we hope to see many of you out there soon!