Little Pilot Peak and Hobart Bluff

Our plan to beat the Ashland heat proved popular as 17 hikers showed up at Rite Aid for a combo hike to Little Pilot Peak and Hobart Bluff. While temps in town reached into the 90s, temps along the PCT in the Greensprings area were in the 70s.

A caravan of 6 SUVs headed up Highway 66 and just before Greensprings Summit we made a right onto the dusty Soda Mountain Road for 4 miles to the PCT crossing. Memorial Day made parking a little tight but we all managed to find space.

First we headed south 2.5 miles down the PCT to Little Pilot Peak. There were countless wildflowers along the way that added color to the hike. I stopped at the spot between two large pines that marked the entrance up Peony Hill so none in the crowd would miss the turnoff. There was a bounty of Brown’s wild Peony going up the hill with some now in bloom.

Liz will return here for Friday’s Flower Walk.

Up at the top of the hill is Little Pilot Peak where we all managed to squeeze in and were rewarded with excellent views of the valley and surrounding mountains. After rest and water and snap shots we headed back down, meeting other holiday hikers with their kids and dogs on the trail.

At parking, we said goodbye to 4 returning hiking friends and one other who had a holiday engagement. The remaining 12 crossed the road and headed up the PCT 1.5 miles to Hobart Bluff and lunch. We saw many of the same wildflowers on this stretch of the trail with the familiar yellow Arrowhead BalsamRoot on the sunny hillside of the trail leading up to the Bluff.

We had a relaxing lunch on top with the group spreading out to find favorite spots to sit and enjoy the views. Thanks to Darryl for providing chocolate all around.

After lunch we headed back to our cars with 9 stopping by the old Greensprings Inn for some liquid refreshments on the deck.

On this fifth Monday in May, we hiked 8 miles and went from 5,300′ on the road to 5,500′ TO 5,600′ at our viewpoints.

Next Monday we’ll go back to the Greensprings Summit for a hike out to Little Hyatt Lake about 7 miles. We hope to see a rare California Lady Slipper plant blooming along the trail.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Darryl, Linda, Randy, Jerry