North Elk Creek Park

Ashland had bright sun Monday morning with none of the valley fog we’ve had for weeks. Good weather continued up Highway 62 to our meeting spot at the corner of Elk Creek Road. We drove another 5 miles up the road to our parking spots at the intersection with West Branch Elk Creek Road.

We only had a few drops on our way down to the main trail; not enough to don rain coats. And temps for the day’s hike were in the 40s and mostly cloudy.

We 7 headed south across the footbridge for the West Branch Creek which was full and through our lunch spot on the way to see the notched dam.

There were no cows in the meadows today, unlike when I scouted a few months ago and counted 30 of our bovine buddies.

We hiked a while on the road then turned off to the left onto a gravel road. You could hear and see North Elk Creek roaring along with plenty of water, which gave some hope that the long drought may have an end.

When we got to the back of the dam we found it decorated with brightly colored graffiti.

Our group was in the mood to explore, so for the first time in 5 years, we walked over river rocks to the front of the huge dam and then scrambled up the different levels to the top. On the westside of the dam top away from the notch we could climb up the hillside to two different trails which led up to the road that we took back to the lunch spot.

At lunch, after passing out chocolate, I noticed movement in the distance through the willows by the creek. As we watched, we saw 5 cows moving down a trail of their creation on the farside of Elk Creek.

It was a good day’s hike of about 6 miles. (Note: Do not block the green gate when parking, you’ll get a note on your windshield from the park ranger.)

Happy Holidays,

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Randy