Frank Hill Road

Nanci, Denise, Patricia and I headed out on a sunny first Friday of April up Frank Hill Road off Ashland Mine Road. Frank Hill begins as an asphalt road, gets narrower, grassier and steeper as you continue up the ridge to its endpoint. Lots of wide open views of the Rogue Valley and surrounding mountains and NO PEOPLE.

There is a tricky spot at the top of the second climb when you reach a flat area of an aspirational home site — you have to head down and to the left as you face the ridge before connecting with the second part of the climb. Look for the big madrone as shown in the picture.

The last section of the hike, about 1/2 to 3/4 mile, is a bushwack straight up to the top of the ridge. Not a good idea to attempt if you are sensitive to poison oak. And, as the season progresses and the poison oak leaves appear, it’s not a good idea to attempt at all. But, hey, it’s a great conditioning hike however far up the ridge you get.

The only downside for this hike is parking. There is no parking on Frank Hill Road because it’s basically one-way, so you will need to park on the right side of Ashland Mine Road just before you get to Frank Hill.

Please let’s keep this hike to ourselves inside the AHG.

Hike Leader: Liz

Photos By: Liz, Nanci