This Friday we enjoyed brilliant autumn colors with patches of warm sunlight in the Jacksonville Woodlands. Seventeen of us were exuberant to be in the woods filled with golden maples and green moss and lichen-covered conifers. Many thanks to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association and the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy for protecting the natural setting and providing the hiking trails.

We hiked the History Loop trail from Britt Gardens to the Beekman House. Starting at the Jacksonville Library parking lot, we went up to the Britt Gardens and turned right onto the Sarah Zigler Trail. A passing hiker shot a group photograph of us with her black dog. We crossed the bridge and continued up to the spur to the Panorama Point.

Returning down the hill we took the trail by the Chinese mining diggings, crossed Hill Street, and continued down to the trail past Bebe Woods. Juncos, bush tits, and nuthatches chattered as we headed down Hill Street then turning right onto Graham Street. We crossed Third Street and then hiked on the Grove Trail to the Beekman Loop. Finally, we admired the golden aspen trees in the Arboretum along with all the native plants.

We ended by walking down to California Street and headed back to the parking lot. Many of us enjoyed lunch at Bella Union with good conversation about hiking and travel adventures. Total distance hiked: 4.0 miles, with 400’ elevation gain.

Photos By: Tysen