Lily Glen Horse Camp

Location:

Lily Glen Horse Park
Dead Indian Memorial Road
Ashland, OR


Date Trail Reviewed:

Spring 2010

Overview:

This is a truly magical place to ride! Not only is it an amazing equestrian area, it's also an overnight camping destination complete with corrals for your horses. There are eight overnight campsites, plenty of day parking and bathroom facilities (alas, no showers).

Because this equestrian recreation area adjoins Howard Prairie lake, there are countless scenic trails. You can ride around the lake, take off into the trees, or even ride on the other side of Dead Indian Memorial Highway onto BLM land. The park itself is maintained by the Jackson County parks department so there is a day and overnight use fee that applies.

Trailer Parking:

There is plenty of trailer parking and turn around opportunities. You'll see a small kiosk as you enter with envelopes for your use fees. Please be sure to observe all rules and fees while in the park so this incredible facility remains open for all of us.

I usually pull in and drive to the right, taking a right turn past the corrals and parking in the field behind them. There is enough room for 20+ trailers, which is why this is a popular camping spot and a great place for organized group rides.

Water Source:

There are several old school style water pumps that you can use to fill buckets for your horses. No watering troughs are present however. The water is drinkable for humans as well. In addition, there is a creek that flows across the park and into Howard Prairie lake that can be used for horses.  Do not drink from creeks or lakes, there are too many cattle in the area for this water to be drinkable.

Bathroom Facilities:

Port-a potty set up in a cinderblock building. These can be chilly in the winter so it's not exactly luxurious. No showers or other facilities.

Length of Trail:

This is the kind of destination where you can ride all day long, or just a few hours. The trail I like best, crosses the stream and heads to the right along Howard Prairie Lake. You'll go through some meadows  (complete with jumps if you want to try them out!), then skirt the lake and ride into the trees for a nice long ride. You can head left after a while and go up the mountain and when you get come down the otherside, you'll be right in front of the campground.

There are also smaller trails that roam in and out of the tree line at the base of the mountain. Those are great on a hot day because the footing is super soft and you're in shade most of the time.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to ride on the north side of Dead Indian Memorial highway but from what I hear, there are lots of great trails there too.

Footing:

Soft and marshy at the beginning, then into pine needle flooring through the forest. If you chose to ride into the mtn, you'll encounter some rocks, but nothing that it's impossible to cross.

Sharing Trail With:

The best part of Lily Glen is you'll only encounter horses (and occasional hiker). One of my biggest pet peeves is riders who bring their dogs and allow them to run lose. There is abundant wildlife in the area and between that and other horses, un-leashed dogs just lead to trouble.

If you stay on the trail that skirts the lake, you'll more than likely eventually run into campers. Sometimes they'll float over on a boat and just set up camp wherever so be on the look out for folks that don't know to stay out of the way of a horse.

Difficulty of Trail:

Moderate for the most part. You will encounter some inclines and declines, but it's a fairly easy ride for a trail horse. The toughest part for me has been the creek at the beginning. In the summer, it's pretty low but you'll still encounter some mud and horses that don't like water crossings will find it a bit challenging. There is a small wood bridge that some horses will cross, but it's fairly narrow.

Features of Trail:

Lots of wildlife, everywhere! It's rare to not see a deer at Lily Glen. There are many gates, logs and horse jumps set out for you and your horse. Some of them are quite old and shouldn't be jumped, while others are new. The footing is pretty good around the new ones. (Always take your horse around all sides of a jump before attempting).  The views are great along the lake and the forested part is very serene and peaceful.

Potential Hazards:

Remember that the presence of deer means their predators are roaming too. It's highly unlikely you'll see them or that they'll give you any trouble but just be cautious and ride with another person if possible. Because there are a fair amount of rocks and other potentially harmful surfaces on which to land, wear a helmet while at Lily Glen.

Note: few cell providers get coverage here so you're along way from help if you chose to forgo the helmet and have a fall. US Cellular and Verizon seem to have good coverage.

Great Place for Lunch:

I like to ride along the lake for about 3-4 miles then take a break in the treeline. Be sure to either wear a halter/bridle combination or bring your halter and lead rope so your horse can be tethered safely and comfortably. Again, remember to pack out everything you brought in.

The grove of Oak trees mentioned above provides some great shade and a place to tie your horse, it's usually where I take a break. Remember to pack out all trash.

Stuff Nearby:

Not a thing! That's one of the advantages of Lily Glen, but also one of the disadvantages. Don't count on cell coverage, gas stations or stores to buy things. If you follow the signs to Howard Prarie and Hyatt lake, you'll find a café and pizza place but it's a good 15 miles away.

Nearest Gas:

Along Highway 66 before you turn off on Agate Road, you'll find most major stations.

Directions:

Allow for at 30-45 minutes to climb up Dead Indian Memorial Highway. It's a pretty good change in elevation but fairly easy to climb. 

Traveling south on 1-5, take the second Ashland exit. Travel east on Dead Indian Memorial Road climbing up the hill then dropping down toward Howard Prairie Reservoir. Travel past the turnoff to Howard Prairie Resort, approximately ½-mile. Look for the large barn and corrals on the right side of the road. For an easier "haul" but a few extra miles, take Hwy 140 from White City east toward Klamath Falls. Turn south at North Fork Campground Road. Turn right on Dead Indian Road. Lily Glen is about 4 miles on the left.

Denman Wilderness Preserve

Location:

Denman Wildlife Area
1495 E. Gregory Road
Central Point, OR 97502

Date Trail Reviewed:

Summer 2009

Overview:

Denman is a giant wildlife preserve that sits on the Rogue River, adjacent to the Tou Velle State Park recreation area. It's sandwiched between Central Point, Medford and the Southern end of White City.  It has the advantage of being mostly flat, and because of the fair weather is ridable nearly all year. There are views of Mt. McLoughlin and Table Rock as well as a wide variety of trees. For experienced trail riders, it's a bit dull so it only gets a 2 horse rating from me.

Because it's a wildlife preserve, it has lots of inhabitants. There are several ponds so the waterfowl is everywhere.  During certain times of the year (Sept-May) you'll see hunters looking for grouse, duck and other fowl. However, even during hunting season, you can usually get in a good ride, away from hunters. You'll hear them though, so riding a spooky horse here during hunting season is inadvisable.

Trailer Parking:

You can enter the park a number of ways, but I usually go in via Agate Road. There is a locked gate (really just a giant metal arm) on the left hand side of the road a few miles down from Big R.  There is enough room to turn your truck and trailer around and probably for 3 rigs to park. However, it's probably easier to get a key to the gate.

It's pretty easy to get a key, just stop by the Oregon Department of Fish and Widlife's Denman office off East Gregory Road during regular business hours and register your name, address, reasons for using the wildlife area and the make, model and license number of the vehicle you will most likely drive down TouVelle Road.

Once you have a key, open the gate and drive down a fairly long, gravel road. It will dead end in a turn around space with an old cement structure of some sort. I usually turn here, drive back up the road a bit and park there.

Water Source:

None for humans, but the horses can sip out of the Rogue River.

Bathroom Facilities:

Again, not for humans. However, if you're desperate, you can walk to the left of the turn around area I mentioned and you'll end up in Tou Velle State park, there are bathrooms there. Horses are NOT allowed in this direction.

Length of Trail:

There are several trails. You can ride along the river, into open meadows, on the other side of the river. Take your pick or better yet, just explore! It's easy to find the trails, they're well traveled. Each time I go, I find someplace new to wander in. Good news is the park isn't all that big and because it's bordered by roads all the way around, it'd be pretty hard to get lost. 

Denman is small enough to be appreciated in half a day. To ride my favorite path, take the path leading to the right off the turn around area. This will wind through trees, very close to the river. There are opportunities to ride down and stand in the river, and even more trails on the other side if you have a horse that will cross a fairly wide portion of the river.

To lengthen this ride, keep following and you'll go through a grove of Oak Trees. You can double back towards the trail head across meadows, or stay to the left and ride up onto a ridge. This ridge will wind through mesquite and other drought resistent plants and eventually drop back down onto the road you came in on.

Footing:

Mostly hard packed, a bit of gravel here and there and it can be soft near the river.

Sharing Trail With:

Hikers, bird enthusiasts, dogs, other horses…I've never seen a bike out there, though the area is open to biking. During bird season, you'll also see dog trainers and hunters. Always a good idea to carry a small, orange vest or hat that you can wear if you're worried. Please don't bring your dogs and just let them wander with you as you ride, it's not only against the law, it's not nice to other riders who may have horses that spook.

Difficulty of Trail:

Completely easy! No hills, no valleys, it's pretty much flat. If you go up on the ridge I mentioned, it can be kind of steep to get back down. Do stay on guard for flying birds, it's not uncommon to have the horses flush a bunch of winged friends and if they all fly up it can really spook your horse.

Features of Trail:

Lots of wildlife, everywhere! Great places along the Rogue River to practice riding in and out of water. Easy footing through most of the ride.

Potential Hazards:

Flying birds, hunters, mosquitos (bring spray!) and in the summer you might encounter a snake or two. The area used to be cross fenced with barbed wire, but I hear they've taken most of that down (as of June 2010).

Great Place for Lunch:

The grove of Oak trees mentioned above provides some great shade and a place to tie your horse, it's usually where I take a break. Remember to pack out all trash.

Stuff Nearby:

Big R! Need I say more? J You'll also find a bunch of fast food on Highway 66.

Nearest Gas:

Along Highway 66 before you turn off on Agate Road, you'll find most major stations.

Directions:

From I-5: Take exit 33 at Central Point. Travel east on Pine Street to Table Rock Road. Turn left (north) on Table Rock Road to E. Gregory Road. Turn left at the wildlife area headquarters sign.
From Hwy. 62: Turn onto Agate Road. Take the first left (E. Gregory Road). Proceed one mile to the wildlife area.

Pacific Crest Trail from Greensprings

Since I live in the Greensprings area of Ashland, my commute takes me through amazing forests and sweeping vistsas of the Rogue Valley. Each day I drive past a very popular area of the PCT at the summit of 66 near Soda Mountain Road. Most evenings you'll find a number of cars parked at the trail head, hikers out to take in the beauty that our mountains have to offer.

A few weeks ago I was having lunch at the Greensprings Inn next to a few endurance riders. When I inquired about which trail they had ridden that day, they told me it was the PCT I pass everyday. They said it was a terrific ride with big views and well worth the time. Of course that got my wheels turning, so Sunday I invited a few friends and we hit the trail. We did the portion that sits north of Highwy 66, towards Hyatt lake. What follows is my review of the trail.

Location:
Pacific Crest Trail, Route 66 out of Ashland, Oregon. Trail head is at the summit, clearly marked and near Soda Mountain Road.

Date Trail Reviewed:
June 13, 2010

Trailer Parking:
There is plenty of room to park your trailer and even turn it around on the northern side of Highway 66. Hikers generally park on the southern side. The surface is hard packed dirt and you can pull your trailer in a circle then park it off to the side. It would probably fit 4-5 trucks and trailers if parked carefully.

Water Source:
A few tiny streams as you travel up the trail, if you go most of the way in, you'll encounter a reservoir with a larger stream at the run off point.

Bathroom Facilities:
None.Yep, that means you'll be either doing the "turn the back" or the "crouch and squat" -- but hey if you're too shy to pee on the trail, whattya doing out here anyway? :)

Length of Trail:
I didn't measure it, but I'd estimate it was about 5 miles to get to the reservoir and from what the maps said, you can continue on to Hyatt Lake.

Footing:
Varies, but this trail is mostly through forested areas so it's soft dirt with pine needles. There was a few places where you had to go around or over some small rocks, but they were minimal. There is small portion that has been covered with small platforms of gravel that stair step down the mountain to preserve the trail.

Sharing Trail With:
Hikers only. No bikes, no motor vehicles.

Difficulty of Trail:
Moderate. In terms of incline or decline, nothing significant. There was still a bit of mud on the trail, so early in the season or after a heavy rain you may want to skip this one. Also about 3 miles in, you'll be traversing a hill that has a pretty decent drop off and narrow trail. It's in the trees but when it's slippery it's still a little scary.

Features of Trail:
The first open meadow shows a view that stretches from the Siskiyou Summit to Southern Medford. Truly an amazing view. You'll go through several other meadows of wildflowers (depending on the season), pass several small ponds and end up at a crystal blue reservoir with a spillway.

Potential Hazards:
Although this trail is incredibly well maintained it is narrow in places, and there are downed trees that can either be jumped (yee haw!) or you can go around them. There is a wooden bridge that's quite wide but still could cause some fear for horses not familiar with it. I counted four gates that were easy to open from foot, a little more challenging from horseback.

Since this trail goes in and out of the sun, probably a good idea to wear bug spray and sunscreen. Bring a light jacket because you go in and out of the trees a lot.


Great Place for Lunch:
We took a break at the reservoir. There aren't any hitching posts, but plenty of trees. No picnic table, but grassy areas that were fine for sitting on. Remember to pack out your own trash!

Stuff Nearby:
Just two miles up the road is the Greensprings Inn. It's a great little cafe that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.There is enough room to park a couple trucks and trailers on the street, or across the street in the fire department's parking lot. Also Hyatt and Howard Prairie lake are nearby and both have equestrian camping.

Nearest Gas:
Chevron and Shell stations at Exit 14.


Directions:
From Ashland take Exit 14, go East on Highway 66 towards Emigrant Lake. You'll drive up a fairly twisty, windy road to the summit. It's completely do-able but take it slow and be considerate for the cars that need to get around you. It will take about 20 minutes to get to the trail head. Not recommended for those who don't have trailer breaks.

From Klamath Falls, take 66 out of Kfalls and you'll drive through Keno, past the Greensprings Inn and arrive at the trail head at about Mile 16. It takes a good hour from this direction.