Pacific Crest Trail

Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Season: Spring through Fall
Maps:  A map of the Medford District BLM can be found at Nature of the Northwest.

About the Hike

 At the Pilot Rock parking area go east on the PCT, which follows below and across the north face of Pilot Rock.  In approximately one mile you come to a beautiful overview of the upper Scotch Creek drainage.  Continue another half mile to Porcupine Gap and a jeep trail to the right that descends down another fork of Scotch Creek.  This includes the 1,797 acre Scotch Creek Research Natural Area (RNA). This RNA was establish in 1992 of a rose family shrub/chaparral community, which includes 15 species of woody shrubs in the rose family.

The Dirt

Enchanting pools and varied topography along magical streams in steep, forested canyons. With our conservation allies in Southern Oregon, Oregon Wild has fought to protect the Soda Mountain area for years. The managing agency-- the BLM -- endorses plans to designate the area as Wilderness. The Soda Mountain area is often described as an ecological wonder where the biology and climate of Eastern Oregon meets the topography of the Cascades. While Wilderness protection for a major portion of this area is still being sought, 52,940 acres was protected as the “Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument” in 2000.

Getting There

To Pilot Rock: Drive nine miles south of Ashland on I-5.  Take Exit 5 for Mount Ashland and go straight ahead (south), following signs for Siskiyou Summit.  Continue 1.4 miles (over the summit), and turn left on Pilot Rock Road (BLM Road 40-2E-33).  On Pilot Rock Road continue straight ahead in .2 mile (where a road you don’t want bears right). From the paved road, drive a total of two miles to a gravel pit where the road forks.  From this point bear right the rest of the way to the small Pilot Rock parking area (5080 feet) on your right in .7 mile.

Always confirm accessibility to trails prior to departure.

Photo by Elizabeth Feryl.