Blog Entries reposted from the my blog

Hiking Hobart's Ridge

Hiking Hobart’s Ridge True Story

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         Last weekend, I finally hiked Hobart’s Ridge near Ashland, Oregon. Hobart’s Ridge is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Ashland. It is part of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument near Hyatt Lake. The trailhead is off Soda Mountain Road near Hyatt Lake, and Green Springs. There is an information center for the monument on Soda Road just past the turnoff for Hobart’s Ridge at the Green Springs Inn. As you drive down the road, you turn to the right and go down a dirt, gravel road through some private housing areas with no hunting/fishing/hiking signs. You will find the trailhead about two miles in.

                   The trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail is a short three-mile loop trail to the top of Hobart’s Ridge and back. Up at the top, you have some fantastic views of Southern Oregon, including Mt Shasta, Mt McLaughlin, Hyatt Lake, and Ashland. Some of the best views in the region.

First Attempt 2016 - Encounter with Mad Mountain Man

          I first tried to hike up Hobart’s Ridge in 2019. My wife and I had decided that we were going to go for a hike, and we were following the directions of an old friend of mine, whom I had known almost my entire life, since first grade, almost 65 years ago.

         When we got near the trailhead, we found there was nobody there, as it was the middle of the week in early June. We have been talking about mountain lions and bears and other critters. And then we saw on the side of the road an old mountain man, with thick hair and beard. He had a lunatic’s thousand-yard stare and glared at us. He was walking with a shovel., and backpack. We were freaked out. We thought he might be an axe murderer or something, and we aborted our trip.

Finally Made it in 2024

         It took another five years before I could get back up there, this time with the same friend who had originally recommended the trail. And we had a fun time. We ran into several other hikers and their dogs, but did not encounter the mountain man, coy dogs, or mountain lions, but did see some friendly deer.

         The trail was nice. Delightful weather, great views, great wildflowers, and had a delightful picnic lunch at the top. I'm glad I finally made it up to the top of Hobart’s Ridge. At my age, (68) still being able to hike up a mountain is a great accomplishment.

Here’s a story I wrote after my first attempted hike to Hobart’s Ridge.

The Mad Bag Piper of Hobart’s Ridge

         Joe Lewis was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as part of his bucket list. He was 70 years old and figured this was the last chance he would have to take such an epic trip He had started in Southern California in May, and it was now August. He was three-quarters through the trip. He stopped off in the town of Ashland, Oregon to take a few days off the trail and recuperate before he pushed on. One night, after seeing a Shakespeare play, he had gone to a bar where he met some locals and told them where he was going.

         “Well, you need to be careful as you hike the trails near here. There is a mad bag piper who haunts the mountains near here. On full moon nights, he appears and accosts hikers, challenging them to a drinking contest, saying that if .you could out drink him, he will let you live, but if he outdrank you, he would have to kill you, because he was a soul hunter and had a contract with the Grim Reaper to keep.

         Whatever you do, don't take the bet. The mad bagpiper is not a human being. Nobody knows who he is, what he is. All we know hikers disappear every full moon. And on those nights you can hear the bagpiper, walking in the woods near Hyatt Lake. He is usually described as a tall mountain man with a long beard, carrying a backpack, and his bagpipes. “

         Joe dismissed the warnings as a silly urban legend. Late on the next day, he set up camp near the top of Hobart's ridge and was enjoying his dinner, a beer and the epic sunset, when he heard a bagpiper and saw an old mountain man coming up the trail.
         “What brings you to my woods, my friend?.”
         “ Just passing through.”
                   “Tell you want. Let’s play a game. If you can out-drink me, I will not only let you live but take you a buried treasure left over from the gold rush times. What do you say, Joe Lewis? Do we have a deal?”
         “How do you know my name?”
         “I know everything about you. Let’s drink”
T          he mountain pulled out a bottle of Mount Gay Rum, Joe’s favorite drink, back in the day when he worked as a diplomat for the U.S. and had served in Barbados.
         They started drinking and at about dawn the old man said,
         “Joe, I like you, so I will let you live.”
         Some hikers found later that day found Joe’s dead body, half-eaten by coy dogs. The mad bagpiper was long gone.

The End

Background info from Co-Pilot
Cascade-Siskiyou National Mo, Ashland,

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is an extraordinary ecological gem nestled at the intersection of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges. Let’s explore its fascinating features:
Location: The monument spans 114,000 acres (approximately 46,134 hectares) of lush forests and grasslands.
Ecological Marvel: This convergence of three distinct mountain ranges has created an area of unparalleled biological diversity and a varied landscape.
Establishment: Recognizing its exceptional ecology and diverse range of resources—biological, geological, aquatic, archeological, and historic—the monument was established in 2000.
Wildlife: Within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, you’ll encounter a rich variety of animals, including deer, bears, mountain lions, small mammals, and songbirds. Birdwatchers are drawn to the presence of eagles and other raptors.
Activities: Visitors can engage in hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, scenic drives, skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding.
Elevation Range: The elevation within the monument varies from 2,100 to 6,100 feet.
From the summit, take in the breathtaking 360-degree panorama, which includes views of Ashland, Pilot Rock, Mt. McLoughlin, and even glimpses of majestic Mt. Shasta123. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply seeking awe-inspiring landscapes, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument awaits your exploration! 🏞️🌲

• Trail Name: Hobart Bluff Trail
• Location: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, near Ashland, Oregon
• Trail Length: Approximately 2.5 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 413 feet
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Estimated Completion Time: Around 1 hour and 9 minutes
• Best Times to Visit: May through November
• Activities: Bird watching, hiking, and running
• Views: From the top, enjoy stunning vistas of Ashland, Pilot Rock, and Mt. McLoughlin.

Trail Description: The trail starts off moderately flat and gradually ascends. The last half-mile becomes steeper, but the panoramic valley views make it worthwhile. You’ll encounter wildflowers and may spot various bird species along the way. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. The trail is usually snow-free from late May to October.

To reach Hobart Bluff from Ashland:
1. Head east on Highway 66.
2. Look for the Hobart Bluff Trailhead near the highway.
3. Park your vehicle and begin your hike

Certainly! A Coydog is a fascinating hybrid resulting from the mating of a male coyote and a female domestic dog. Let’s explore some interesting facts about these unique canids:

1. Hybrid Origins:
o A Coydog is the product of a coyote (Canis latrans) and a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiars).
o These two canids belong to different species, making the Coydog a canid hybrid.
o Crossbreeding between coyotes and dogs has occurred for so long that the exact percentages of wild hybrids remain unknown.
2. Characteristics:
o Coydogs exhibit a mixture of traits inherited from both parents.
o Their appearance and behavior can vary widely due to this genetic blend.
o The exact proportions of coyote and dog characteristics are unpredictable.
3. Fertility and Breeding:
o Hybrids of both sexes are fertile and can be successfully bred for up to four generations.
o Similarly, a hybrid with a dog father and a coyote mother is known as a dogote.
4. Temperament and Care:
o Coydogs can be challenging to handle, as they require a lot of affection and care.
o Their temperament is akin to that of a child.
o Due to the limited breeding season of coyotes, Coydogs are relatively rare.
5. Habitat and Occurrence:
o Coydogs occur in the wild where the number of other coyotes is scarce.
o In areas with fewer potential mates, they may mingle with domesticated dogs for companionship or breeding.