Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon Trail Report

Lithia Park is one of those rare places where you can simply slow down and let nature set the pace. You can wander as far as you like, turning it into a longer outing if the mood strikes, or you can stay close to Ashland Creek and enjoy an easy, soothing walk beneath the trees. On this visit, I chose the quieter path — no steep climbs, no dramatic vistas, just the simple pleasure of moving through a beautiful, thoughtfully designed park. And honestly, that’s exactly why it remains one of my favorite places to unwind.

The main path follows Ashland Creek in a gentle loop, one side up and the other back down. Along the hillside edge, you’ll notice a few side trails branching away. They’re technically outside the park boundary, but they’re easy to reach if you feel like exploring a bit more. If you’re curious, here are the AllTrails links:

• Bandersnatch, Oregon - 417 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

• Tolinda and Waterline Trail, Oregon - 357 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

• Hitt Road and Acid Rocks, Oregon - 302 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

If you’re visiting Ashland, Lithia Park is something you shouldn’t miss. It’s a perfect way to stretch your legs after breakfast or lunch. Starting from Main Street, you’ll see the park entrance at the end of a small loop road lined with cafés and shops — ideal for grabbing a drink before your walk or treating yourself afterward.

I began on the right side of Meyer Memorial Lake. (A quick note: dogs aren’t allowed anywhere inside Lithia Park except ADA-compliant service dogs, and violations can result in a fine. If you’re walking with a dog, there are designated alternatives nearby.) The first bridge I reached became an easy pause point — one of the things I love most about this park. Standing above Ashland Creek, listening to the water slip between tree-lined banks, you can feel the whole world slow down.

Lithia Park’s story stretches back to 1892, beginning as an 8‑acre space and later shaped by John McLaren, the landscape designer behind San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Over the years, floods reshaped the creek and vegetation, prompting restoration and careful planning. In 2014, the American Planning Association named Lithia Park one of the top ten Great American Spaces — and when you’re walking here, it’s easy to understand why.

Wildlife is part of the charm. On this walk, I crossed paths with squirrels and a deer; on other days, I’ve shared the trail with wild turkeys. Take your time — the park rewards anyone who slows down enough to notice the small details. You’ll pass a children’s playground, a gazebo, a small amphitheater, and plenty of benches tucked into quiet corners. Trees, shrubs, and seasonal foliage give the park a different personality throughout the year. (The trail shifts from pavement to packed bark shortly after the playground.)

I continued up to Black Swan Lake — no black swans, of course, but a few ducks gliding across the water and a shaded bench that practically invites you to sit for a moment. I stayed there for a while, just taking in the stillness of the pond.

On the return path, I recommend circling Meyer Memorial Lake before you leave. It’s beautifully landscaped and wonderfully peaceful. And once you’ve finished your walk, treat yourself to a coffee and pastry from one of the nearby cafés. It’s the perfect way to end a gentle morning or afternoon in one of Ashland’s most beloved spaces.

Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon is located off E. Main St. Parking is limited but you can also access the park from several other parking lots along Winburn Way and Granite St.

Lower Table Rock Trail Report

Length: 6.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 816 feet

Lower Table Rock is practically Medford’s backyard — about 12 miles out, maybe a 15–20 minute drive if you hit the lights right. Because it’s so close, and because the views of the Rogue Valley are ridiculous in the best way, it gets busy on weekends. But honestly, it’s short enough that you can knock it out after work in a couple hours once the heat backs off. Just toss a couple bottles of water in your pack; even in the evening this trail will dry you out faster than you expect.

I went up on June 18th, which around here basically means summer is in full “oven mode.” There are still a few stubborn wildflowers hanging on, but most of what you’ll see on the way up is that classic Rogue Valley khaki — dry grasses, dusty shrubs, and the kind of crunchy foliage that screams July even when it’s still June. Doesn’t matter though. The views still hit hard.

Right at the start you’ll see a couple of warnings. No dogs — and for good reason. The plateau is full of delicate plants and critters that don’t handle dog scent or paws very well. There’s also a reminder to brush off your boots so you’re not hauling in seeds from somewhere else. They even give you a little boot‑brushing station. Use it. It’s quick trail karma.

Bonus points: the trailhead has an actual bathroom. Not a port‑a‑potty. A real one. It’s the little things.

The trail starts paved, but only for about 200 yards. Then you hit the split: straight up toward the mesa, or right onto the Oak Savannah Loop — a mellow half‑mile detour. After that, it’s dirt and loose gravel the rest of the way. Heads up: that gravel gets a little sketchy on the descent, especially if your knees or balance aren’t in the mood to cooperate.

Most of the trail is in solid shape, but winter rains have chewed up a few sections. Some spots have lost their gravel layer entirely, leaving rougher rock underneath. Even with my prosthetic leg and hiking poles, I managed them just fine — just slowed down a bit and picked my line.

There are two benches on the way up. You don’t have to stop, but honestly? Take the break. Sit down, sip some water, listen to the birds, feel the breeze. Hiking isn’t a race — the journey is half the point.

After the second bench, the trail gets a little more serious. A couple switchbacks help you gain elevation, and every time the brush opens up, you get these teasing little glimpses of Upper Table Rock and Mt. McLoughlin. It’s like the trail is warming you up for the big reveal.

And then — boom — the plateau just appears. One minute you’re climbing beside a basalt outcrop, the next you slip past some brush and suddenly you’re standing on this wide, open mesa. A few social trails branch off, but stick to the main one to protect the plants and critters up there. There is a legit side trail to the left that takes you to the rim and loops back, but I was racing the heat, so I stayed on the main path.

That long, straight stretch across the top? That’s the old airstrip from 1948. It never really took off — pun absolutely intended — and by the 1970s it was abandoned as the Table Rocks became protected. Now it’s just a weirdly straight line across the mesa, slowly fading back into nature.

At the end of that straightaway, the trail splits again. I went straight, found a comfy spot, and just sat for a while.

And wow. Totally worth it.

You get the whole Rogue Valley laid out in front of you — Roxy Ann, McLoughlin, the Siskiyous — all of it. I stayed longer than I meant to, and I’d do it again. In fact, I’m planning to come back in fall, winter, and spring just to see how the whole place transforms with the seasons.

If you haven’t done Lower Table Rock yet, or if it’s been a while, go. Seriously. Strongly recommend this one.

This Lower Table Rock Trail Report will be uploaded as a video in the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye out for it on YouTube on the Amputee Outdoors channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amputeeoutdoors

Green Springs Mt. Loop Trail Report: Hiking in Ashland, Southern Oregon

• Length: 2.8 miles

• Elevation Gain: 337 feet

• Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash

You can watch the video trail review here: https://youtu.be/6CFKj7-Bzjw

Before I even get to the trail review, I want to tell you about the road up the mountain. It would make a great road for a James Bond car chase scene. The curves are numerous and tight, there are some guard rails, but there aren't any guard rails where you'd expect them to be. When you're driving up there, just take it carefully and slowly. OK, on to the hike.

Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail is about 30 miles southeast of Ashland and has a commanding view of the valley below. The last couple of miles to the trail head is along a dirt road with a few potholes, but my Subaru Forester handled it just fine. The trailhead parking is limited, so I recommend going in the morning on a weekday if you can. From the trailhead you walk along the road keeping an eye out for a trail on your left, it's perhaps 200 hundred yards from the parking lot and there's a sign about 30 feet up the trail that reads "PCT North Green Springs Mtn Loop Connector". The sign sits in the middle of a Y intersection and it doesn't really matter which way you go, as the trail is loop. I went right.

This puts you on a very, very small fraction of the PCT, (No, this doesn't qualify you to tell people you've done a "section" of the PCT. Sorry.)

Map courtesy of AllTrails.com

The trail is packed dirt and narrow. In the rainy seasons it's probably fairly muddy so be sure to have boots with good traction if you hike this in the fall, winter or early spring. In this case I had made it up the mountain when clouds still dominated the peak and so found myself walking through a grey, foggy forest that was dripping water on me from the accumulated dew. Being from England and having spent most of my life in western Washington, the conditions were perfect for me. However, I was a little worried that the sun would not come out in time for me to see the valley below. In the past, I've had other hikes spoiled by Mother Nature's penchant for disappointing hikers.

At about half a mile into the trail, look for a path going left, this is the trail that will take you around Green Springs Mountain. Continuing straight will continue on the PCT.

As I progressed along the trail, the clouds grew lighter and the sun made the occasional effort at breaking through. By the time I reached the first meadow, the last whisps of low, grey clouds were dissapating revealing the valley and puffy white clouds high above.

The first meadow has a grand view of the valley, but it's the second larger meadow that is my favourite. It has a view of the valley, and looking east you can see to the horizon. It makes a great place to take a break, perhaps have lunch sitting on the side of the trail, (I recommend spraying permethrin on your backpack, boots, socks, sit pad, and anything else you might put on the ground. On your skin use picaridin, DEET or lemon eucalyptus.) I took the time to sit there for half an hour and just watch the shadows from the clouds move across the landscape.

After this meadow, you're on the last portion of the trail back to the signpost. Take your time going through. Keep your eyes out for squirrels, listen to the birds, admire the brightly coloured moss on the trees, do some forest bathing, drink it all in.

I recommend this trail for anyone looking for sweeping, grand views, and a chance to get out of the heat in the valley.