Mt. Ashland Hill Climb Trail
By: Torsten Heycke Photos: Andy Atkinson
The small town of Ashland (pop 21,000) is well known for its Shakespeare Festival and it is appropriate that this run begins adjacent to the Elizabethan Theater, in beautiful Lithia Park. (There is a Lithia springs drinking fountain near the start of the run and you might think that is why the locals are so mellow.) The route wends its way around the park, next to Ashland Creek, and a local swimming hole and then climbs abruptly at the start of Lithia Loop Rd. Early smiles often turn into grimaces right around here.
“Don’t worry, there’s just one hill,” a spectator shouted during a recent race. Most of the runners laughed knowingly. It’s true, more or less. The “one” hill” climbs almost continuously for more than a vertical mile over a distance of 13.3 miles. There is scarcely a bit of flat or downhill in the whole event. Indeed, participants are advised that if they are going downhill they are almost certainly off course.
Runners quickly ascend above the city and near trails with a CS Lewis theme. The first aid station is at the White Rabbit trail head and the route crosses the Alice trail. Don’t fall down the rabbit hole!
Much of this route either parallels or is the same as the Creek to Crest trail, an effort to link downtown trails to the nearby Pacific Crest Trail (which runs right next to Mt Ashland).
Although most runners don’t take the time to look, they are, in fact, running near several old gold mining sites. One shaft apparently extends beneath the runners. Talk about a rabbit hole!
As runners continue their relentless climb, they keep Mt Ashland in perspective most of the route. As they approach the ski area, views of nearby Mt McLoughlin (el 9,495) appear. Then suddenly, one can see Mt Shasta (el 14,179). Finally, at the summit, finishers are afforded a panoramic view of the Cascades, the Marble Mountains and, in the distance, the Trinity Alps.
You can, of course, run this route most summer and fall days. But, if you do it the first Saturday in August as part of the Mt Ashland Hill Climb Run, you can enjoy a well-earned Standing Stone beer at the finish. The local brewing company has been a long-time sponsor.
The competition is keen: national level runners from around the country compete in this race. Ashland is renowned for its Shakespeare Festival, but it is also increasingly known for its distance runners. Local winners of the Mt Ashland Hill Climb Run have included the winner of the Los Angeles Marathon, Ric Sayre, and two-time Western States winner, Hal Koerner.
This event is part of the USATF Oregon Mountain Running Series and 2010 the La Sportiva Mountain Cup. It's also a fund raiser for the Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association.
Entries are limited to 250.
Learn More at Mt Ashland Run
For more information on the La Sportiva Mountain Cup go to www.mountainrunning.com
Read More...