Grizzly Peak Loop Hike

June 15, 2024
Ashland, Oregon

The Grizzly Peak trail, a part of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, offers excellent views of the Cascade Range and the Siskiyou Mountains. The summit stands at 5,922′ and the main viewpoint on this trail’s loop allows hikers to see nearly the entire Rogue Valley, 14,180′ Mt. Shasta, 9,493′ Mt. McLoughlin, and 7,532′ Mt. Ashland. There are many other impressive summits to see as well, and some of them may even still be snow-capped!

If the timing is right, wildflowers will put on a spectacular show along the trail. Some of the flowers we may see are the Pacific trillium, phantom orchid, scarlet Indian paintbrush, Henderson’s fawn lily, and crimson columbine.

The summit on this trail is said to be named for the last known grizzly bear in Oregon. The story goes that “a German named William Brahmer… had a terrible adventure with a grizzly bear…” “He was out hunting, accompanied by his two dogs. When about two miles from his cabin in the woods… a grizzly came charging toward him with jaws wide open, growling and snorting…” Hear the rest of the story during the hike – it’s quite the tale!

A section of this trail passes through the 2002 “East Antelope” wildfire. Though the cause of the fire was unnatural – powerlines – the fire effects on the local landscape have been a part of natural cycles for millions of years. The hiking in this section will have less shade, so bring sunscreen and protective clothing. The extra sun is a fair trade off for big views and interestingly-shaped “snags”. “Snags” are a term for standing dead trees, which serve as vital habitat for many forest critters.

Meet new friends and enjoy the natural beauty of the southern Cascades, just 30 minutes from Ashland, 45 minutes from Medford, and 1 hour from Grants Pass.

Registration is Closed

Registration Is Free

All photos are courtesy of Lanessa Pierce of “What to do in Southern Oregon” – https://www.whattodoinsouthernoregon.com.

Instead of charging a fee, we ask your help raising funds for mental health research and trail maintenance.

It’s fast and easy! When you register, you will be able to personalize a sponsorship page and share it through email and your favorite social media such as Facebook or Instagram. How does it work?

Every little bit helps, and there is no minimum to raise – we just ask that you help us spread the word, then come join us on the trail.

Registration is Closed

Get a Free Hiking Shirt

Our quick-dry shirts look and feel great, on or off the trail.

Every registered hiker who raises at least $250 will receive a HIKE for Mental Health shirt as a token of our appreciation.

Available in men’s or women’s sizes SMALL – XXL.

When you register, we will ask your size preference. Once you reach $250 in donations to your fundraising page, we will get your shirt to you.

If you hit the $250 ten days before the hike, your hike leader will have your shirt for you on hike day. Otherwise, we will mail it to you after the hike.

So help us raise money and awareness for this great cause.

Registration is Closed

For a Good Cause

HIKE for Mental Health is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

All contributions are tax deductible, and 100% of the hike donations support our mission.

Eighty cents of every dollar funds mental health programs, including break-through scientific research into PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar spectrum disorders, depression and other major mental illnesses. Through research we can find better ways to alleviate the suffering that affects 1 in 4 American families.

The remaining twenty cents maintains wilderness trails across the U.S. By supporting non-profit, volunteer groups that care for our trails, we help preserve wilderness experiences for generations to come. Where the money goes.

Registration is Closed

Hike Details

Location:	Grizzly Peak Trailhead, Ashland, OR
Date:	June 15, 2024.
Time:	Approximately 8 – 11 am. Exact times and locations with directions provided to registered hikers only.
Distance:	5 miles.
Difficulty level:	Moderate
Suitable for beginners?	Yes, if you are in good shape and can climb 3-5 flights of stairs without stopping and still be smiling!
Registration fee	Registration is free.
Pet friendly?	Well-behaved dogs on a 6 ft lead are welcome.
Sponsorship amount:	The hike goal is $2,500. There is no minimum required to join the hike, but if every hiker raises $250 we will get very close to our goal.
Free shirt:	Hikers who raise $250 or more will receive a free HIKE for Mental Health quick-dry hiking shirt.
Are there prizes?	Of course! The top fundraiser gets a prize pack of brand-new gear donated to us at last year’s “PCT Days” event. Gear items include four Farm to Summit backpacking meals, a Landmark Project beanie and baseball cap, a High Tail Designs ultralight fanny pack, and a Pact Lite, All-in-One Bathroom Kit.
Hike directors:	Brayden Donnelly and Brielle Brack have been avid HFMH volunteers since 2017. They enjoy hiking and exploring all around Southwest Oregon and Northwest California and call Ashland, Oregon home. They do a lot of their hikes with their dog Joshie who happens to sport a HFMH bandana quite well. Brayden and Brielle both have experience as NOLS WFRs (Wilderness First Responders) and focus on both safety, and fun, during their hikes. They welcome folks from all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels to come out and join on this great hike! Brayden and Brielle are leading this HFMH hike to establish a community for HFMH here in Oregon, and on the west coast. And, of course, to help further the HFMH mission and spread awareness of the benefits hiking and spending time in nature has on mental health while also helping fund mental health research and trail conservation. They chose this trail because of the great views, wildflowers, history, wildfire effects from 2002, and the moderate distance and elevation profile that will allow folks with all types of experience and fitness levels to challenge themselves, while staying as a group and getting to know each other.

Registration is Closed

Trail Map

Every HIKE for Mental Health is an opportunity to:

get away from the hustle and bustle of work-a-day life and enjoy the beauty of Nature
renew old friendships and make new ones
have a great time hiking with a good group of people
stand up against the stigma of mental illness
discover your new favorite get-away
raise money for a great cause

Come on out and join us!

Registration is Closed