Although we’re not far from town, the
Ashland Mountain House is definitely in the country.
Our neighbors hay their fields and horses
and cattle graze in the pastures across the way.
We’re ten minutes from downtown Ashland, on a two-lane road
that is officially designated a “Scenic Highway.”
Part of the original California-Oregon Trail, Old Highway
99 South winds up the side of the mountain and is beloved by bicyclists, who
come from all over to enjoy
this challenging ride.
The u-pick berry patch just around the bend from us is a major local
destination. From late June well into August you can hang out and gather your
fill of delicious, unsprayed blueberries. Emigrant Lake is visible from the
Mountain House and
on a hot day it's a good place to be for swimming and boating. Hikers can head
up the road to several entry points to the Pacific Crest Trail, or explore
the nearby, newly established Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
Fall is arguably the nicest time of year in Ashland. When the leaves are
turning the drive from Ashland to the
top of Old 99 South is an intense blaze of color. Winter brings snowfalls, which are beautiful
but brief at our elevation. Above us, Mt Ashland offers months of sledding, skiing, and snowboarding.
All year round, the air is fresh and at night the stars are bright. Want to reconnect with the Milky Way?
Here’s the spot.
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