About thirty minutes southwest of Ashland, through the Applegate Valley, lies the old mining town of Jacksonville. The mining roads criss-crossing these hills of the Upper Siskiyous have been repurposed as hiking and mountain biking trails in a preserve of almost 1100 acres. No leashes required.
The Ol’ Mine Trail
We spent a pleasant day hiking here, seeing others only near the trailhead, admiring the wildflowers and the well-maintained trails. Instead of consulting a paper guide, I ask Siri to identify the plants I photograph, which usually works fine. Ask me if you want to look at hundreds of plant photos. The trailheads and many junctions had trail maps posted with a “You Are Here” dot. There were also loaner paper maps available at the trailhead for hikers to use and return. Unlike in California, there were no parking or entry fees. Like in California, poison oak was flourishing. One indignant hotel guest from Olympia, WA, to whom i had recommended these trails, assured me she had written a complaint letter to the City of Jacksonville pointing out the lack of warning signs about The Dreaded Oak, Toxicodendron.
JohnandJanet'sJourney 
Wow! Can you imagine writing to the local government to complain about poison oak? That seems like staging a protest against mosquitos or organizing a letter-writing campaign against ticks. With all due respect to the reach and majesty of the law, it’s hard to legislate against pests.
Her specific expectation, a warning sign, might help some visitors. It seems comically redundant for anyone else.
Dead Cow Narrows is delightfully evocative!
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