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A great low-altitude, year-round running, mountain biking, and equestrian trail.


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Map Key

21.0

Miles

33.8

KM

97%

Runnable

3,264' 995 m

High

2,519' 768 m

Low

1,260' 384 m

Up

1,346' 410 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trail is open year-round but can get muddy in places during the winter.

The trail is used by runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians so please observe proper trail etiquette.

There is no potable water along the trail.

Description

The Sterling Mine Ditch Trail is one of the most popular and publicized trails in Southern Oregon. It's open year-round, and is open to foot traffic, mountain bikes, and equestrians. This area is really lovely, featuring wildflowers in the spring and autumn colors.

The original "Ditch" was constructed by hand in 1877 to direct the Little Applegate River to a hydraulic mine that was in the upper reaches of the Sterling Creek drainage; the ditch was used for this purpose until the 1930s. The mine and the mining town Sterlingville are gone, but the ditch has now been reclaimed and is used as a valuable recreational resource.

From the Little Applegate Trailhead near the end of Little Applegate Road, the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail climbs a short distance up to the ditch itself, then follows the ditch on the level for about a mile to where the trail leaves the ditch and climbs up and around some private property. The trail levels out again and, 4.6 miles from the trailhead, passes a junction with the Tunnel Ridge Access Trail (about one mile long) coming up from the Tunnel Ridge Trail.

In another 2.2 miles, it passes a junction with the Bear Gulch Access Trail (also about one mile long) which connects to the Bear Gulch Trail. A further 1.8 miles along, after dodging more private property, it passes the Wolf Gap Access Trail (1.5 miles long) extending down from the Wolf Gap Trailhead. These access trails and trailheads can be used to fashion shorter runs involving the Ditch Trail.

The Wolf Gap Access Trail is the last access to/from the Ditch Trail until you reach the Armstrong Gulch Trailhead in about 6.5 miles. This is a mostly level stretch, though there is a slight downhill grade, with views of the Little Applegate Valley. It’s another flat 1.5 miles to the Deming Trailhead on Armstrong-Deming Road. From there, the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail contours east, crossing Deming Gulch, then heads north on a level grade for 2.5 miles to its end at the bottom of the Grub Gulch Access Trail.

Further progress northward from here is blocked by private property. You can either retrace your steps or run up the Grub Gulch Access Trail to its trailhead and run or car shuttle from there back to the Deming Gulch Trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Watch out for poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes (rare) during the summer months.

Contacts

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#14770

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#492

in Oregon

#14,770

Overall
11 Views Last Month
2,553 Since Nov 23, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Unusual clouds over the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail.
Dec 29, 2021 near Jackson…, OR
The 130-foot long tunnel through the ridge
Apr 3, 2019 near Talent, OR
The Sterling Mine Ditch cuts across the hillside between Bear Gulch and Tunnel Ridge
Aug 29, 2017 near Talent, OR
The view westward from along the Ditch Trail
Nov 23, 2017 near Jackson…, OR
Heading into Deming Gulch
Nov 23, 2017 near Jackson…, OR
The small seasonal stream in Deming Gulch
Nov 23, 2017 near Jackson…, OR

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