Jim Falkenstein is a local trail maniac who has scoured Jackson County for every day-hike he can find. From 2 mile interpretive strolls to an 18 mile mountain bike ride around Applegate Lake, Jim is always looking for variety. Don’t worry, he is not an ex navy seal training to be a ninja warrior. He is a 61-year-old dad that could lose 20 lbs. All of these trails are “normal people friendly.” (wife’s note – change ‘All’ to ‘Most’)
In his book AshlandTrails.com: The Book: Jackson County Edition there are over 100 local trails from Union Creek to Grants Pass to Applegate and, of course, Ashland. In addition to maps and directions and trail descriptions there are QR codes for each trail. These QR codes connect your smart phone to the website www.AshlandTrails.com.
That’s right, a book that connects to a website! And a website that has… Trail Videos. Jim declares that he is the originator of the Trail Video. Every trail in his book and on his website has a Trail Video with the driving, parking, and hiking directions. Imagine that if instead of an algorithm, AllTrails had a soul.
This presentation at Bloomsbury Books on November 13th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm covers 18 trails in the Applegate Valley area. From the Sterling Mine trails over to the French Gulch area and the Bigfoot Trap. Then to the Thompson Creek area for Greyback Mountain and up to the Enchanted Forest. There will be slides and maps and stories and… a free raffle!
Maybe you’ve seen Jim On The Trail on SOPBS or stumbled across his YouTube videos @AshlandJim or his facebook page Ashland Trails. Whether you already know his work or have never heard of him before, this hour at Bloomsbury Books will be a fun, high-energy hour with plenty of very useful trail information specifically for the Applegate Valley and… from a real, local, human being.
Looking forward to meeting you.
