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Hike the Woodlands trails 1. Sarah Zigler (Interpretive) Trail. 1 mile. Trail begins off of First Street next to the Britt Pavilion. This flat trail follows Peter Britt water ditch, which brought water from Jackson Creek into the Britt Gardens. Gold was first discovered in Jackson Creek in 1851. The path crosses two bridges built by AmeriCorps in 1995 and 1998 (both made from fallen Douglas firs from the Woodlands property), winds through a grove of Ponderosa Pine and passes a 200-foot sequoia. Watch for a red, bell-shaped endangered lily, Gentner's fritillary. 2. Rich Gulch Trail. 2 miles. Trail begins at end of West Fir Street. See a canyon carved by giant water cannons, rock tailings, a hand-dug ditch and other relics from the days of mining in the late 1890s and early 1900s. 3. Britt Ridge Trail. 0.5 mile. Connects to Sarah Zigler and Jackson Forks Canyon trails. Trailhead branches off of Rich Gulch Trail. This trail climbs up to the oak savanna, where colorful wildflowers are abundant and the smooth-barked Pacific madrones grow. 4. Jackson Forks Canyon Trail. 0.75 mile. Connects to Britt Ridge Trail and Rich Gulch. Trailhead branches off of Rich Gulch Trail. Hikers who want more of a challenge can start at the Sarah Zigler Trail, cross the second bridge and connect with Jackson Forks Canyon Trail and return to the Britt Gardens on the Rich Gulch Trail. 5. Petard Ditch Trail. 0.5 mile. This moderate trail can be reached two ways, by branching off the Rich Gulch Trail or by driving to the end of South Oregon Street, parking and walking on an overgrown road to the trailhead. This trail winds through the Chinese diggings owned by the Bureau of Land Management. It's named for the Auguste Petard family, who mined and tended vineyards on the property for three generations. 6. Beekman Canyon Trailhead (North). 1.5 miles. This moderately steep trail begins at the Beekman House, located at East California Street and Laurelwood Drive. This is the Jacksonville Woodlands Association's original trail, purchased and created around 1990. The beginning of this trail is wheelchair accessible. A highlight is touring the Native Plant Botanical Garden. The Beekman Loop Trail does not connect directly with the western sections of the Jacksonville Woodlands. 7. Old Catholic Wagon Trail. 0.5 mile. Begins at the Jacksonville Cemetery, one of Oregon's earliest pioneer cemeteries. This trail made it possible for mourners to follow the horse-drawn hearse without crossing into opposing cemetery sections. The cemetery offers panoramic views. Source: Larry Smith, Jacksonville historian Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA