National Award winning Woodlands video. 70% of the following photos were taken by Larry Smith starting in 1990. 20% were taken by Larry's twin brother, Lloyd Smith. 10% of the remaining photos were contributed by Scout leaders, parents and other communty members. We hope y'all enjoy the show. A Jacksonville Woodlands 20th anniversary commemorative video DVD is also available for sale. $20. Send an email if you want to order. The video is a collection of 34 short TV programs, ranging from local to national programing, that have been collected over the past 20 years. Contact Larry Smith at: jvsmith@clearwire.net
Liz Braislin - her passion was hiking the trails of Jacksonville. Liz's memorial trail was dedicated April 17, 2010. Liz's Trail adds 2.5 miles to Jacksonville's 16-mile trail system.
Cinnamon Good Dog. Cinnamon was a good dog owned by Liz and John Braislin. Art by Don Thomas. Cinnamon was a very successul fundraiser. Each spring Cinnamon would travel from house to house, carrying littl saddle/money bags, soliciting funds for the trails of Jacksonville.
Liz and John Braislin being honored at our annual hike-a-thon. Two years later Liz passed away. Her legacy fund allowed the building of the 2.5-mile Liz's Trail. Dedicated April 17, 2010.
John and Liz Braislin with JWA Executive Director Larry Smith
Cinnomon was a good dog.
Liz and John Braislin being honored for their years of supporting the Jacksonville Woodlands. Pictured in the poster is their faithful fund raising dog - Cinnamon Good Dog. Cinnamon had just passed away. The doggy poster and tribute came as a complete surprise to the Braislins.
Bob and Ruth Root, long time JWA supporters. Bob served on the JWA board of directors for many years. Ruth served as president of the Jacksonville Garden Club. 2009 was the last Hike-A-Thon that they attended. Bob was sick for many years, but mustered enough strenth to attend one more time. Both died in the fall of 2009. He past 90 and and she close to 90. Their memorial fund bought a trail bench.
Charlie and Joan Long have not missed our Hike-A-Thons for about 10 years. 2009 was Charlie's last when he lost his battle with Parkinson's. Charlie died February 2010.
The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is an an important partner in helping with the success of the Woodlands. Pictured: Dan Kellogg and Executive Director Diane Garcia.
Don Thomas - the creative artist behind most of our publications, newsletters, and trailside displays. Don has been designing for us for over 15 years.
This collection of woodlands photos is dedicated to my parents - Elmer and Ruby Smith. My folks were at nearly every Hike-A-Thon for 12 years. Dad was 92 in this photo and Mother was 88. They so enjoyed the Jacksonville hikes. I inherited my passion for hiking and walking from them. Mother passed away on February 4, 2008 at age 91. Still able to walk and drive. (Larry Smith, JWA Executive Director, February 2010)
Linda Smith Selling FG flower t-shirts. Linda's 20 years of behind-the-scenes support helped Larry Smith in so many ways.
JWA's logo. Art by JWA board member Ray Foster.
Seizan and Noah taking in the views from Panorama Point - one of the major vistas found in the Jacksonville Woodlands. The two boys had spent part of the day "soccering".
Tyler "Sparky" Sparks - Kids made all the different as the Woodlands project began to take shape starting in 1990.
Zach and Marty spreading gravel at the Jackson Forks parking area off Hwy 238. Looks more like Marty was spreading Zach.
Larry Smith's 5th grade class out on a Woodlands outdoor school hike. 5th graders have a hard time picking up their feet on dusty trails.
Jacksonville 5th graders getting trail dusty.
Tyler King coming through the trail dust.
Washing off Trail Dust at the McCully House.
The Woodlands trails are a popular venue for high school running programs. Cascade Christian High School uses the trails several times a week. One kid hollared out as he ran by, "WE JUST LOVE YOUR TRAILS!!"
Trail running by the Cross Country Team from Cascade Christian High School. This photo won a National Photo award from American Trails - 2009
JRM and Brian Mulhollen working on the land deal with Medford City ManagerAndy Anderson that added 10 acres to the Jacksonville Woodlands Trail system next to the Jacksonville Pioneer Cemetery. Both of the boys at the time were sixth grade students at Jacksonville School. Buying the former Medford quarry was Brian's idea. Brian also raised the needed funds to purchase the land from the City of Medford. The boys' efforts allowed the land to be conveyed to the City of Jacksonville. Brian grew up to become a fuels management specialist for the BLM and JRM works for the US Federal Government in a top security post.
Eagle Scout Kyle Vineyard celebrates the completion of his South Fork Jackson Creek Trail building project. There have been seven Eagle Scout Projects completed on the JV Woodlands' 16 miles of trails. Kyle looks great in a uniform. He worked through the BLM to get the necessary permits and permissions. The process took several months before the project could begin. The BLM said that Kyle's uniform made the difference in speeding the process.
Begun in 2002
The famous Fritillaria Gentneri, Jacksonville's signature flower.
Fritillaria Gentneri - one of the rarest flowers in the world.
Frit Gent
Laura Gentner Dunwald discovered the famous Fritillary Gentneri when she was a teenager roaming the hills around Jacksonville. The FG has been listed as a federally protected endangered flower and named after her family. The Gentner's Fritillary is Jacksonville's signauure llower.
JWA Executive director Larry Smith with Laura Gentner Dunwald as Laura shares the story of her discovery.
Laura Gentner Dunwald, even with limited mobility, enjoys getting out in the spring and locating "her" flower.
Laura Gentner Dunwald
Fritillary Gentneri - Jacksonvile Signature flower. One of the world's rarest flowers.
Recurva Fritillaria - the more comom redbell lilly.
Fritillaria Gentneri redbell lilly.
Britt Frit Stop
Britt Frit stop
Britt Frit Stop. A rare find. Larry Smith pointing out a Gentner's Fritillary.
Britt Frit Stop. Curiosity over one of the rarest flowers on earth builds.
Britt Frit Stop.
Britt Fritt Stop.
Britt Frit Stop. Carolyn KIngsnorth checking out Jacksonville's famous fritillaries.
Hanging quilt blocks by the Rogue Art Quilters. Their inspiration was inspired by Jacksonville's signature flower, the Fritillaria Gentneri (Gentner's Fritillary). Photo by Michael Fowell
Christina Duane singing her song, "Oh, Oregon", to one of our biggest crowds in 16 years. Christina wrote the song on the occasion of Oregon's 150th birthday. 2010.
Christina Duane - performing her signature song - "Oh, Oregon" celbrating Oregon's 150th birthday at our16th annual 2009 Hike-A-Thon.
Christina Duane performing at our 16th annual Hike-A-Thon in Doc Griffin Park. April 2009.
Christina Duane performing at our 16th annual Hike-A-Thon in 2009
Christina Duane has produced a CD with a number of her original songs, including "Oh, Oregon". It is available for sale.
Christina Duane feels her music as she sings.
On the lookout for Fritillarias.
Historic Jacksonville is a great place to raise kids!
Happiness in found in the Woodlands
Dee Dee Shields assembling a birdhouse at our 2009 Hike-A-Thon.
Young Matthias Shields showing a group of school kids around the JV Woodlands. Matthias' father is Parks Coordinator for the City of Jacksonville.
Britt Park Stop. All JV kids. Second from the right. Nathanael Shields - his father is Jacksonville's Park Coordinator.
Heading out on a three mile Hike-A-Thon starting in Britt Park.
Hike-A-Thon Hike
Woodlands Hike-A-Thons draw all creatures big and small.
Jacksonville is the garden spot of Southern Oregon. Britt Park is home of the popular Britt Festivals. Overlooing Historic Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley and the Cascade Mountains.
Overlooking Historic Jacksonville. Unparalled beauty!
Wild flower identification. Notice each kid is holding a JWA wild flower guide.
Along with land preservation and trail building, education has been an important program of the Jacksonville Woodlands Assocation since its founding in 1989.
The Woodland's flower guides allow children to learn the names of the more common woodlands flowers.
Outdoor school in the Woodlands.
While out hiking with the school kids we happened upon Laura Gentner Dunwald, the discoverer of the Genter's Fritillary. She was able to tell the kids her discovery story. Larry Smith is shown holding a FG identification brochure that was being used by the kids.
Laura pointing out "her" flower.
Shooting stars - the earliest spring flower to show up in the Woodlands.
Scotch Broom out of control. A non-native that crowds out native plants. JWA has mounted an agressive campaign to eradicate the invasive pest. The state of Oregon has given several grants to hire eradication crews. Looks pretty, but Scotch Broom escapes from planted gardens out into the wild! Much like English Ivy.
Hiking the new Boy Scout-built French Gulch Trail. Hiking into the very heart of the Rich Gulch Mother Lode.
Jacksonville is interwoven with 16 miles of trails.
Gold was discovered in 1851 along Daisy Creek / Rich Gulch. It was the gold strike that founded Jacksonville. The 320 acres of the Jacksonville Woodlands are wrapped around the original gold mines which still exhist.
Jacksonville about 1870 - twenty years after the gold rush.
You meet some great people out on the Woodlands Trails.
Steve and Mary Ann Carlson walked 2,000 miles in 1855 desiring a new life in the newly founded town of Jacksonvile. Steve tried his hand at gold mining and then at storekeeping. (Actually in real life the Carlsons ae professional actors who have retired to Jacksonville and are willing to share their special talents.)
Mary Ann
Mr. and Mrs. Beekman speaking at the 2002 dedication of the Beekman Arboretum.
Larry Smith - Founding Woodlands board member. Has served as vice president, president and executive director. Larry was nominated as Oregon's Teacher of the Year and has won 4 national teaching awards for his work with kids in the Woodlands.
Rich Gulch Trailhead. Hundreds of people from all over the world walk Jacksonville's trails weekely.
Rich Gulch Trailhead. Each trailhead has map dispensers.
Hike-A-Thoners look at the Fritillary found in the Beekman Woods.
Rich Gulch Trail
Hiking out of Rich Gulch
Panorama Point overlooking Historic Jacksonville and the great Rogue River Valley, with the Cascade Mountains off in the distance.
The view from Panorama Point is captivating.
Panorama Point over looking the Rogue River Valley - heading into Rich Gulch.
Heading down into Rich Gulch.
Clibing out of Rich Gulch
Panorama Point overlooking Rich Gulch. Dusty, M, Tyler, and Joe
Dusty, M, Tyler, Joe
Rebecca, Tyler, Joe, M, and Dusty at Panorama Point - one of the highest points on the Jacksonvile Woodlands Trail system.
From Panorama Point on a smoky day. Roxy Ann is the rounded knob at 3,573 feet, with Mt. McLoughlin at 9, 400 feet in the background.
Scene from Panorama Point on a clear day- one of the highest points on the Jacksonville Woodlands Trail system. Roxy Ann left at 3,573 feet. 9,400 ft. Mt. McLoughlin is in the background. The original names for the mountain was: Snowy Butte and Mt. Pitt.
Panorama Point overlooking Historic Jacksonvill
The former Auguste Petard Vineyard. Dry- land grapes at their best. The Petards brought their vintner and mining skills with them from France. Panorama Point can be seen at the top. A trail zig zags down the face of the slope. Much of Rich Gulch was blasted over a 50 year period by 3 generations of Petards.
Panorama Point rest bench. Dusty, M, Sparky, Joe, Rebecca.
Dusty, Sparky, M, Joe, Rebecca
Jackson Forks Trail
Standing at the main gold digging in Rich Gulch
Along the Rich Gulch Trail in the heart of the Mother Lode.
Jacksonville school kids out for an educational hike. With a shovel?
Panorama Point and Rich Gulch
Larry Smith with five of his former students at Panorama Point overlooking Rich Gulch.
Panorama Point. Larry Smith with five of his former students - Dusty, M, Joe, Sparky, Rebecca.
Panorama Point along the Rich Gulch Trail
Rich Gulch hike
Rebecca, Joe, Sparky, M = Glory holes dot the woodlands, evidence of major mining beginning in 1852. This photo was taken before the BLM installed a protective fence around the hole after 2 dogs fell in. A GMC p/up cab is buired in the hole. All told there are 7 cars supposedly buired in the old Glory Holes of Rich Gulch.
Depression era Glory Hole. Part of a GMC truck is "parked" at the bottom. All told there are 7 junked out cars buried in the Woodlands. After two dogs fell into this hole, the BLM placed a security fence around the hole. Joe, Tyler, Rebecca, and M.
One of the seven abandoned cars that has not been buried. At the entrance to the Jane Naversen Trail. A 1950 Nash. Located right on the boundry between private and public BLM Woodlands. Not sure who owns it or where came from. Probably placed to block auto access. The fence wire runs right through the car.
Rich Gulch glory hole - left over from 100 years of mining for gold.
Panorama Point overlooking the Rogue Valley
Brian Mulhollen, Jared Mulhollen, Antonio Miglarese, Danny Moulin.
Jacksonville school kids planting trees in the Britt Woods. 3,000 were eventually planted. The soil was hard!
Jacksonville Shool kids planting trees in the Britt Woods. Danny Moulin, left, is now serving as a Jacksonville police officer.
Danny Moulin planting trees in the Britt Woods. Danny is now serving as a JV police officer.
Brian, Jared, Antonio, and Danny planting trees in the Britt Woods.
Tree planiing in the Britt Woods
Tree planting in the Britt Woods
Tree planting in the Britt Woods. Hundreds of mature trees had died because of drought caused beetle investation. The dead trees had recently been logged. The boys were planting replacement trees.
Jared tree planting in the Britt Woods
Antonio and Danny planting trees in the Britt Woods
Antonio and Danny tree planting in the Britt Woods
Danny tree planting in the Britt Woods
JV school kids working on the Zigler Trail
JV school kids working on the Zigler Trail. Eddie Miller foreground. Tyler King - back.
Eddie Miller planting a post on the Zigler Trail. Sarah Moulin to the right.
JV school kids working in the Zigler Trail
"Lenny"
Zach working on the Zigler Trail parking lot by spreading gravel.
Tomas "planting" numbered post along the Zigler Trail
Brush clearing by JV School kids along the Zigler Trail
Left - Tyler Sparks along the Zigler Trail
Zlgler Trail post planting
JV school kids post planting. The posts have numbers on them that correspond with the Zigler Trail Brochure.
Painting the first Zigler Trail bridge.
"Lenny" Zigler Bridge painting party
Zigler Trail Bridge painting party
"Lenny" Zigler Trail painting party
Larry Smith's 5th grade class from JV School painting the Zigler Trail Bridge.
Zigler Bridge painting party with kids from JV School.
An auto junk yard operated for years along the banks of Jackson Creek. Floods would wash the abandoned cars down stream. This half buried rusting hulk facinated kids. JV City crews removed this old wreck soon after the photo was taken.
Time to head back.
In 1990 Dave Sergent pledged to add these 16 acres of mature madrone trees to the Woodlands Trail system.
Walking Dave Sergent's magnificant canyon.
Sergent Madrone Grove with Elmer Smith.
In 1990 Dave Sergent pledged to add these magnificient 16 acres to the JV Woodlands Trail System. The parcel will connect the Grove with the Beekman Woods.
In 1990 Dave Sergent pledged that these thickly wooded 16 acres would eventually become part of the Woodlands Trail system.
Dave and Mary Sergent's Madrone Grove.
Studebaker brothers - Dusty and M.
Sam Hodder, Trust fo Public Land- 2001 diedication of Ruch Gulch - Hike-A-Thon - TPL helped the Woodlands Association buy 15 acres of land - Panorama Point.
Sam Hodder holding his son Henry. Dedication of Rich Gulch - 2001 - Panorama Point, 15 acres added to the Woodlands!
2001 dedication of Rich Gulch. Hike-A-Thon. Sam Hodges. Panorama Point.
2001 dedication of Rich Gulch and Panorama Point. The Trust for Pulic Land worked two years to bring the land into public ownership.
Sam Hodder of the Trust for Public Lands. Sam worked on the purchase of these 15 acres for 2 years. Funding came from private sources, the BLM and Oregon's Lottery funds for parks.
Tom Parks - former land owner - dedication of the Rich Gulch addition/Panorama Point. 2001 Hike-A-Thon. Tom is also a former mayor of Jacksonville.
Tom Parks - one of the four land owners who conveyed their 15 acres to the Woodlands - 2001 dedication. Panorama Point. Tom is a former JV mayor. Tom has ridden his bike across the US a couple of times.
Rich Gulch dedication - 2001. Missy Rodgers speaking.
Mike Begley - former land owner - 2001.
Rich Gulch dedication - 2001 Hike-A-Thon. Rebecca speaking.
Rebecca speaking at the dedication of Panorama Point Hike A Thon.
Several former Jacksonville students spoke at the dedication of the Rich Gulch addition - 2001.
Several former JV studetents spoke at the Rich Gulch dedication - 2001
Rebecca and M
Tyler and Rebecca
Joe and Rebecca
Mayor Jim Lewis, Genevieve Rasmussen - BLM, Mike and Patricia Begley former landowner. They conveyed their property to the City of Jacksonville - 2001 Ribbon cutting. April 2001
The opening Rich Gulch with the BLM, former land owners, Senator Atkinson, and Jim Lewis, Jacksonville Mayor. And
Ribbon cutting by the former land owners of Ruch Gulch. Former Mayor Tom Parks, Michael and Victoria Korpa, Mark Burkhalter, Senator Jason Atkinson, Mayor Jim Lewis.
2001 Ribbon cutting for the opening of Rich Gulch
Michael and Patricia Begley, former land owners of Rich Gulch, and their daughter. Cinnamon Good Dog, was a successful hike-a-thon fundraiser for many years before his passing. Cinnoman was a GOOD dog.
Michael and Patricia Begley - former land owners of Rich Gulch - April 2001
Former land owners Tom Parks and Patricia and Michael Begley 2001 Rich Gulch HIke
Former land owners Tom Parks and Patricia and Michael Begley - 2001
Hike A Thon at Rich Gulch in 2000 - Frontino dedication
Agust Petard - blue cap, and his sister and members of the Frontino family. Opening of the Petard Ditch Trail 2000.
Mitch Milich and his sister, Helen Frontino. They conveyed their 27 acres to the BLM in 2000. In the background is August Petard III, grandson of the original Petard family.
Mark Burkholder - former land owner - became president of the JWA for a year - Senator Jason Akinson, Mayor Jim Lewis, Genevieve Rasmussen - BLM (and her two boys) and Mike and Patricia Begley - former land owners.
Coming down from Panorama Point.
Rich Gulch
Hike A Thon Start 2000
Because horse owners have taken responsibility for any trail damage and horse droppings, these trail signs were removed in 2009.
Jackson Creek, Britt Woods
Smoke from fules reduction fires. Zigler Trail in the Britt Woods.
Fuels reduction fire. Britt Woods.
Fuels reduction fire. Britt Woods. Over 2,000 acres were eventually treated.
Fules reduction fire. Britt Woods.
Smoke from the fules reduction fires. Britt Woods.
Fuels Reduction crew parking. Britt Woods. Smoke fills the parking area.
Mining tailings.
Gene Hickman, forest ecologist, prepares to enter the underground mine found in the Woodlands.
The mine probably dates from the time of the Depression when mining was last active in Rich Gulch.
The mine entrance has been mostly blocked by an earthen berm.
Just enough space to squeeze in.
The adit extents back about 75 feet. This was a hard rock mine where the miners were looking for white quartz veins.
The entrance is a tight squeeze.
Over the years piles of junk have acculated at the entrance.
Rubble fills the entrance.
Further back the adit is tall enough to stand up. During the winter water collections on the floor. An adit is a "tunnel" that dead ends. You can see light at the end of a real tunnel. But not in an adit.
Large rocks have fallen from the ceiling.
Batts hang from the ceiling, making this old mine a valuable wildlife habitat and sactuary.
Seizan and Noah
Seizan and Noah at the famous Britt Sequoia, an Oregon Heritage Tree planted by Peter Britt in 1862.
Noah and Seizan at the Jackson Forks bridge.
Noah and Seizan
Seizan and Noah at the Zigler bridge.
Zigler bridge.
Sezan makes a header.
Heading practice.
Noah returns the header back to Seizan.
Dribbling in the Woodlands.
Panorama Point, one of the highest vista points overlooking Rich Gulch, the historic town of Jacksonville and the beautiful Rogue River Valley and the Cascade Mountains off on the horizon. The Rim of Crater Lakeis, on the horizon, is above the boys' heads. 7,700 years ago a 12,000 foot mountian would have been seen from this point.
Seizan and Noah enjoying the view of the Rogue River Valley from Panorma Point, one of the highest vista points found along the Woodlands Trails. Mt. McLoughlin (9,400 feet) can been seen poking up to the right of round knobbed Roxy Ann.
Dr. Doug Naversen's Annual Firehouse Run in the Woodlands
Dr. Doug Naversen's annual Woodlands Firehouse Run held every July.
Dr. Doug Naversen's Annual Firehouse Run held in the Woodlands each July.
Several schools use the Woodlands Trails for training and for XC meets. Students from Cascade Christian High School are frequent users.
Cascade Christian High School -
Cascade Christian High School.
Cascade Christian High School boys running team.
Cascade boys
Cascade Christian
Cascade Christian boys
Cascade boys' running team.
Cascade HIgh
Track coaches
Larry Smith's fifth grade classes often took their lessons out in the Woodlands. Here, in 1994, the class is learning the finer art of panning for gold.
2003 Intergenerational Elder Hostel Program. Grand parents were invited to spend the week with their grandkids. This particular lesson was spent down in Jacksonville where Larry Smith, along with a grizzled old real miner, taught the kids how to pan for gold in the exact same location where gold was discovered in 1851.
Searching for the elusive golden flakes.
The kids were encouraged to wear sandals so they could get right into the creek.
The old miners were good. They got most of it. We found one or two flakes.
Hope springs eternal. But alas, riches were elusive.
The Grizzled Old Miner - Gave a great lesson to the kids.
The grizzled old miner. Still digging away at his mine at the edge of Jacksonville. He really knows his stuff and the kids loved his lesson.
Willy - 1999 - One of the most energy filled kids who ever went through JV School. The woodlands afforded Willy an outlet for his emense reservoir of movement.
Willy - the kid loved to move and jump.
Willy
Willy grew up and went into the Marine Corps. Served two assignements in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2008 and 2009. Was a squad leader. Highly regarded by his men. Came back safely.
Will was a big help in the Woodlands during his 5th and 6th grade years.
Willy the tree hugger.
Willy replanting posts along the Zigler Trail. Vandals had ripped out several posts. Willy enjoyed searching for the posts and then reinstalling them. He welcomed challenges.
Willy collecting pulled out stakes for replanting. We had just had a raft of vandalizm along the Zigler Trail. Willy was determined to correct the situation.
Willy having just rescued a vandalized post.
Willy giving his Saturday to help out in the Woodlands.
Willy preparing for a new post hole.
willy preparing for a new post hole.
Willy is now at the University, having served as a US Marine in Afghanistan and Iran, and plans to become a doctor.
Willy always the leader.
Willy running down the Zigler Trail. The kid never ran out of energy!
