Mule Mountain trail and Mule creek trail

I headed up solo from Jackson Campground to try out something new- the mule mountain trail.  I've seen it on my way up to Applegate lake and always wanted to try it.  There are two ways to reach the trail head.  One is a small trail just off Upper Applegate Road the second is a road, it looks like you could drive to the trail head- if the gate is open.  It is private land you have to cross through with either access point.  On the map below you can see that I accessed the trail on the way up and came out the road on the way down.  

Here is the trail head below.

Sunrise over Mule Mountain.

After you make your way through the Pine forest at the bottom of the trail you will see the exposure change and transition into an oak woodland.

Things get pretty steep at this point and the trail is very narrow.  There was one place I had to walk over because it was too rocky to ride over.  Just about all of the trail I was able to ride up.  

Once you reach the top, there is a trail that will take you to the peak although it didn't look like it has been used very much.

Here you could take the trail to the peak, if you can find it.

Great views with the meadows.

After I reached the ridge, I headed down the trail, where there is a brief connection with a road, then dove off on Mule Creek trail. 

Mule creek trail needs some major maintenance on it.  Bring your clippers, especially on the section that connects back to Mule Mountain trail.  Also watch the turn- there are some small diameter trees that cross the trail that mark the turn off to get back to Mule Mountain.  There are a few flags that I missed as well.  I blew by the turn off and made it to a gate "no trespassing" and had to turn back.  

This was an adventure and a challenge.  I ride solo all the time on trails that I have been on before.  In retrospect, I think it would have been a good idea to have my riding buddy with me.  Sure I had a cell phone- with spotty service, I felt quite isolated at times and as I looked down the mountain as I was climbing to the top I thought- no mistakes allowed!  When navigating foreign territory it is extremely important to have someone to discuss the situation, the challenges, your direction the course you are taking.  The TEAM approach applies here and in all situations.