Right on the Orgon-California border, heading 900 feet straight up from the trailhead you get some very rewarding views of Siskiyou Pass and Mt. Ashland. Then Mt. Shasta comes into view near the junction of the Lone Pilot Trail. Bear left at the Lone Pilot Trail sign and follow the trail up toward Pilot Rock. As the trail flattens out before finally climbing up to the Pilot Rock junction there is a small unmarked trail on your right. Follow that as it eventually reveals itself to be an old road bed (which can be seen on old USGS topo maps). Follow the road around to the the Southeast side of the rocky mounded hill, where you can then scramble your way up to the 5,321 foot elevation top by heading up the ridge, and around the left side of the outcropping. The south flank of Pilot Rock is literally right in your face. The view is one of the best in the Soda Mountain Wilderness, rivaling Boccard Point further east. A 360 degree view shows Pilot Rock, Mt. Mcloughlin, Lassen Peak, Mt. Shasta, and Mt. Ashland. Wow! Note that this is an unmarked trail and carrying a GPS is highly recommended. Thanks to Hans, a hiker we met at Boccard Point this summer for recommending this great hike.
Access: From the Medford/Ashland area head south on Interstate 5 and take the exit for Mt. Ashland. Follow Old Highway 99 south past the Mt. Ashland road turnoff, toward California. About a mile or so after the Pilot Rock road sign on your left is another small road on your left. Turn in there and bear right around toward the unmarked trailhead. The trail takes off uphill from the parking area.
