Hiking the Mad Hatter Trail in the Fall

Hiking the Mad Hatter Trail Writers’ Cramp

While hiking on the "Mad Hatter Trail.
High above the Ashland hills
On the autumn equinox.

Wearing the male “Oregon uniform”
Red "Pendleton" flannel shirt,
Khaki pants, Oregon Ducks baseball cap.
Hiking boots, Scruffy beard.
Going for the “Hipster, lumberjack” look.

Enjoying the scarlet autumn splendor,
The crisp cool weather
Enjoying the smoke-free day.

I heard rustling in the bushes.
I saw five of the friendly Ashland deer,
A whole family smiling at me.

I smiled back at them.
Took a few photos,
Posted on Instagram.

Suddenly, I had the coffee “Jones”
I hiked back into town
Through Lithia Park.

Saying “good morning”
To my fellow Ashland “hipsters”
On the trail.

I drank a snarling
Hot cup of fully loaded coffee.
At “Case Coffee Roasters,”
Followed by a cold Kombucha.

Thinking, what wonderful
Autumn day it had been
In the Rogue Valley,
The gem of Southern Oregon.



Write a story or poem must include these words/phrases:

autumn equinox, rustling, flannel, scarlet, coffee

REMEMBER to make the prompt words BOLD or COLORIZED.


Author Notes

One of my favorite hikes in Southern Oregon is the "mad hatter" trail that is the hills overlooking Ashland. The Ashland deer are very tame and are a nuisance, actually, although cute. One has to be careful hiking as there are mountain lions everywhere, as well as bears in the hills. Ashland is a pretty college town, home to Southern Oregon State University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.