Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
From the kiosk near the playground at the day use parking area, follow the paved path toward a dam at the southwestern tip of Lake Sylvia. Keep right to find the Forestry Trail trailhead and message board; the signed Brownie Trail begins steeply to the right.
The trail passes mostly through second-growth forest of firs, cedars and maples, and was named in appreciation for a local Brownie Scout troop that planted a stand of fir trees along the route. The gain is steady over the first quarter-mile, where trail runners might “enjoy” hill repeat drills.
Don’t panic when you come to unmarked forks in the trail – some are cut switchbacks and others are faint social trails. Think like a hiker and stick to the obvious route. After a mile north and 400 feet up from the trailhead, you’ll reach the junction with the Sylvia Ridge Trail.
From here, you can return the way you came, head right to connect with the Lake Trail that leads back to the day use area, or — with map in hand and the other Ten Essentials — plan a route that stitches together 20+ trail segments covering 20+ miles. These trails have clever names like Espresso Shot, Middle Earth, Pine Winder and The Jungle; they are primarily used by mountain bikers, but hikers are welcome throughout. You’ll find “You Are Here” maps to track your location and stay found.
Trailhead
