Friday, Jan. 30-started from expansive southern trailhead parking. Complete with a clean Honey Bucket and Info Board w/map. Lovely 5 mile loop w/1,000' gain along ~10 different named trails. Yup-muddy, but no flooded areas and trails all cleared of downed trees.
This T/H is also the start for equestrian visitors so expect and watch out for 'road apples'. Lots of little creeks running but easy step overs. Some ducks on the 4 ponds we hiked past:Beaver Lodge Pond, Crossroads Pond, Dragonfly Pond, and the largest, Temple Pond.
On this moist Friday (full rain gear from the start) we met one hiker on the trail by Temple Pond, he was scoping out fly-fishing opportunities.
Forest of mixed trees, rainforest quality moss on some, evidence of woodpeckers on the dead ones, and generally all beautiful on this winter day.
Have hiked here lots and visited a few trails for the first time on this loop including forested, feel like a million miles away Panther Ridge trail.
Our route took us on these trails in order:Steamshovel Trail>westward on Quarry Trail (around Beaver Lodge Pond) >west on River Trail Cutoff>River Trail>Main Trail Road (a truck passed us)>north on Pipeline Trail>Sherwood Forest and views of Temple Pond>Temple Pond Connector>Temple Pond Trail>across new Logan's Bridge (nice!)>Panther Ridge Loop>Pipeline (down The Beast)>River View Quarry Rd>car.
Anyone know who "Loren" is: loved the new bridge over that mucky crossing and a trail is named after Loren. Thank YOU to whomever cleared all the downed trees!
A great day outside in nature.
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