4/30/25

I did some more exploring from the main camp circle in Hawk Recreational Area. This includes Blue blaze, Creek Trail, Harness Trail and yellow blaze, Lost Hunter Trail.

Parking: I parked on the side of the road right outside of the main camping circle.

I took the blue blaze right from parking back to what I’m calling the Creek Trail.

I saw horse prints and poo through out the area. And quite a few different colored/aged flagging tape up. I assume this area is heavier trafficked in the summer. It really is gorgeous, quiet, serene, and a particularly enjoyable ride. It’s also hoof friendly and I’d like to bring Pip out in the near future. He will be ponied from Simon but does not have shoes or boots (Simon’s spares do not go on his feet at all).

Sunday when I spent time in the area I saw a snake. Monday I saw a turkey. Today I saw another snake. I also picked 5 ticks off of Willow afterwards. I need to check Simon over too.

Creek Trail, which I think might actually be called Harness Trail, ended at a T. Yellow blaze, nice and wide and lovely grassed. I went right, going up through the switch backs. It was a mild easy climb and a hardly noticeable decent on the way back.

This trail ended at another T. There is a sign at the T, facing where I had come from. It appears to be telling me I am coming from Harness Trail. I need to reference the forest service map to have a better idea.

I took a right and followed what I believe is called Lost Hunters Trail a short ways to a fire gate and the road. The same one I am parked on, just further down. There was a camper parked there. And an empty spot across the road. I might try parking down here next time. The trail I am on appears to continue across the road.

Looking at the tracking map it looks like I should be able to ride right along the road and circle back down closer to the end of Creek Trail.

I turned around and headed back past my turn and explored in the opposite direction. It again splits.

Baring slightly right is a well worn track going into denser forest.

The other track is less dominate and in heavy leaf litter. It bares left. I turned around to head back and saw a sign directing the trail.

Looking at the tracking map when I got home it appears one of these two trails meets up with the end of Creek Trail. I am going to have to explore that.

I turned to head back and noted this area is covered in blueberry plants.

When I reached the left hand turn back onto Creek Trail I kept going straight in the direction I had not explored yet. It is a wide grass trail, and I need to check it out closer later.

I headed back towards home, stopping to play with Willow in the creeks and hiking along with Simon for some of it.

It was a good ride.