gorge, spectacular waterfalls
Plotter Kill Preserve is a nature preserve near Rotterdam, NY. The Plotter Kill, a tributary of the Mohawk River, flows through a very rugged gorge. The forest here contains a mix of hardwoods and confiers. There are three beautiful waterfalls. The Upper Falls is 60 feet; the Lower Falls and the Rynex Creek Falls are both 40 feet.
Start on the red trail near the kiosk. Take the side trail (blue) which will take you to lookouts over the Upper and Lower falls.
Continue on the red trail which crosses the Kill on a foot bridge. You will pass by the Upper and Lower falls. The trail goes down a switchback taking you to the top of the falls on the Rynex creek. Cross the creek here.
If you have ample time, you can follow the red trail to the end of the preserve near the Thruway. There is a cascading waterfall there. I opted to turn around shortly after crossing the power lines for this trip.
Take Interstate 90 (Thruway) to Exit 25A (Interstate 88). Take first exit ramp right after the toll booth. At the light, turn left onto NY Route 7 (East). After about 1/2 mile, turn left onto NY Rte 337 (North). Turn left at next light on NY Route 159 (West). Drive for 3.5 miles to parking area on the right - just past Coplon Rd.
Schenectady County Planning Department (518) 386-2225
Sera Faulkner (87)
3 months ago
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2 Completed 2 Reviews
Nice views, not too long. Very dog friendly!
Ed Atkeson (36)
7 months ago
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1 Completed 1 Reviews
I hike Plotter Kill Preserve a couple of times a week, rain or shine, all seasons. It's an amazing resource and Schenectady County seems to take pretty good care of it. You can walk 25 minutes and see three world class waterfalls, or go deeper and see the smaller treasures. I keep a blog on the preserve with a trail map, etc. http://hikingplotterkill.wordpress.com/
The biggest loop is five miles. If you go early I might see you there.
Paul
7 months ago
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Completed Reviews
My 7 year old & I walked the red trail approximately 2 miles from Rt. 159 to a yellow trail which ended at a fantastic bend in a river where we had lunch. The total hike was 4.5 miles (3 hours) including a few short walks off trail to wandering creeks & the many waterfalls. For an inexperienced hiker, consider this moderate with the flat trails along the ridge punctuated by a few steep up & downs as you cross the creeks. If you can walk Hadley Mtn or Cascade, you can do this. I would recommend boots due to some mud. I've added some photos of the area http://bit.ly/n5tdb1
AzCm
9 months ago
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Completed Reviews
Beautiful! Several waterfalls that are breathtaking. Be sure to bring a camera. Hiking boots are always a good investment. Research the location, there is an easier way to get there then what is described depending on the direction you are coming from.
Kalei Kosloski (95)
10 months ago
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0 Completed 3 Reviews
little difficult loose rock dead tree limbs but worth hiking
dogs are welcome to the preserve
Kari Savage (216)
10 months ago
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0 Completed 8 Reviews
Always a good time. Nice waterfalls... We saw a dead beaver at the foot of one last time!
JFD
11 months ago
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Completed Reviews
Muddy in spots but nothing too bad. Recommend boots not chocos. 3.5 miles out 3.5 miles back - we did it in three hours so it is a good time - nice level of challenge not too difficult but a nice hike. It is a loop if you want to do that - check the map. I am 38 and in decent shape. If you can hit it in the spring you will get more action on the falls but might have some interesting crossings along the trail. In general highly recommended - even the dry-ish creek beds are cool looking like paved roads (because of the shale). Cool hike in general, do it if you havent yet. 3 hours will do the trick. Dry season (late summer-fall) might be even cooler than wet(spring) but I am not sure. Guessing spring is coolest. Worth a look either way
Courtney Ellis
11 months ago
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1 Completed 1 Reviews
Went here with my boyfriend because we wanted to do something different than a mountain, just to see what it was like. We didn't get there until around 1:30pm, which was a little late to start, as it was quite hot. We followed the red north rim trail and did the loop on the south rim trail and back. There are definitely some beautiful spots on the trail, which is narrow and well-marked. I do wish we had left earlier so we could have explored a little more - including going down to the base of the waterfall closest to the trailhead. It looked gorgeous but the trees blocked it. By the time we'd gotten back to that point though, it was about 5pm and we didn't have the energy to climb down and scale back up. Bit muddy at points but overall a nice workout and a little tough in spots (some very tough uphill stretches).
Paul Kosloski (65)
11 months ago
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0 Completed 2 Reviews
I visit the Plotter Kill often.Its a great place to take some-one that wants to get out and see some great views.I live with in 5 miles of it and like I said go often with friends that want to hike but are not hard core .I would advise that if you want to see the falls from the bottom looking up take some one who has knowledge of the dangers that can be present.Trails are marked well although to seek the views at the bottom of anyone of the 3 falls ,your pretty much on your own .Nice slow pace if you choose should be worth your wild. Bring a camera and common sense .The Plotter-Kill is worth the time !!!!!
Roberta
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
On New Year's day I began my hike at the Coplon Rd. entrance. Taking the red loop trail, I hiked out about 2 miles before I realized, after crossing the creek and seeing a sign for the Mariaville Rd. parking lot, I was not, in fact, on a loop trail. The narrow, well-marked trail consisted of wet snow over wet leaves and made for tricky footing. I applied a technique I learned as a child - in order to resist, dig in your heels for all you're worth. This came in handy when attempting to negotiate the downward sloping portions of the trail. I saw a pair of woodpeckers and enjoyed a quiet, if somewhat damp, hike. The winter calm was occasionally broken by gunshots heard in the distance.
patty
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
My two daughters, my husband, and I went to see the falls - we had heard so much about them - September 26, 2010. Unfortunately, the beds were quite dry, so there were no falls, but the hike was beautiful. We were about a mile in, when I fell going down a slope. Fractured my leg/ankle in a couple of place. Some really nice people passed by and offered help, but I didn't want anyone getting hurt helping me out! Long story, short. Drove back to LI after hobbling out. I was in a cast for 6 weeks and now on crutches. I'll go back - I'd love to see it in its full glory!! Many thanks to all who stopped and offered their support!
Matthew
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
I took the red trail this morning with two teenage boys. We stayed on the RED trail exclusively.... what can I say but HARD. This train has very steep descents and climbs. We hiked the entire red trail, and it took us about 3.5 hours (we got lost a few times. Admittedly, I am a novice hiker, but I am a fit and active man. This red trail kicked my butt! I will definitely do it again, but it is not for the casual hike.
Nancy
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
The trail was muddy today and rocky in places. Our dogs loved it! The waterfall was at full throttle with all the rain recently and it was spectacular. We will go back when more leaves have fallen off the trees for a better view. Use the Mariaville Rd entrance, its easier to get in.
Kim & Jim
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
Great hike!! Beautiful even when the falls are not active. Quiet and peaceful. We took are dogs and they loved it. Can't wait to see it in the fall. It took us 21/2 hrs. to complete it.
Dylan
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
This trail can be very wonderful, especially during the snow melt when the falls are at full throttle. Of note however, the main trail is easy, but can take the many different paths down a hundred feet or so and make it a very difficult one. This place can also be a nice swimming hole during the spring.
The one knock against this area is it is not that safe for your dog off the path. With all the slate around (I forgot because I lived in WA for a while) a dogs pads can be damaged.
Susan
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
Nice trail.
definitely harder than the "easy" rating.
water has almost completely dried up - so no falls to speak of.
We will do this again when there is more water.
Jim and Kim
over 1 year ago
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Completed Reviews
Its a vigourous 7 mile walk. We loved it, we had our dogs and even they were tired. The climb out of the gorge is a real bear, 20 minutes of hard walking. Its definately a great hike!!!
Nash
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
We did this hike today and it was great! A little long and the falls were not at peak capacity but it was still a nice trail, the views were scenic and we had a great time.
Cystle and Jess
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
This was an excellent hike with varying options of difficulty. We like a challenge and got one climbing down the side of a steep ravine to the base of a waterfall, afterwhich we walked down the river bank and met up again with the red trail after the third waterfall. Great places to wade in the water, each lunch and challenge yourself physically.
Marie
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
We brought our 4 & 7 year old here for a hike and had a wonderful time, the trails are very clean. It was very hot out but the trees made for a nice shady cool hike, we went down to the water and let the kids jump in and splash around for a bit. Will surely come back again this summer!
Viewer
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Great hike!!!! Will def be back to explore some more! We went off track and walked right down to the large waterfall base to take some pics!
James
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
What a nice hike. Did this with my wife & son earlier in Spring. There was quite a bit of snow in places, but the trails were mostly dry where the sun was able to reach. The shaded slopes to the falls were quite a challenge, but the efforts paid off with some nice views/photo opportunities. There were quite a few people on the trail by the time we hiked out, and the parking lot was quite a slippery/muddy mess. Take care exiting the lot as cars parked on the shoulders of the road made it quite dangerous spotting on coming vehicles. We will surely revisit this one, a nice family outing.
D
almost 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
i'm a beginner hiker, and with sneakers this took about 4 hrs.
the main entrance of the trail was full of people, but once you got onto the red trail, we only saw about 4 groups of hikers. I was muddy this past wknd, but well worth it.
erica
about 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
i love it there the waterfalls are beautifull it is a great work out very clean and privet
Chris
about 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Went out with the wife and dog last week. Great area, followed the red loop counterclockwise from the Coplon Rd entrance. Got down to the Kill, which was rushing and 15 to 20 feet wide from the snow melt. Had to turn around and go back up the hill, due to not knowing about the blue path over the Kill. Will go back and do again when the water is lower!
Gary
about 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Went out here for a short hike to enjoy the nice start-of-spring weather. The trails still had a fair bit of snow and ice, and a lot of mud between, but the falls were gorgeous with all the snow melt. One of the smaller side streams was still mostly frozen. There is a new map online at http://www.schenectadycounty.com/Plotter_Kill_Brochure_yNYVR.pdf.file, I would recommend printing it out as some of the trail markings have gotten worn down and harder to find.
Temple
over 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
I have been to this nature preserve several times over the years- I implore that you eat a nice large breakfast. I would not suggest you go on this hike without one. I really suggest that the proprietors of the mark the red trial a little better. That red loop is not continuous. Yesterday I was on the red trail all the way around the loop and down a very steep hill, which came to a bottom of where the creek is. The trail does not pick up on the other side anywhere if you should attempt to cross it- leaving you to find your way thru the woods unless you had the sense to head upstream as close to the creek. Even that ends and you find yourself back in the woods directionless. One day you will read of someone dead from exhaustion.
TAG
over 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
I traversed this trail with a friend on Tuesday September 15, 2oo9. It was an easy hike, though I thought, until the next day when i woke and my legs were sore in places i didn't know I had muscles. lol.
We walked quite a bit of the river bed which was dried up in most parts. It was easy enough to find our way back to the trail....I wouldn't suggest people veer off the trail, but walking the riverbed had it's own views and joys!
I liked this hike! It was easy, but walking on rocks isn't so kind to muscles. lol
David
over 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Nice overall hike. I started from Coplon Rd and went in the a northeast direction following the red trail in a counter clockwise direction. I followed the red trail all the way around the preserve to the falls and up to the 159 entrance and doubled back. About 7 to 8 miles. Some great views and close to home. Make sure you check out the scenic trails near the falls.
pwt
over 2 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Nice..great landscape..narrow paths.. so wear good footwear and then some folks had kids who went off the path and all 5 kids got stunk by bees..or wasps and were screaming bloody murder..then ran out back of the preserve.. thus why I tell folks stay on the path for a reason..but good for dogs .one person didnt have her dog on a leash and I had to tell her to put them on a leash as I was walking my alpha male jack..didnt want a dog fight in the woods but awesome gorge and waterfalls.. creek was beautiful too.
AJ
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Just hiked the trail yesterday per the recommendations made on this site. As noted by Adrienne above if you complete the entire red trail loop it is MUCH longer than 2 hours. We hiked in from Rt 159. We hiked the entire North Rim (if you reach the fence and can see/hear the thruway you missed a hairpin turn to the right a ways back that keeps you on the red trail recrossing the creek and heading up a very long, steep hill to the south rim trail). On the south rim, we decided to keep going to loop back to the north rim versus heading out to the Copland road entrance. We crossed 2 sets of powerlines and a similar field both in and out. The trail was steep and muddy in places but overall I would hike again but prepare for more time.
ZS
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
This was a very good hike. We followed the red trail and entered from Route 159. We hiked and saw the falls which were beautiful. We climbed down next to the first big falls you see, very steep and slippery but well worth the view from the bottom. We kept following the red trail and about 1 1/2 hours into it we saw that we can continue or turn back around. Since we didn't have the entire day free we decided to turn back, but apparently we could have continued but it would have been a much longer hike. overall 2.5 hours. This had some steep areas so a great workout, very muddy after all the rain so make sure to wear appropriate hiking boots. Very nice!!
Julie
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Hiked with five kids aged 5-10. We came in from Coplon Road and hiked the red trail all the way out to the barbed wire fence and then back. The big waterfall and the cascade pools are terrific highlights for kids. They were excited to spot frogs, newts, and garter snakes along the way. If you want to do the whole red trail, pay close attention after crossing the second clearing. There is a hairpin turn you need to take that isn't clearly marked. You only know you've passed it when you stop seeing trail markers and eventually run into the barbed wire fence. Our out-and-back took about four hours, and everyone was good and tired (and wet!) at the end of it.
Jess
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
I must admit that the red trail was quite a bit longer than anticipated. It took me about 2 hours and 45 minutes total and there were times when I wondered if I might be lost. With that being said, the trail is beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went on a June weekday and only passed a few people. My dog was able to run free and stop several times to drink as we crossed back to the water frequently on the red trail. Good times!!
marina
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
if you are a bit adventurous, climb down the right side of the rynex creek falls, which is the second of the falls you will come to if following the red trail. The views from the base of the falls are well worth the effort, and the other small waterfall is just around the bend to the right... breathtaking
Meghan
almost 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
This is beautiful. If you start on the Coplon Road entrance it is a harder hike. That is what we did and we were so glad. The route that comes in from 159 is very easy. The waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous and being able to get so close to them (on top of one basically) is amazing. The trails are marked VERY well. I can't wait to go again.
Adrienne
about 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Very beautiful place! Based on what I read above I was expecting the Red trail to be a 3.5 mile loop which could be done in 2 hours total. After 2 hours we weren't even half way around, according to the map, and we aren't slow walkers. Just be aware that the whole Red trail loop is a 1/2 day to full day trip depending on your experience level. I wish the map would give the total distance for each colored trail.
Jeff and Karen
over 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Just returned from snowshoeing the South Rim up to the falls. Pretty easy but a good workout nevertheless. Beautiful, cold day and only saw four other people. Saw some ski tracks down the power lines and I'm wondering if anyone has done this and can comment. Looks like it would be a blast.
Mark
over 3 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Been to plotterkill over a dozen times now, and I simply enjoy it. Trails are marked very clearly, and the falls are amazing in the early spring.
Andrew
almost 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
The Most awsome Single track For MT,Biking Around....After One year of riding the trails I'm Now Able to ride 90% of the Big loop. 10% is Just about impossible HAHA.
Lou
almost 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
Best to use a GPS and use these coordinates:
N 42.82553 W 74.05165 (No rounding to the nearest #)
- Had a great time, it was the first time for me and I have to admit that if you don't have a map, you're going to feel a little exposed but the trails were marked which was great. Went there and only managed to get around for about 20 minutes before realizing that it would be best to turn back and head home before the thunderstorm rolled in. Have fun and I can't wait to go there again. Scotia (rt. 50) to Plotter Kill was about 10 minutes.... Really really close... just drive as if you're going to the Rotterdam Mall.
Eric
almost 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
awesome place.. been there probably well over 100 times in the past 8+ years, so its not as 'beautiful' as it once seemed lol, plus the main rt159 entrance is usually packed full and sometimes i find it unenjoyable when theres tons of ppl there, especially when they are being loud and obnoxious.... the falls are great in early spring or after a storm.... as for the coplon entrance, i used to love that one and i went to it for the 1st time in a couple years.. its great that most ppl do not goto that one and also, deer like to graze in the fields by the parking lot which can be a nice sight... but be careful in this part.. all that tall grass and plants (some of it waist high.. or taller) is a haven for ticks.. i was covered in them!! bewar
Dfobes
almost 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
personally, i love the place. its tru that the river does run low around mid summer, but i think it might be jus because people keep throwing rocks in the river to make bridges. other then that, its a beautiful place. many different terrains, i prefer to stay between the powerlines and the entrance. id sugjest this palce to anybody who likes to climb up and down steap hillsides because it contains a lot of them.
Chad
almost 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
My wife and I hiked this on 5-24 with our pug. We spent most of our time hiking down the creek bed and then sliding down the hillside to get to the bottom of the falls. The waterfalls were spectacular but the third set of falls was nearly completely dried up. The other two were gorgeous and made for some very nice pictures. We didn't hike the entire red loop but I do recommend that you print out a copy of the map of this trail as it did come in handy at one point for myself and two other groups I met on the trail. I can't wait to take my kids on this hike in the next couple of weeks.
df2
about 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
NB the time and distance estimates above are not for the full red loop - we did the loop from formed by the red trail on the N & S sides of the gorge, cutting over from S to N to get back to the trailhead, and it was about 4 hours, hiking at a moderate pace with a few short stops.
df
about 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
amazing the difference a few weeks makes....I went yesterday, 4/26/08, & the falls were all pretty dry, trails were completely dry & stream crossings were easy. no sign of any ice or snow anywhere. trails seem to be very well marked all around so maybe a crew has been through to repaint since the earlier reviews.
Virinder S
about 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
The hike is very nice (I did the southern rim). The falls are beautiful and peaceful to sit by. I had trouble following the red trail, as other people have mentioned. I took the Coplon entrance, but I missed the trailhead (it's off to the left of the parking lot) and just walked along a steep path down to the stream, and then just followed the stream all the way up to the two falls. It is fairly rocky if you do this, but at least you get to the base of the falls (I don't think you can do this following the path alone). I did eventually find the path (it's easier to find on the Mariaville entrance), and I think it's fairly easy to follow. Just be patient, look around, and you'll usually find the next red marker.
Suzanne
about 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
A very nice hike. We would definitely return later in the spring--yesterday (4/5), the trails were very soggy and wet where they weren't icy and slippery, so we had to really watch our step. If you park at the Coplon road entrance and follow the red trail, be forewarned that as of 4/5/08 there is no footbridge across the river, which, though shallow, is probably 10 feet across and rocky. Be prepared to ford it, Oregon-trail style. From the parking lot off of 159, it was too icy for us (wearing trail running shoes) to follow the red trail down to the footbridge, but the blue trail was perfectly lovely (if wet and slippery, too). Those with cleats or better gear might have fared better.
CASEY
over 4 years ago
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Completed Reviews
I think this is a great local area to hike but would really like to see better trail markings & info. We thought it was a easy,short hike but found ourselves trapped on the other side w our only options to try a river crossing & get soaked or hike all the way back the way we came & do that, trying to beat darkness. The trail we ended up on seemed much longer then anticipated & we weren't prepared for a nite hike. I'll never do this hike again w/o being better prepared. I don't know if we got off on the wrong trail or what but we're avid hikers & if we got messed up I'm sure any one could. This could have been scary & dangerous for anyone w/ small children. If the markers haven't been update i strongly urge them to do so.
Zory Sherman (83)
about 1 month ago
1 Completed 1 Reviews
Very nice and easy trail. Still wet in some spots