Trail Talk – November 2021

So, our Hunters’ Moon has come and gone for another year. With the skies finally rid of the pesky smoke of summer, we can breathe more easily. The crisp morning air is accompanied by the crisp crunch of autumn’s leaves, and on the crispiest of mornings, the delightful crackle of hoar-frosted mud beneath our clomping feet. Until heavy rains come (no promise in these days of drought), trail surfaces are comfortably damp—the choking dust of the long summer a memory now. Colorful leaves take their place as the stand-ins for Spring’s blossoms. Long walks are more pleasant as we venture farther afield, anticipating the too-soon arrival of Winter’s cold, clammy grasp on our local forests.

Our recent visitors in Jacksonville’s wooded parks have included a wide sampling of folks from around the country. One day, we meet a runner from Florida, another day, a delightful hiker from New Hampshire, and the next, bikers from Colorado. All are impressed that Jacksonville has had the foresight to create woodland parks as a destination for folks with active lifestyles.

In discussions with hikers, we find that they are quite pleased with well-marked trails and frequent “You Are Here” kiosks, particularly in the more remote reaches of Forest Park. The North orientation of the kiosks alleviates confusion when first-time visitors find themselves away from roads. The measured loops (Loop Cards) found at the parking kiosks in Forest Park allow hikers to feel comfortable that they haven’t “bitten off more than they can chew.” These loops also direct hikers to special features in the park.

Recently, biking families with younger riders have asked about trail loops in Forest Park that aren’t too strenuous or steep. A popular suggestion is to park at P3, ride up Norling Road and Jackson Creek Bike Trail to join Canyon Vista Trail and ride East to Naversen Family Trail before descending back to P3. Another popular ride from P3 is to stay on Norling Rd. up to P7, where riders can descend on Twister and Slip and Slide Bike Trails back to P3. And, as always, bike riders should be prepared to yield the right-of-way to hikers.

Along with the new information kiosk at P4, a hiker trail has been extended down to Water Tunnel Bridge. For safety reasons and due to increased traffic at the lower end of Granite Bike Trail, hikers are now asked to avoid the intersection at the north end of the parking area and to use the new trail instead. The addition of a creek side bench near the water tunnel will allow park patrons an opportunity to enjoy the year-round stream there.

In other news, look for improvements coming to Sarah Zigler Trail in the Woodlands. Current plans call for improving the trail bed to eliminate puddles and an alignment of the grade to better accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Most of this work will be carried out by Jacksonville Woodlands Association with help from Eagle Scouts and other volunteers. It’s a wonderful, exciting time to be out on the trails.