Trail Talk – May 2023

Well, with our tardy Spring season finally awakened, we can get up and get out amidst the annual wildflower show along our local trails. Only time will tell, but with the later seasonal outpouring of the native blooms along our byways, perhaps Summer will also arrive a bit later, allowing the show to go on. Regardless, we are certainly surrounded by beauty, and as the snowpacks retreat, we look forward to hiking ever higher to enjoy the flowery splendor.

After another fairly dry winter during our enduring drought, the trails in the Woodlands and Forest Park are in excellent shape. Our volunteer trail crews have spent countless hours pruning, leveling, and grading in anticipation of a busy hiking season. Some of the more popular multi-use (hiking and biking) trails were widened to better accommodate two-way traffic. A few steep, slippery grades had steps or winding turns added for safety and erosion prevention.

Though the snowy days lingered long past their welcome, much like houseguests unwilling to vacate the premises, at no time did we have the heavy bombardments of years past that have felled so many trees. In many ways, it seemed like a quiet winter in the woods; the crunch of leaves on trail surfaces was muted while the streams ran steady, chattering, never boisterous, like agreeable companions as we hiked along.

The blacktail deer and wild turkeys in the lower park areas are preparing to show off their youngsters, while infrequent encounters with black bear and cougar are possible in the higher elevations. Mallard chicks will soon paddle around the old reservoir in Forest Park, and the early morning visitor might catch the soft hooting of a Great Gray Owl pair in the upper canyons.

Both the Woodlands and Forest Park are expecting to see some fuels reduction work in the coming months. Areas of concern are being identified to do some clearing and thinning of fuels, while, at the same time, preserving as much natural habitat as possible for our native critters. It’s too early to speculate which trails may be impacted by the work, but park visitors should keep themselves savvy to notices posted regarding these closures. Keep in mind, they’re all temporary.

Last month I recommended a riding loop in Forest Park that has become popular with many bikers. This month, we’ll do the same. Starting at Parking Area P4, ride down onto Ridgeview Trail and over to Norling Road. Follow the road up to Parking Area P5. (For a longer loop, follow Ol’ Miners’ Tr around the hill and head uphill to return on Boulder Trail to Norling Road.) From P5, follow Canyon Vista Trail to Jackson Creek Bike Trail. Here, you can choose to follow Canyon Vista to Naversen, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Granite Trails, or you can head down Jackson Creek Bike Trail. Just above Norling Road, the trail cuts slightly uphill and parallels the road to Naversen Trail, where you can re-connect with Ridgeview Trail to return to P4.

Enjoy your Spring in the parks.