Trails we have hiked and enjoyed
There are lots of books on the shelf for spectacular trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails. There are books of lesser known and equally glorious hiking trails. The trails mentioned in these books beckon the young and athletic who enjoy while challenging their endurance. But there are also numerous hiking trails for those of us who enjoy a short hike just for the pleasure of walking in the woods. The following are some trails that meet this criteria and we suggest you try.
LIONS TALE TRAIL (George Washington National Forest- Virginia) is short and level that meanders beside a creek through a stand of tall trees, and is designed for people with vision challenges. Whether you have 20/20 vision or not, Lions Tale Trail is a really special interpretative trail where the trail signs are for your ears, nose, and fingers. Try it, you’ll like it.
YAKSO FALLS TRAIL (Umpqua National Forest – Oregon) is one of the numerous trails to waterfalls in the national forests that encircle Crater Lake NP. Across from the entrance to Lake-in-the-Wood campground, Yakso Falls trail starts with little fanfare. We were the only ones on the trail as it wound through towering trees, much of it old growth, and beside fern draped cliffs. The trail ends at Yakso Falls. Not as impressive as Toketee Falls, nor as towering as Watson Falls, Yakso Falls was a quiet, secluded and a wonderful reward to our one-mile hike.
RAINBOW RIM TRAIL (Kaibab National Forest – Arizona) is a flat, easy hike on a multi-use trail (foot, bicycles & horses) through Ponderosa pine forests, meadows and Aspen groves with numerous views into the Grand Canyon. The path along the Rim is a total of 18 miles but can be done in sections. The Kaibab Plateau is covered with one of the most beautiful Ponderosa forests anywhere and Rainbow Rim Trail weaves through those magnificent trees. There are towering pines on one side and the awesome sight of the Grand Canyon on the other and hardly anyone on the trail. Now, this is the way to enjoy both the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.
WEST FORK OAK CREEK TRAIL (Coconino National Forest – Arizona), located just north of Sedona, Arizona, winds through a magical canyon. Above, is the brilliant Arizona blue sky. On both sides are rugged towering cliffs. And under foot, a crystal clear creek flowing over boulders rubbed smooth by eons of rainfall. Numerous pools offer hikers a chance to relax while cooling their feet. Migrating and resident birds bring a flash of color while their songs harmonize with the flowing water. It doesn’t take long to see why this trail is said to be the most popular in Arizona.
BASS CREEK TRAIL (Bitterroot National Forest – Montana), begins just south of Missoula, Montana at the far end of Waters Memorial Campground. This 14-mile trail parallels Bass Creek to the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness. The two striking features noticed by this desert rat during our morning hike were the abundance of wild-flowers in full bloom and the fast-flowing, crystal-clear, icy cold Bass Creek.
INDIAN BOUNDARY TRAIL (Cherokee National Forest – Tennessee) is a pleasant walk around Indian Boundary Lake. There are some indications mountain bicyclists have discovered this 3.2 mile trail since we walked it. The trail winds around the lake over fairly level terrain and is wide enough for a couple of strollers with siblings on their little bicycles.
JOYCE KILMER MEMORIAL FOREST TRAIL (Nantahala National Forest – North Carolina) provides a rare and unique experience in forests east of the Mississippi River. This 2-mile trail meanders through a virgin forest of 400 year old Yellow poplar trees, some with a circumference of 20 feet. In 1936, a 13,055-acres parcel was purchased for an outrageous $28/acre (the going price of land at that time was $4/acre). Soon afterward, Veterans of the Foreign Wars asked the government to set aside a fitting stand of trees to serve as a living memorial to Joyce Kilmer, a soldier and poet, perhaps best known for Trees. It is a most fitting memorial.
Our national forests have long trails and short trails. Some trails are level, others seem vertical. They go up mountains, along ridges, down valleys, across meadows and through forests. Each trail has a beauty and wonder all its own. These were just some trails we have hiked but there are many more trails waiting for you to discover.
