Hiking with Doc

20201018 – Blue Rock State Forest

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Date: 10/18/2020 – Distance: 6.3 mi – Elapsed Time: 4.0 hr – Ascent: 682 ft – Descent: 646 ft – Difficulty: Medium

After camping in Blue Rock State Park for the weekend, I decided to head just a short drive north into Blue Rock State Forest and hike some of the bridle trails there. I parked at the Bridle Day Use Parking area which is on Cutler Lake Road just under a mile north of Ridgeview Road. Just make sure you park out of the way of any horse trailers which need more space. I hiked from there south on the White Trail. The White Trail soon intersects with the Blue Trail which I then took. The Blue Trail continues for about 4 miles and ends at Browning Road where I headed slightly south and caught the north half of the Green Trail loop. At about 1.5 miles, the Green Trail intersects with the Yellow Trail which I took to Cutler Lake Road and then slightly north to the trailhead. There are several more miles of other bridle trails in the forest which I will be back for.

The previous day I visited the forest fire tower. Due to COVID, they won’t allow you to climb it unfortunately.
There is an old picnic shelter at the fire tower.
Bridle trailhead kiosk.
Bridle trails map.
Be prepared for some creek crossings.
Some small cliffs along the creek.
Aster.
Hickory nut husk.
Luckily the creeks were not raging due to lack of rain.
The crossing here was to the right.
Burning Bush.
This Burning Bush is still green.
Pine grove.
Horse trails almost always have mud.
Pay attention to the signs.
This crossing was pretty deep. I had to go downstream to find a shallow point.
Trail goes right here, along the road for a short distance and continues on the opposite side.
Trail goes straight here.
Some more exposed rock.
The colors here were good.
Dogwood turns deep red.
Dogwood.
Deer or Turkey scratching the soil.
Trail crosses Ridgeview Road here.
And continues through this long mowed area.
Blue Mist Flower.
At the far end of the field, the trail enters the woods again.
Some Oaks turn brilliant red.
More White Pines.
At Browning Road the trail follows the road south a bit. Then the Blue Trail ends and I took the north part of the Green Trail at the gate ahead.
Sumac. Non poisonous variety.
Brown Eyed Susan.
Coyote poop.
More exposed rock.
Day Use Parking area is just past this curve.
You can see the entrance on the left.
Poison Ivy.
Invasive Privet. The flowers are beautiful though.

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