So, after numerous weeks/months of being too worn out from partying the night before working, I actually got back on the trails on Saturday!
I decided to head over to the park that is closest to my location, that being Brandywine Creek State Park, which is about a 10 minute drive from where I live. The falls leaves were out in splendid color, and the air was brisk, but with a nice bright sun. Perfect for a quick hike in the woods! I decided to do two trails, the Indian Spring and the Hidden Pond (at 1.9 and 2.0 miles, respectively). I know the deadline for completing all the trails is fast approaching, and now the majority of the trails left for me are a good 2 hour drive from home, so it's going to take a little more pre-planning and dedicated timing to get them done- even if i have to do them in the snow!
Both the Indian Spring and the Hidden Pond start at the visitor center and cross some of the same terrain before splitting off, then coming together again from different directions, allowing you to experience the same areas from different angles. I finished the Hidden Pond loop first, which brought me back to the Visitors Center (good thing, too, because I totally missed where the Trail Challenge punch was and had to get mine done by the nice folks at the Visitor's Center.)
Then, I continued on and did the same beginning portion for the Indian Spring Loop, which allowed me to take on the rather steep (yet, quite beautiful!) hill overlooking the river. I found the punch for this one soon after, and now have just the Rocky Run trail to do at a later date.
Now, you won't see this view from any of the Trail Challenge trails, but it's worht a short drive up the hill to see this:
Till the next Trail,
Tim
