Great Esker Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This trail is an old road (paved) along the ridge of the Great Esker, North America's highest esker at 94 ft. which was created 12,000 years ago during the last glacial retreat. Automobiles are no longer allowed on this road. The first 0.5 miles are level and not all that interesting.

At the 0.5-mile mark, the ascent to the top of the esker begins. At about the 0.85-mile mark there are connector trails to the Julia Road Playground parking lot which is at the end of Elva St. From there, the trail ascends to the highest point of the esker and then descends steeply towards the Osprey Overlook Park.

Wood ducks, snowy egrets, great egrets, blue herons. This is also an osprey nesting area.