Blackhawk Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Wildflowers

Muddy and sandy trail! Bring big lugs if there's been any moisture in the last month, and maybe even in the midst of a drought as horses can be a little hard on the tread.

From the barn, the most obvious trailhead - with a sign even - is just a little west (left) on Vineyard road. The trail intersects the Pines Trail, along with several others as well as a few abandoned and/or social trails, so beware. So long as runners avoid following a trail with a sign other than "Blackhawk Trail," they should stay on route.

Bearing straight up the hill, a steep climb eventually opens into a clearing. Runners can continue straight along the south (left) side of the clearing, or to the right to stay on the Blackhawk Trail.

Sticking on Blackhawk, the trail climbs a little further before eventually making a very steep, technical descent towards the horse camp. The trailhead at the horse camp is not marked, and just south of the first "entrance" another trailhead goes back into the woods, eventually connecting with the much-longer Yellow Trail. The Yellow Trail crosses vineyard road; those uninterested in running too much further should follow the road south (right) back to the barn, or double back the way they came.

Again, beware of the several intersecting trails. It's an easy route to get lost, which can be a good and fun thing so long as it happens at the start of the run and not the end.

Many beautiful plants dot this trail especially in the spring and early summer, but they give way to nettles in by midsummer. High socks do wonders for keeping them at bay as trail trimming is fairly minimal.