Woodland Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

There are tons of thorns and stickers on this trail. There needs to be some serious maintenance done to improve this trail. Also, this trail is not heavily trafficked, and the path itself can become hard to find, especially when there are only a few faint white blazes to help guide your way, in addition to the occasional orange ribbon tied to a tree. Between miles 2 and 3 in particular is poorly marked.

The northern trailhead branches off to the right of the Scenic Trail after a bridge crossing. From here, the trail goes uphill and travels parallel to the Scenic Trail for a short distance. The northern section of the trail (the first 1.5 miles) visits pine woods, rocky stream crossings, and a few overlooks best in winter and early spring. The trail also travels beneath a set of power lines which are constantly popping and zapping. Be on the lookout for eagles in this section. I have heard them and seen their nests but have never seen the birds themselves.

The next section of the trail travels in between the water and the Scenic Trail and makes its way through thick brush. From miles 1.5 to 3.5, the trail is very overgrown with stickers, thorns, and saplings. There are a few breaks in the foliage during the multiple stream crossings. The largest stream on the trail is at 2.5 miles. From mile 2.5 to 3.0, there is a significant lack of blazes and it is easy to lose the trail. This trail is probably the worst kept trail in the Brookville Lake trail system, which is a shame because it has a lot of potential and could be a fantastic backcountry trail with some much needed maintenance. There needs to be new blazes painted on trees throughout the entire trail, and the trail itself needs to be cleared from all of the young plants beginning to grow and conceal the path. I would not recommend this trail in the warmer months unless you love ticks and thorns on your legs.

After mile 3.5, the trail widens significantly and may follow an abandoned unpaved road (I don't have evidence of this) and heads uphill. The rest of the trail offers occasional views of Brookville Lake and is fairly high up. The end of the trail enters another area of pine trees and crosses a small footbridge. The trail intersects the Scenic Trail at the large wooden bridge. Turn left to return to the beginning of the trail. Turn right to head towards the dam and the Eagle Trail.

Eagles, hawks, deer, skunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, chipmunks. I have also seen what I believe are coyote footprints in the snow.