Briar Hill Preserve

Surface: Mown grass/lawn; after the Wildlife Observation Blind it can get muddy; hard-packed dirt; wooden boardwalk over a very muddy section.

Distance: 0.35 miles each way to the Briar Hill Preserve boundary.

Gradient: Flat and then sloping away from the parking lot at 8-10%. A 5% incline after the Wildlife Observation Blind.

Width: A massive lawn; wooden boardwalk is 30” wide and requires a 6” step up and then down.

Cross slope: Minimal, except for the final section before the Briar Hill Bridge, where it is moderate.

Benches: One, at the Wildlife Observation Blind.

Shade: Some in the warmer months.

Drainage issues: Muddy section near the preserve boundary.

Obstacles: Metal grated footbridge; muddy section with wooden boardwalk over it. 

Surface: Hard-packed dirt with some exposed roots.

Distance: On the right, 0.2 miles to the intersection with the Keystone Trail. On the left, 0.3 miles to the ‘x’ intersection with the Hummingbird Trail. 0.1 miles on the straight-line connector.

Gradient: Less than 2% to the right. To the left, a consistent 5-8% incline. Straight line connector: mostly flat with a 5% decline to the right (southeast).

Width: 10” well-trodden trail; up to 40” available.

Cross slope: Minimal.

Benches: None.

Shade: Almost complete in the warmer months.

Drainage issues: Two significant muddy patches. Some channeling 0.2 miles to the left.

Obstacles: Occasional exposed roots no higher than 2”. Short wet creek crossing to the left with small informal stepping stones available, followed immediately by a short, 15% incline over slick dirt with a significant cross slope. Boardwalk bridge at the intersection of the Hummingbird and Wood Thrush Trails which is made of wooden planks and is 53” wide, with 1 ½” high edges on both sides, and requires a 5” step up onto it and then 5” step down off it.

Surface: Hard-packed dirt with some exposed roots; trampled grass.

Distance: 0.16 miles each way.

Gradient: 15% incline from the boardwalk/three-way intersection to the left (northwest), continuing up beyond that section at about 5%.

Width: 10” well-trodden trail; up to 40” available.

Cross slope: Minimal.

Benches: None.

Shade: Some.

Drainage issues: None.

Obstacles: Boardwalk bridge at the intersection of the Turtle Trail which is made of wooden planks and is 53” wide, with 1 ½” high edges on both sides, and requires a 5” step up onto it and then 5” step down off it.

Surface: Hard-packed dirt with some exposed rocks near the wooden boardwalk.

Distance: 0.16 miles. 0.04 miles to the intersection of Keystone Trail; 0.12 to the intersection of the Turtle Trail.

Gradient: Less than 2%.

Width: 12” well-trodden trail; up to 40” available.

Cross slope: Minimal.

Benches: None.

Shade: Complete in warmer months.

Drainage issues: None.

Obstacles: Short section full of exposed rocks; exposed rocks and roots; moderate to severe cross slope.

Surface: Hard-packed dirt with some bumps and exposed roots and rocks up to 4” high along the ‘stick’ of the lollipop. Mown grass around the loop.

Distance: 0.8 mile lollipop.

Gradient: 5-8% downslope on the segment between the Wood Thrush Trail and the Turtle Trail. Frequent sections of 12-15% incline in the ‘stick’ of the lollipop. Less than 5% around the loop.

Width: 26” on the ‘stick’ of the lollipop; 64” around the loop.

Cross slope: Moderate to severe in places.

Benches: None.

Shade: Complete in the warmer months along the ‘stick’ of the lollipop; little to none around the loop.

Drainage issues: Minor channeling after the Turtle Trail intersection; three significant ruts across the trail along the ‘stick’ of the lollipop.

Obstacles: Short section full of exposed rocks; exposed rocks and roots; moderate to severe cross slope.