Lord Hill... Oh, Lord Hill.

You've come recommended to me by acquaintances, social media posts, and others.  You have gentle elevation changes, many intersecting paths to make for any length hike, even water to play at.  It made me think of my current regional park bestie - Cougar Mountain.  I had high hopes.  I thought we'd be a good match.

But twice now, you have disappointed me.  You start with a wide, clear path that leaves no doubt about where they stand, but then I tried to get to know your west arm a bit better.  Past Springboard and over by West and North and South Loop.  And you revealed your confusion, your convolution, your frustration-inducing profusion of tiny, unlabeled side trails.

You might lure the unsuspecting in with a map at your front entrance - a map that is, may I say, less than helpful and you might want to get professional assistance from a good graphic designer and maybe some cartographers.  That map doesn't help when there are more intersections than on your map, and when the more "main" trails are not identified on Google maps while the more minor ones are.  The map doesn't help when there are few trail signs in the park.  And it certainly doesn't help when the trail names are labeled on the map haphazardly halfway between two trails so you have no idea which is which.  Did I mention that a graphic designer might be able to help you?

Your kiosks, placed at various places along the Main Trail have a wonderful map, showing your primary features and your primary trails - leaving out all the other interconnected traps of trails to traipse through tempting one to make a lovely loop but getting lost instead. 

Clearly, you are beloved by many hikers and mountain bikers alike.  Your trails - though sometimes overgrown and very narrow - look worn with love.  Well, at least worn with tire marks.  So perhaps I simply need to give you more time, more chances, and a better GPS system for making my own map.

Fortunately, I eventually got through exploring the lovely mix of coniferous and deciduous trees so familiar to the area on your west arm, though the opposite direction I had intended, and was able to make my way in the direction of the water.  I hoped that perhaps the south-western portion of your routes would prove to be better labled, less spontaneous, and actually correlate to useful portions of the map.  It was not to be so.  

But, I'm learning your ways, and I changed my original plan for a "eh... it looks like this will get me to the water, I think" plan.  And indeed, through a combination of mountain bike highway (really, they were going at least 35mph through there) and trail wide enough for my shoes which is still overgrown and brushy, I was able to reach the river.  

I must say, you have a nice river there.  A bit of lovely sand, but mostly rocky beach.  It doesn't extend far in either direction, but there's a lovely stand of blackberry along the shore that's just starting to ripen well.

Weary of your twists and turns, I merely took Main Trail all the way back to the north parking lot.  Our visit was a bit draining, mentally more than physically, and I was ready to know where I stood. 

Perhaps next time I will visit your ponds, as I here they can be interesting.  I hope your east side isn't as confusing as your west.

Needed to get out in the woods, but didn't feel like a hike. A walk sounded better. I know just the place!

Haven't done an all-dayer here for awhile, so thought I would do the Western Loop and just mosey around. Got there at 10am to a half full lot, and left at 7pm to a quarter full lot. Guess that qualifies as all day.

The Startup Trail is in great shape - ironically, now that's it's CLOSED. At the top, I cut over to the Second Spring. The ferns need brushed, but it looks like the trail is getting some regular use. It had been in danger of disappearing.

Speaking of disappearing, the Ridgeside is in danger of just that. It's billed as a primitive trail; but right now it looks like one of those old, abandoned trails. Easy enough to follow, but very overgrown. Needs a good brushing just to maintain trail status. Don't wear shorts...

The Riverview is in great shape, although I found some trash for the first time at the viewpoint. Watched a bald eagle feeding a pair of juveniles across the river. Noisy. Got to the Quarry Bowl and chilled for a bit under the cedar, then headed north on the Midway.

Midway S. is in great shape also, although there is no water in the stream. Took the opportunity to fix one of the crossings. Hopefully someone leaves it alone this time so it doesn't continue to erode the bank.

Chilled for awhile at the Viewpoint, and worked on a cedar knot I found on the trail. A half hour with a sharp stick and I got it looking pretty good. And to think people were kicking it down the trail! Sometimes, you don't see the beauty, simply because you're not looking for it...

Midway N. still has the "bridge" out over the creek near the start. Plenty doable, just pick your way carefully. Cut over to the Midway Cutoff so I could come out at the white gate by the horse lot. All clear; in fact, it looks like it's getting a lot more use. (it's a handy shortcut.)

It was a great day in the woods! With the deluge yesterday, it was a humid day, full of woodsy smells. Free aroma therapy! I am now ready for the work week...

Put in some miles on the trails. Examining trees, saying hi to frogs, and what not haha. All the trails we went on today were in great shape, no downed trees or muddy areas. Everyone was friendly, as it usually is. Did see a bit of glass in the parking lot, so just like the hiking trails be sure not to have desirable things in your car. Make sure to take a picture of the trail map when you head out, then you will be able to navigate the maze in a loop fashion!

We parked on the south parking lot and went 4.5 miles round trip with 5 kids.  little bit of climb but not bad.  don't forget bug spray if mosquitoes like you. this is a perfect hike if you like to be alone in the woods.  we did not see anyone on the trails except by the river.  this place has many different trails so you can come and hike multiple times and it will not be boring. 

Pics from the Viewpoint today...