Quick day hike. Arrived to the trailhead at about 11:00AM - lot was full with the exception of the one handicapped spot. Decided to drive up the road about 5 miles just to check the area out. Came across two separate make-shift "gun ranges." Headed back to the trailhead, the 6 spots were still full, but there was a little turn off about 8 feet from parking lot, big enough for two more cars.
I'll echo what others have mentioned, the trail is a hidden gem, for certain. Great trail, minor downed trees though easy to navigate around. Muddy in spots but no snow. Saw two small groups headed in before me, never saw a soul the whole hike. At about mile 3.5, I decided to turn around, as I started to hear faint "pop pop" I wasn't certain of the extent of the trail and it's layout, I didn't want to get caught in cross-fire, I'm sure, over cautious, aside from the beautiful and roaring river down below, the moss covered trees, I was underwhelmed with a desire to continue forward.
NOTE: I'm a long time gun owner, military and LEO, I don't believe there was any present danger with the "range," I simply didn't know enough about the area to want to press forward.
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