Thunder Creek, Thunder Knob & Thunder Woods Nature Trail — Monday, Jun. 19, 2023

I’m sharing this as an overnight since we stayed at Colonial Creek South campground. We took our 3 kids on a trial run of backpacking and stayed in one of the walk in campsites. While not far from the car, about .15 of a mile, it’s uphill to get to it. We had everything we needed in our backpacks besides our tent, a few chairs and little cooler. We started with Thunder Knob on Saturday. Trail was a little busy but not as busy as I thought it would be for a sunny Saturday. Trail is dusty, has roots and rocks, but is done nicely that it doesn’t feel like you are always going up. Views at the top are so amazing! My 3 year old made it almost to the top. Next we did Thunder Woods Nature Trail. When they say steep on the sign, they mean it. The loop is just under a mile and off of thunder creek, so maybe 1.25 total. The trail I don’t think is used often because it is overgrown in places. You do cross a boulder field with some lose rock. But it was pretty in the mossy undergrowth. Has markers 1-16, which is kind of nice and it’s a 1 way going counter clockwise. Today before we left camp, we went out on Thunder Creek to the junction with 4th of July pass. The trail is also a little dusty but also has a few muddy spots. Roots and rocks but has minimal elevation gain. A few overgrown areas with ferns and devils club. If you have balance problems, probably not the best trail or maybe just take it slow. Some wildflowers blooming here and there. There is a pit toilet at Thunder Camp, so you can always stop there to use the bathrooms. And they have ranger talks in the amphitheater at 4 pm. So, if you are there around that time, Ranger Christi was doing a talk on bears.