Another pack-training hike today, this time along the Coal Creek Trail. We started at the Red Cedar/western trailhead on Coal Creek Parkway SE and took the Coal Creek Trail to the Red Town trailhead, though we took the Primrose Trail on the way back where the trail splits.
THE ROAD / PARKING
We got to the trailhead around 9:30. It was a gloomy Saturday, and we got one of the last few spots, though there were several open spots when we returned around 12:15.
There are 2 port-a-potties at the trailhead. The one I used was in pretty good shape, with plenty of toilet paper, though the hand sanitizer dispenser is out of service.
THE TRAIL
The trails were overall in alright shape, though incredibly muddy today. It rained on and off today on our hike, and it was noticeably more muddy on our hike back to the car, so I was really glad to have my poles. The box steps we came across were waterlogged, and some of the steeper trails were pretty slippery.
Other than the mud, there isn't a whole lot to say about the trail. With the rain upcoming, I'd bring poles if you're clumsy like me, and keep an extra pair of socks and dry shoes in the car.
MISC.
All of the falls we passed were rushing today! The ones at the top of the Primrose Trail were literally shooting out like a firehose a couple of feet out. It was very cool, though difficult to capture in a photo (got a nice video though).
We took our time today (why not get used to carrying the 35+ pounds, right?) so read all of the interpretive signs and looked around at the cool stuff there was to see. Unfortunately, some of the wind storms seem to have taken down a few trees that have affected a couple of the features (the train turntable and the log flume in particular). The signs were all still there though, and super interesting to read about the vegetation, ecosystem, and history of the mining in the area.
It was pretty quiet, though we did run into a number of folks. For the most part, we had the trail to ourselves. This is really a great hike for a rainy day.
Comments