This trail has been on my todo list for some time because of its high rating on WTA, but I was a bit concerned about the road condition after reading the previous reports, especially the "big drop" after getting off from I-90. Since I want to be nice to my 15-year-young Civic, after carefully studying the map, I decided to park my car to the north side of I-90 and then walk to the trailhead. So that is what I did. I parked along NF-9034, and walk on road shoulder of NF-55 across I-90. This extra footwork added around 15 minutes one way to my hike. No big deal, right? After all, I was outside for hiking.
In doing so, I was also able to take a close look at this short yet notorious "pothole road". Here is what I found out: The "big drop" soon after I-90 was not as bad as I had feared (See photo. Maybe someone filled in some gravel recently), yet there are quite a few potholes further down the road. As many of these potholes were filled with rain water, I could not tell their depth. I have included a few photos of them. (Actually I took more photos than those, but it seems WTA website only allows me to upload at most 4.) After all, I think I made the right choice for my Civic.
The trail was in good condition. Most of it is wide enough for two hikers. Only a few puddles along the way after the mid week rain, but they could all be easily bypassed, so this was an easy hike compared with my other hikes for the past few weeks. The lake was pretty, as reported many times by other hikers.
When I studied the map before this hike, I noticed there is another trail starting from the trailhead then winding its way under I-90 towards NF-9035 and Asahel Curtis picnic area to the east. (This trail is not shown on Google map, but you can see it on Open Street Map.) I was curious if this offers another parking option, so on my way back, I ventured into side trail. Turned out it is an un-maintained trail (as stated on the plaque at the trailhead), but it was actually not bad. I was able to follow this trail, first under I-90 and then under NF-9035, where I used a slope to get onto NF-9035 and walked back to my car on NF-9034. Compared with this parking option, I think my choice is better.
Comments