Today I hiked from the Red Town Trailhead in two directions. First I hiked a counterclockwise loop to Coal Creek Fall. Starting on the Red Town Trail, I transitioned to the Indian Trail and then took the Quarry Trail up the hill. At the top of the hill the Coal Creek Falls Trail took off to the left and I followed that to the falls. From the falls I continued down to the Cave Hole Trail. Along the way I took a few side trips to the Meadow Restoration Loop (off the Indian Trail) and to the Red Town Dam Trail. I followed this one to the Military Road Trail, which I took to return to the trailhead and eat lunch. Along the way I also found a WTA work party on the Quarry Trail working to improve tread and drainage. Thanks to them for their efforts.
The trail to the falls was at first really just a road for 0.8 miles before it transitioned into a trail lined with moss-covered trees that were not yet opening their buds for spring. The tread was in pretty good shape all the way to the falls, with minor areas that might turn a little muddy in a hard rain. The falls, themselves were really very nice, inviting me to pause a while and enjoy them. After the falls the main trail rises to a height above the creek, with a few social trails that take you down to the side of the creek.
The second part was to cross the road and take the Coal Creek Trail downhill along the stream to the Primrose Trail. The main trail is well maintained, gently graded, with a crushed gravel surface and guideposts at each intersection to keep you on track. It follows the main railroad grade along the side of the hill, mostly well above the creek. There were a number of interesting storyboards with information about the mining communities and the railroad that used to come up the valley to carry out the coal. A short way down the trail there was even an open mine vent (fenced off from entry) to gaze into. The Primrose Trail, on the other hand, was a more steeply graded, dirt surface, with steps and twists and muddy spots. This trail leads down to the side of the creek with moss and, I assume, primroses (when they are in season...not now). It was a deeper woods experience that I enjoyed and passed by Sandstone Falls, which was very nice.
All together, when I include both trail segments and a few side tracks I travelled 8.4 miles and nearly 1100 feet of gain (per Alltrails app).
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