Beginner and Moderate 3 and 8 mile Hikes along Little Gunpowder River

This will be a two part hike. I want to start doing more like this so beginners can still enjoy our local trails and more advanced hikers can still get in their miles.

We will be hiking along areas that are some of my favorite trails. Pretty views, varied terrain, tiny waterfalls, even some ruins to explore.

We will head South from the parking lot along the river through mostly flat dirt trails. We will take a side trail up a stream and see small water fall about 3 ft tall and a second about 10 feet tall. This trail will wind its way up and down mild hills, eventually returning to the river and back to the parking lot. About 2.5-3 miles for this section and I would call it beginner friendly.

Then we will continue from the parking lot North along the river for a 4.5 mile loop that traverses both sides of the river. There are about 10 hills of 150 feet or shorter height. I'd call this a moderate hike.

Total distance is about 7-8 miles. Much of the trail is sand/mud along the river but the recent dry weather should minimize the mud. The tallest hills are about 150 feet.

Terrain is rocks and roots. Hiking boots are recommended but as long as you are comfortable hiking in them sneakers are probably fine.

Bring at least 1 liter of water.

We'll maintain a pace around 2.5 to 3mph for a total hiking time around 3 hours.

We will step off at 9:45AM.

Dogs are welcome but they must remain on lead and be well behaved.

There will likely be a group lunch afterward at a local restaurant. The last mile of the hike is generally filled with talk of lunch and we decide where to go then.

Simple disclaimer - you're responsible for yourself so if you show up and participate you are agreeing to not sue anybody. Hopefully that's better than the old 800 word disclaimer everyone TLDR'd.