“Walking is magic. Can’t recommend it highly enough. I read that Plato and Aristotle did much of their brilliant thinking together while ambulating. The movement, the meditation, the health of the blood pumping, and the rhythm of footsteps… this is a primal way to connect with one’s deeper self.”
-Paula Cole
“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Today (8/14/17) marked the third day out of the last four where I have hiked at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. As with the first two hikes, I have never hiked the Red Trail prior to today so I was hoping that it would be as good as the others. Needless to say, even though this one was the longest, I enjoyed it the most. The trail varies from soft earth to rocky and had a minimal amount of ascents. With that said, none of the climbs were that bad.
As I pulled into the parking lot I was met by this wonderful metal sculpture. Just awesome!
Starting on the right just off of the Michigan Road parking lot, you will pass a gate with a kiosk filled with the usual warnings. After looking at the map and reading the section on the Red Trail in Walkable Westchester, they even recommend tackling this hike in a counterclockwise direction.
The Michigan Road parking lot
The Red Trail begins and ends just after the kiosk.
Immediately after the kiosk, the Red Trail starts off level and on soft earth.
As you wind your way through the park, the surface of the trail changes throughout the duration of the hike. Earth, rocks, gravel, this trail has it all.
The one very cool thing about this Ward Pound Ridge is that they have cabins and shelters scattered throughout the park. This one happened to be just off the Red Trail.
Here are some interesting rock formations along the trail.
Happy Hiking!
Summer 2017 Mileage:
8/14/17-6.0-107.32
The Zen Hiker 