Sunset Trail (Stonebridge Section)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek

The southern portion of the Sunset Trail is a beautiful way to explore this end of the park. Parking access for this segment is available at the Gulpa Gorge Campground, and the trail begins to the north.

In the first portion of the trail, visitors will almost immediately begin a climb. While not terribly steep, the grade is consistent and strenuous. After about a half a mile, the trail will level out, and the journey will get a bit easier. Visitors will be traveling along the Old Gorge Road, which sits above the road currently in use. From here, the trail will descend to Hwy 7. Carefully cross the road, and pick up the trail on the other side.

On the northwest side of the road, the trail resume, and passes the interesting stone remnants of an old generator mill. While the ruins are fun to look at, please do not climb on them. The trail will then move close to Stonebridge Rd., which it will parallel until Ricks Pond. The pond is one of the most scenic stops along the way and is a great place to look for waterfowl, frogs or beavers.

Continuing on, the trail climbs away from the pond, headed mostly north. the route will be well shaded in this portion, and visitors will appreciate the cooler temperatures. This trail eventually ends at a junction with the longer Sunset Trail. From there, it is possible to take the Sunset Trail either east or west, or visitors can return to their cars the way that they came.

Near the pond, beaver, heron, warblers, frogs and other aquatic animals can be seen.