Larkspur Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildlife

The Larkspur Trail is short, but can be a nice variation to connect the Wetlands & Pond Trail with Lady Slipper Trail and Joe Pye Trail without having to ascend to the 4-way intersection at the Horse Nettle Trail. The direction that makes the most intuitive sense or flow would be to start at the Wetlands & Pond Trail and ascend to the intersection with the Joe Pye Trail.

The Larkspur Trail is not blazed and is not signed at its intersection with the Wetlands & Pond Trail. The start of the trail is at the only picnic table on the south side of Pandapas Pond. The lower section of the trail is not open to mountain bikers or horses and receives less upkeep, so don't be surprised to duck under branches and hop over downed logs. You'll soon reach the intersection with the Joe Pye Trail. Again, there is not a Larkspur Trail sign pointing to the pond, though if you take a left onto Joe Pye Trail, you'll immediately see a Larkspur sign on your left, and the trail heads up on your left towards Lady Slipper 0.1 miles away.

The singletrack weaves upward through roots and rocks to its junction with the Lady Slipper Trail. From the junction, take a left to return to the Wetlands & Pond Trail and Pandapas Pond or take a hard right to ascend up to the aforementioned 4-way intersection with Horse Nettle Trail and Joe Pye Trail. If coming down Lady Slipper Trail from the 4-way, keep your eyes peeled for the Larkspur/Lady Slipper sign on the right of the trail with the trail starting with a sharp left that is easy to miss if traveling fast down Lady Slipper Trail.

The upper portion is a shared trail with mountain bikers and horses. Heads up for mountain bikers on any of the trails. When encountering a horse, it is proper etiquette to step off the trail to the downhill side and stop until the horse has passed. Also, be sure to wear bright colors during hunting season (October 1st through the first week of January). It is illegal to hunt in the Pandapas Pond Day Use Area (the area surrounding the pond), but best to err on the side of caution. And be friendly; say "hi" to other folks out enjoying the forest!

Check out the Poverty Creek Trail Coalition on Facebook to see about opportunities to give back and do some trail service!