Dogs Unknown
Features
Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife
The park gate opens at 7 a.m. The signs say permit required for the Trail #301, but it isn't (Park Rangers told me this). Expect a $5 park fee.
Description
Trail #301 is a tough MTB/hiking trail in Fort Mountain State Park. Most of the trail is wide and well-maintained with continual rolling climbs and descents. Start at the MTB parking area and hike 1 mile on the connector to the 301 loop. Turn right (to hike the loop clockwise) and enjoy nice rolling hills through coniferous forest and the occasional mountain laurel thicket.
After 4.5 miles of a gradual rolling descent, you'll reach the "Powerline", a steep, sometimes rocky plunge of 1,000 feet in a mile. The next few miles are up and down until you reach mile 10.6 where you begin "Conti's Climb", a long, steady 2-mile uphill along Mill Creek where you'll regain the 1,000 feet that you lost on the Powerline. At mile 12.5, you'll finish the loop and proceed back along the connector to the MTB parking area.
Flora & Fauna
This trail travels through primarily pine forest, with the occasional mountain laurel and rhododendron. I've seen black bears and bobcats. Poison ivy is everywhere along the trail, but the 301 is wide so it's not a big problem.
Contacts
Shared By:
Russ Johnson
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