Ladyslipper Trail #951

Dogs Leashed

Begin at the Nancytown Parking lot and follow the gated paved road around the left side of the lake. After about 200 yards a road turns to the right into the group camp parking lot. Across the parking lot is the trail start shown as the green terminus on the map. Begin by crossing the small wooden bridge. Travel along the creek for a short way. The trail curls to the left at the stone stairs and begins a steep climb of approximately 0.5 to 0.75 mile. Once you crest the hill, you'll descend a short distance to a doubletrack - turn left.

Go down the doubletrack less than 0.25 mile and watch closely for the singletrack trail to the right - take this. After 200 yd you'll crest a hill - stop and take in the view! You'll then descend for several hundred yards, then the trail will turn into a eroded, rutted road bed. Continue to the bottom of the hill. Take a hard right at the bottom of the hill (don't take the old road to the left although it dissects the loop) and climb for a few hundred yards before beginning a descent through a pine forest which ultimately spits you out in a wildlife opening. Hike across the wildlife opening to the road on the opposite side.

Once on the road you'll have a short descent and cross a creek. Just beyond the creek turn right on the dirt road and follow it for roughly a mile. Look closely to your left for the singletrack (signage vandalism is a problem here). Turn left and descend to a creek crossing. You'll then cross another creek and begin a steady climb culminating in a short, steep, rocky section. At the top of the climb, continue on the doubletrack to the right - the roadbed discussed earlier comes in from the left. Continue the gradual climb on the doubletrack until you reach a FS road. The trail continues as singletrack to your left parallel to the road. After 200 yards, the trail turns left up a steep doubletrack with several berms. Continue on this doubletrack which spits you out on another road - turn left. This will retrace your track from the parking area. Enjoy the downhill back to the parking lot.

An alternate to the initial steep climb is to continue on the paved road past the group camp parking lot. Turn right over the bridge and around the gate. Take this road for roughly a mile until you come to an intersection at the top of a climb. Take a hard right on the gated FS road which will intersect the trail at the red terminus point.