Hiking trails

• From the Trail head, past the Info box, there is the True North Trail left, the Valley Trail ahead, and McAlister's Trail right. They all lead to Table Top but have very different characteristics.

(r) = Rugged, (m) = Moderate, (e) = Easy

Editor's note: When the maps are added, there will be links showing the trails. For now, use your imagination!

True North trail (r) leads north to and along the power line cut, up a steep climb past Karen's Inukshuk to the Old Ridge Trail (m) developed in 1982. The Old ridge trail has branches on the right to Woo's Way (e) and the Valley Trail (m) .

The Valley Trail, rugged but gentle, was developed in late 80's because Cachorro always went down there to drink out of "his" pool. This pool, at the foot of the Pine Needle Trail (m) bears his name and always has water even when its dam is breached. Several other trails also branch right from the Valley Trail starting with the Yellow Jacket Trail (m) just past the power line cut, then Karen's Trail, (m), a Shortcut path (r) to Cindy's Way (m) which starts a little further up, then the Pine Needle Trail, (m) Old Shmo's Way (r) (also from 1982), and finally the Switchback Trail. (r)

The Switchback Trail, a hairpin turn right off the Valley Trail immediately gets onto high ground with nice views and joins Old Shmo's Way at the U tree, a big old pine. Follow cairns and other markers up the trail, across the upper valley to the upper trails. Note: The Switchback Trail should be taken in order to stay on the Industrial Park property. Otherwise the Valley Trail levels out beside a "wetland" area becoming Mamie's Trail (m), an easier way, then wraps around the northern end of Simpson Hill on CCPL land, bearing right up increasing slopes and finally southward to Table Top.

McAlister's Trail (e), the first right after the Trail Head is a lowland stroll through young hardwoods. A branch left leads across and south down the power line about 30 meters to a cairn marking the entrance to the southside trails to the left. Staying on McAlister's Trail, marked in blue, leads all the way over to the Dirt Road just in from Rte 127. Follow this road up, bearing left at the water towers, and northwards until reaching Table Top. A trail left, halfway up the dirt road marked by a cairn and flagging tape, leads to a network of trails. Southside trails are all fairly easy.

Be adventurous, look carefully for old blazes, cairns or bits of weathered flagging tape and other signs of use so you can stay on the trails. We (and the wildlife) try to mark and maintain them all, but using the trails is entirely your responsibility.