This is my favorite in-town hike. It’s gorgeous, never too busy (on most parts of the trail) and challenging in spots. There are downhill pitches where I basically tip-toe.
I’ve been saying I don’t want to give route info anymore because keeping track while hiking is really boring and these write-ups don’t get much action for how much work it takes, but I love this trail so much I want to share! I don’t I don’t have exact mileage for each direction, but none of the stretches are very long. I’ve included tons of photos to help.
At the trailheadThis is a backwards view, but you want to turn left here onto fire lane 10.Just before you reach Germantown Rd. from fire lane 10turn right at Germantown Rd. for a tenth of a mile (or so) roadwalk to the Wildwood Trailhead on the other (south) side of the streetWildwood trailheadTurn left here onto the Waterline Trail. (It’s the second turnoff from the trailhead)Pass this gate and turn left onto Leif Erickson Rd.Leif Erickson Rd.Cross Germantown Rd. from the Leif Erickson trailhead to fire lane 9. This part gets really special.After the hellish decline, you’ll see this gate. Turn right where it forks.Turn left here onto Wilark, a residential street.If you’re starting to wonder where the fuck you’re going, you’re going the right way.At the very end of the culdesac, just past this jeep is a public staircase.Take this all the way down and then turn left back to your car.
You’ll find me on various parts of the Wildwood Trail at least once a week, so it feels weird to “revisit” it. However, spring in Forest Park is popping off right now and I have a new favorite loop that deserves a little attention. Continue reading “Forest Park via Germantown Rd. (revisited)”→
When it comes to exercise, “ability” and “skill level” are emotionally and politically fraught. So is “exercise.” Our bodies are not safe in this culture, some are less safe than others. We are constantly criticized and bombarded with messages that aren’t even in our best interests about what we need to do with ourselves. Personally, I believe what we do with our bodies is nobodies business, but our own. Exercising is often a public endeavor and it can be vulnerable for anyone. I’m finding I cannot talk about my body without telling stories. It deserves that much from me. I have dropped a lot of story bombs between the following lines. There are many more I haven’t even mentioned. Give me time. Or, maybe, give me an editor. Continue reading “Story of a Body”→
