Thanksgiving morning, we headed to Medoc Mountain State Park for a hike with Alex. Parking at the picnic area, we went to the far end and picked Stream Loop Trail to Discovery Loop Trail. This one led to Fishing Creek at the confluence with Bear Swamp.
At the bridge, we crossed and went left on Dam Site Loop.
The first dam ruins were just ahead, where the trail ran concurrently with the Saponi Loop Bike Trail.
A second set of ruins was further along.
Then the trail crossed Spring Branch and started heading up to Medoc Mountain. Near the top, we reached the intersection with Summit Trail and went up to the top. It's only 320 feet above sea level, so not much of a mountain, but the views were nice with most of the leaves down.
We stopped and head a break here and then continued on the Summit Loop.
Further down the trail, we saw the Vinson Cemetery.
The trail then headed down the ridge and to Little Fishing Creek and upstream back to the bridge. There was a Lion's Mane mushroom along the creek here.
Across the bridge, we finished up Discovery and Stream Loop Trails and then got on Bluff Loop Trail. There are some great views along here of Little Fishing Creek.
About half way through the loop, the trail heads up on a bluff overlooking the creek then descends stairs down to river level. Looping around, we got off the trail and headed to the bridle trails and followed Main Trail for a half mile or so.
This is a newer part of the park, south of Medoc Mountain Road. Medoc Mountain was visible from trail. We stopped for a break and then made our way back.
At the bridge, we crossed and went left on Dam Site Loop.
The first dam ruins were just ahead, where the trail ran concurrently with the Saponi Loop Bike Trail.
A second set of ruins was further along.
Then the trail crossed Spring Branch and started heading up to Medoc Mountain. Near the top, we reached the intersection with Summit Trail and went up to the top. It's only 320 feet above sea level, so not much of a mountain, but the views were nice with most of the leaves down.
We stopped and head a break here and then continued on the Summit Loop.
Further down the trail, we saw the Vinson Cemetery.
The trail then headed down the ridge and to Little Fishing Creek and upstream back to the bridge. There was a Lion's Mane mushroom along the creek here.
Across the bridge, we finished up Discovery and Stream Loop Trails and then got on Bluff Loop Trail. There are some great views along here of Little Fishing Creek.
About half way through the loop, the trail heads up on a bluff overlooking the creek then descends stairs down to river level. Looping around, we got off the trail and headed to the bridle trails and followed Main Trail for a half mile or so.
This is a newer part of the park, south of Medoc Mountain Road. Medoc Mountain was visible from trail. We stopped for a break and then made our way back.
On the drive in, we passed de Hart Botanical Gardens and I was pretty sure there was a waterfall there. So on the way back, we stopped on the way for a short hike. We hiked the waterfall trail down to the falls.
Unfortunately, the water level was very low so not much of a waterfall to see. A little further, we did the short Homestead Loop to the see the old ruins.
Then we finished up the Waterfall Loop back to the car.
We had worked up quite an appetite and headed to my mom's house for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Alex had some turkey and gravy with dinner too!
Unfortunately, the water level was very low so not much of a waterfall to see. A little further, we did the short Homestead Loop to the see the old ruins.
Then we finished up the Waterfall Loop back to the car.
We had worked up quite an appetite and headed to my mom's house for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Alex had some turkey and gravy with dinner too!
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