Gold Creek Trail

Don't be fooled by the wide, casual trail leading from the parking area to the bridge crossing. The trail on the other side is rooty and occasionally steep. Much of this lower portion has become an entrenched channel peppered with roots, rocks, and water bars. These obstacles will make you work, but there isn't anything unmanageable. As you hike, the forest envelops the trail in beautiful foliage and tall trees. Plummer Trail and a number of unmarked paths will make appearances through this greenery, but the signage is easy to follow. Not too far past a randomly placed bench, the trail splits. Keep right along the narrower, gravelly singletrack. The Gold Creek Trail soon reconnects back to itself and the remaining trail is well defined. Obstacles are minimal going forward, except for a small, craggy rock face before the clearcut. There's a small bench here if you want to take in the panorama, but the view is actually a little better just a few feet further down. Not far from the edge of the trees is the intersection with the top of the Beaver Pond Trail. Keep right for a loose, gravelly climb back into the trees. The grade will steepen a bit, but nothing compared to what you've already completed. Gold Creek Trail soon ends at a triangular intersection with the Wildcat Trail and Vista Trail.