Rufus Creek Trail (Under Construction)

One part old and several parts new, the multi-use Rufus Creek Trail begins next to the restroom in the Lookout Mountain Preserve parking area and begins winding up through the trees. There will be some mild bits and some steeper bits at first, but obstacles are pretty much non-existent. At roughly 0.75 miles, the trail crosses over Lookout Mountain Road 2000 and shortly crosses over a smooth bridge (watch out in the wet). From there the trail rises steadily on a raised tread. Hikers will pass through lots of alders that eventually give way to a mix with more deciduous trees. A little past 1.0 miles, the trail intersects the pedestrian-only Leila June Trail. Keep right to stay the Rufus Creek Trail. This newer section of trail is recognizable by a narrower width and substantial bench-cutting that was used to cut across the side-slope. Despite the terrain, the trail remains smooth and easily traveled. At 1.5 miles, the trail begins to descend across the slope. After another low-bridge, Rufus Creek Trail intersects with the Backside Trail on the right and continues up to meet the bottom of the biker-only Cougar Ridge. As of late 2018 the Rufus Creek Trail ends here at a barricade. Efforts in the coming months and years will eventually extend the trail past an intersection with the Baneberry Trail.