Woodland Trail Spur 1

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring

The Woodland Trail consists of two spurs off the main bridle path through the south unit of Motor Mill. The first spur begins on the south side of the bridge, west of the road. A small sign marks the trailhead, though don't expect an explicitly stated label - the name was invented for the purposes of this description.

At its start, the route follows right along the edge of a bluff overlooking the turkey river. It passes over a beautiful spring that is best viewed from the other side. Watch your step, as it's a long drop. After just a few hundred feet, it turns and tracks slightly uphill away from the river, crossing a ravine before a switchback takes users up a much steeper hill.

This first spur ends at the top of this hill, where the trail meets up with the much wider bridle path.

This trail takes hikers past an exceptional example of prairie habitat, with Pasque flowers spotted on the southeast corner of the prairie in early spring.

The forest is a hotspot for birding, with several bald eagle nests in the vicinity and Pileated Woodpeckers being a common site. Sandhill Cranes have been heard, but not seen, at Motor Mill.