Trail 25 (North)

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek

This route details Trail 25 (North), one of four segments forming Trail 25 a 25-mile loop around the perimeter of Riverside State Park.

Trail 25 leads visitors on a circuitous route. It travels in and out of forests and meadows, along hills and down bluffs, across riverbeds and through tracts of sand. Fortunately, there are many access points each segment was created with entrance and exit points in mind.

Easily the most interesting segment, Trail 25 (North) starts out mellow and works itself up to more rock terrain.

Starting at the Wilber trailhead, the first three miles are a relatively moderate climb. Many intersections along the route aren't marked including a street crossing over W. 7 Mile Rd. As a general rule of thumb, head left and uphill when presented with the option.

The trail takes an unusual plunge immediately after the intersection of N. State Park Dr. Follow the trail down a steep descent into the gorge. Roughly 2/3s of the way down, a signpost directs you to the left along a sharp switchback path into the riverbed below. Don't continue straight as the trail ends abruptly on a drop.

If conditions are favorable, head right for roughly 40 yards through the riverbed until you reach the trail on the other side. The steady quarter mile climb out of the gorge presents some challenging sections but offers excellent views of the surrounding basalt formations. The trail intersects with Trail 411 & Trail 410 Segment during this portion.

The next two miles wander up and down (intersections with Trail 401 & Trail 402), with a mile long steady climb to the plateaued summit. Shortly after crossing under power lines, the trail makes an indistinct turn to the left while a connector trail exits to the road.

The doubletrack continues, taking a right onto Trail 410, where it follows along the edge of the bluff before making a tight and narrow switchback descent onto the step below.

A pleasantly undulating tail route continues along the current bluff. This section runs out onto W. Pines Bluff Rd. A poorly marked trail begins 30 yards to the left and across the road. Follow along to the end of the trail at W. 7 Mile Rd.

From here, continue onto Trail 25 (West) or exit North West via W. 7 Mile Rd. back to the initial trailhead.