Joe Pye Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildlife

The white-blazed Joe Pye Trail can be accessed from the Upper Parking Lot or the Pandapas Pond Day Use Area (Lower Parking Lot). From the Upper Parking Lot, take the blue-blazed Horse Nettle Trail uphill to reach the 4-way junction with Joe Pye Trail and Lady Slipper Trail. Joe Pye is the softer of the two rights. Coming from this direction, Joe Pye is generally downhill. A generally uphill stretch of Joe Pye starts at its junction with the orange-blazed Poverty Creek Trail.

From the junction with Poverty Creek Trail, cross over Poverty Creek and several other small creeks, staying relatively level. Soon enough, Joe Pye starts to climb, dipping down occasionally to pass small creeks. You'll also pass the southeastern trailhead for Lark Spur Trail, dip down to another creek (with a Joe Pye Trail sign) and climb back up to the 4-way junction with a sharp left down the Lady Slipper Trail (to Pandapas Pond) or Horse Nettle in two directions (left goes down to the Upper Parking Lot, right goes uphill to Brush Mountain FS Road).

This is a shared trail with mountain bikers and horses. Heads up for mountain bikers speeding downhill from north to south. When encountering a horse, it is proper etiquette to step off the trail to the downhill side and stop until the horse has passed. Also, be sure to wear bright colors during hunting season (October 1st through the first week of January). And be friendly; say "hi" to other folks out enjoying the forest!

And check out the Poverty Creek Trail Coalition on Facebook to see about opportunities to give back and do some trail service!