Yellowwood Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views

Some residents of the private properties here own dogs, and these canine friends roam freely near their territories. The several I have encountered over time on this trail have all been friendly - so if you respond in kind, all should be well. Remember, always get permission from a dog's owner before petting it, no matter how fluffy it is. Loose dogs in the area make the following rule all the more important:

"Dogs are welcome if leashed at all times. Please be prepared to clean up after your dog." - Sycamore Land Trust general rule.

Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve currently has two trails, one in the bottomlands and this one - the Yellowwood Trail - along a 200-foot tall bluff. The resultant views along the trail are breathtaking, far more so than the trail's grade. The increasingly rare Eastern Hemlock tree grows in abundance on these steep slopes and they make the last leg beyond a lone bench worth hiking.

The path is consistently narrow. It's frequently in close proximity to - and at times crosses - some quiet, private properties. The trail is well-marked with white rectangles so trespassing issues are easily avoided, but there is one spot of concern: from a wider path, be sure to take a sharp right turn (south) onto a much narrower path as you descend towards a private residence, about ½ mile in.

Yellowwood Trail is likely named due to its historic proximity to Yellowwood State Forest (not in direct relation to the rare tree Cladrastis kentukea). In years past, this trail was a small part of the much longer historic Yellowwood Trail created by Ken Tuxhorn in 1949, which crossed Yellowwood State Forest. There's more information on the history of this trail here: sycamorelandtrust.org/2016/…

For more information about the preserve in general, not just this trail, please see:
sycamorelandtrust.org/prese…

Eastern Hemlock stand on the steep, North-facing slope along the eastern length of the trail.

A great variety of oaks in the Red and White groups.

Birds: "woodpeckers, yellow-billed cuckoo" - Sycamore Land Trust