Yellow Tape Trace

Dogs Leashed

This is a natural-surface path through the trees, and a portion of it is covered with pine needles. In terms of elevation, it is lower than Kobs Trace which in turn is lower than Plummer Trace. Accordingly, it has several low spots that remain wet longer than the other two to the west. The prevalence of pine needles means the trail is rarely muddy, even when hiking through 1-4 inches of ponded water. When the area is dry, this trace makes for a nice loop hike when combined with Kobs Trace or Plummer Trace.

Users should always be prepared for mosquitoes.

The trace begins on Patterson Road about 600 feet west of North Eldridge Parkway. The entrance to the path is right across the road from the yellow flood gauge. Yellow tape blazes on the trees mark the route. Note that Patterson is used by motor vehicles as a high-speed road. Sight lines are good at the entrance and traffic is generally light.

On the segment from Patterson Road to Lamb Trail there are three primary low spots. The deepest is the bar ditch on the south side of Patterson. The second is a marshy area at about 400 feet in, and the third is a marshy area with low pine growth about 3500 feet in, just short of Lamb Trail.

At Lamb Trail, the trace jogs east for about 50 feet before continuing to the south. There are two marshy areas on this segment, one about 150 feet in and the other about 750 feet in. The path ends with an intersection with Kobs Trace.

In winter, mushrooms are common.