May 12, 2020
Bartram Trail & Other Trails S of Osage Overlook
We combined several trails today to build the mileage to 5.3 miles. We hiked to loop counterclockwise taking a side out-and-back leg down the Bartram Trail. At the north end of this loop, we veered off on the new segment, not marked on the maps, but clearly marked on the trails as the Puc Puggy Loop Trail which rejoined the Bartram just prior to the Osage Overlook. With the exception of several areas of blow-down across the West Fork Trail, this is an excellent trail with few rocks and roots and very easy on the feet with an almost spongy feel of pine straw and leaf humus. There are several well constructed bridges on the Hurrah Ridge/Bartram Trail. Their are a few sections with steep upward grade, but not really too bad. The water crossing of the Overflow Creek is easily accomplished, but it has been several days since the last rain. The West Fork Trail follows closely the creek which has numerous small cascades and just pristine water. I would rate this hike as easy to moderately difficult and recommend it highly to anyone wanting to hike something different. This time of the year there are quite a number of wildflowers along the trail.
The route
5.3 mi · 1,390 ft climbing · 4h 2m out, 3h 22m walking · 1.6 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Photos (29)
Catesby Trillium L-R: Ray Lovette, Angela Evans, Mike & Jenny Bell Overlook a Beginning of Trail Side Loop near the Trailhead Typical Nice, Soft Path covered with Rhododendron Bloomhead of Galax Rock Outcrop along Trail Daisy Fleabane One of Many Trail Markers Typical Tributary to Overflow Creek One of Many Nice Bridges Along Trail Squawroot (Conopholis americana) Another Trail Marker White Clintonia in Flower Summer Bluets (Houstonia purpura) Jack-in-the-Pulpit Just Coming Up Sweet Shrub Water Crossing at Blue Valley Road Water Crossing from Hurrah Ridge to West Form Trails over Overflow Creek Hollowed out half log acts as trough Bluett A small water crossing Huge While Pine Gnarly Dead Tree Typical Blue Blaze for Trails not on Batram Trail