Horse-Shoe Trail -- Adamstown Ridge

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Hi Blog!

While it's not officially summer here in Lancaster County, we did have a picture perfect summer morning for our hike. With temperatures rising during the middle of the day, we have been trying to start our hikes earlier. Last week we hiked a portion of the Horse-Shoe Trail from The Weaver's Farm to the west. Earlier today, we hiked the Horse-Shoe Trail from the Weaver's Farm to the east.

With coffee in hand, we walked down to the trailhead along Muddy Creek Road. Just across the street from The Weaver's Farm is a small homestead. The trail runs between their farm and a housing development behind the bushes on the left in the photo below.

By 8:55 a.m. we were on our way.

As we began our hike, we could look back down from whence we came. Our campground is down there somewhere.

In just a quarter mile, we found ourselves road walking on Smokestown Road. There are no photos from this section, since it marched us right through a housing development. Once we crossed  PA-897, we were back in the woods.

The trail meanders through woods, down private driveways and across roads. The scenery is constantly changing.  The four mailboxes in the photo below are marked with a blaze.  They collect the mail for four houses that David thinks would make great forever-and-ever homes:

We stopped briefly to admire this property's street light. The axe in the log has a lantern hooked to the handle.

We had to be careful in this section, as a number of woods roads and trails crisscrossed our path. As we emerged from the woods, we entered a small farm. The owners were out gardening with their 9 month old Bernese Mountain Dog. He was a friendly chap. He was happy to share his trail with us.

Soon after leaving the puppy behind, we began to climb along the Adamstown Ridge. This ridge is one of several along the trail that rise to over 1,000 feet with slopes up to 25%.

As we hiked along the ridge, we found a little trail magic. Someone constructed a bench from two log stumps and a wooden plank. Kathy didn't hesitate to take advantage of the rest area.

Further on down the road, we came to several antique structures. We think this may have been an old chicken coop.

Now that's a burl!

After a wonderful stroll across the ridge top, we crossed Adamstown Road (again) and walked up a private drive. We had a lovely chat with the owner. He was glad to see hikers using the trail again. He warned us that part of the trail had been re-routed around US-222. We were surprised when he told us that the ash borer beetle had invaded his property. He was forced to take down all the ash trees on his property.

Back into the woods, and we came across what appeared to be an old snow machine (snowmobile, to you non-Alaskans).

After 4.4 miles, it was time for breakfast. Kathy kicked back as she devoured her breakfast burrito.

It never bothers use to hike out and back. We always seem to see something different each direction. On the way out, we never saw this farm tucked up against the far trees.

As we approached the farm with the Bernese Mountain Dog, we were prepared to be greeted by an exuberant puppy. Instead, we were greeted by a cocky cock.  As we paused to take his photo, he started strutting around aggressively and flapping his wings.  However, he said nothing until we moved on, and then gave out his most handsome "cock-a-doodle-doo."  "And STAY away!"

This part of Lancaster County was developed in the late 1700's. The land in this area has seen a lot of use. It is littered with the relics of bygone eras.

We reached the height of land, and the rest of the hike back was mostly downhill. As we left the trail to walk along PA 897 back to camp, Kathy found a couple turkey feathers to bring back for the kitties to play with.

As we passed the campground pond, we noticed these "kids" peddling where they should be paddling.

It is always fun when we can do interesting hikes from camp. We hope to explore other sections of the Horse-Shoe Trail in the weeks to come. Stay safe my friends.