Hiking Photos

My third trip to Taxter Ridge Park Preserve started off very predictably from the Taxter Road entrance and up the Danny Gold blue trail to the northeast (right).

I followed Danny Gold (blue) until it meets the orange trail, and took the orange trail off to the north (right). Once I hit the "Woody Crest" chimney, I decided it was time to go off trail.

I headed east until I met I-287. I started by blazing my own trail, but eventually found some unmarked paths to follow. There were some deer in this area, and predictably some trash near the highway, including tires.

I hugged the northeast border to make my way to the Sheldon Avenue parking lot, then stayed tucked against the northwest boundary of the park. I came across a cool stream and stonework that abuts a private property. I continued to follow the park's exterior to the northwest as I passed a murky iron-shaped pond on more private land, complete with a rowboat sitting idly on the shore.

I came across a couple tree stands as I turned to the southeast. I wonder if hunting is allowed so close to the park in the fall. I made it as far south as I could before coming to another property line, so I headed east to try to pick up a trail again.

Much to my surprise, I happened to land within a few feet of the "Woody Crest" chimney where I had started my detour. I had made a big wide and sweeping circle without even planning it or using a map. That was pretty exciting!

From there I traced the orange trail, back to the blue trail, back to the yellow trail, and back to the parking lot. Overall it was a fun hike and I enjoyed going off script to see parts of the park that aren't normally seen. I will come back at some point and spend more time in that northwest corner that has a lot of goodies!