Ridge Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

The trail is easily reached and well marked. The trail begins at the Pickett State Park's parking area for its picnic facilities. First, take the Lake View Trail by finding its trailhead right off of the southwest corner of the parking area for the park's picnic area. Signs clearly mark the trailhead. Follow that trail to the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) bridge across Thompson Creek. The Ridge Trail Trailhead heads east just before that bridge with a sign pointing the way.

The trail follows Thompson Creek and Natural Bridge Creek. This area near the creeks is a forest of rhododendron that is beautiful while in bloom in the spring. After a third of a mile, runners will reach a trail sign giving them the option to run over the bluff or under it. The trail over the bluff gives views of Natural Bridge Creek while under goes alongside natural caves. Many pawpaw trees dot the area under the bluff.

The two trails come back together in a little over a quarter of a mile. The trail then ascends the ridge between Thompson Creek and Natural Bridge Creek. A lush hardwood forest covers the ridge. The trail follows the ridge around and toward Natural Bridge Creek, where it descends and crosses the creek. On the other side of the creek is another ridge where the forest changes from hardwood to a beautiful hemlock woods. The trail goes over the ridge and down the other side. Mountain laurel can be seen all along the trail on both ridges. In .7 miles, the trail comes to the CCC bridge crossing Thompson Creek and completion of the loop. A short run on the Lake View Trail leads back to the parking area.

Hardwoods, rhodedendron, mountain laurel, hemlock, and pawpaw trees.