#1 Connector Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Sections are quite steep and rocky. Along the creek can be brushy, with stinging nettles in places. Horseback riding is allowed in some seasons.

This connector trail is rougher and less travelled than the Gans Creek Main Loop. It is likely a series of social trails that had to be added to the map to reduce confusion. It is marked with brown blazes with a "1" If going west to east, and will drop steeply down to the creek. The Main Loop continues across the creek and heads to the Wagon Wheel Trailhead, and #1 Connector Trail follows the creek along the flat before then again climbing up the ridge. The section on the ridge is very nice. At the west end, several switchbacks take you to a bluff overlook. At the overlook, #1 Connector meets #2 Connector Trail and both lead to the Gans Creek Main Loop. This section can get confusing so use the Trail Run Project mobile app to help stay on route.

Scarlet Tanager, Kentucky Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Great Blue Heron, White-tailed deer.