Murray's Mill Pond Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Once you go behind the cemetery, Balls Creek will need to be crossed on Shiloh Rd.

The Murray and Minges General Store is open weekends March to mid-December and Thurs-Sun April-October. It features cold glass bottled sodas, flush toilets, and other items. The mill has the same hours.

This area is used by local high schools for cross-country meets.

The trail starts by crossing the old bridge next to Murray's Mill. Run up the hill and through the grindstones, turning right to stay by the mill pond. The brick house on your left, built in 1935, belonged to Lloyd Murray, the last of the Murray Family to operate the mill. The small white house is the newest building on the property and was built in 1950 for Lloyd's son Bill and his wife Mary Sue. The large white house is the George Huffman House, built in 1820. It was moved to the property in 1998.

Through a small patch of woods, the trail continues along the edge of the farmer's field, across a foot bridge and into the woods. Major obstacles in this area are roots and small stumps in the trail. After crossing a second footbridge, look to the water on your right. This part of the pond is home to a great blue heron, beavers, & many frogs.

Out of the woods you again follow the edge of the farmer's field to a boardwalk on your right that crosses the marsh. This ends at the back of Shiloh Methodist Church cemetery. John Murray and his family are near the top of the hill on the left.

The trail continues to the right. Note: this section can be flooded when water is high. The end of this section deposits you on Shiloh Rd. You'll need to cross the creek on the car bridge. Follow the road, then turn right through the fence opening into the field.

The second half of the trail follows the dirt/grass road around the farmer's field. It is completely in the sun. Once around the field, cross the stone/grass causeway and up the hill towards the white barn. Turn right before the barn on the gravel road and follow around the field past old outbuildings. At the wheathouse you can take the stairs down by the mill for a shortcut (if the gate is open) or continue to follow the gravel road around the field, then through the gate and make a right down the driveway to the parking lot.

Three different species of lily pads, water fowl, dragonflies, and lizards can be found here.