Centennial Trail - Spring Creek TH to Dakota Point TH Access

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Features River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The nearest restrooms are outhouses at the Spring Creek picnic area on Sheridan Lake Road, about 2 miles east of the Spring Creek Trailhead.

Trail surface has many rocks, mud puddles in wet weather, and grass hiding the trail surface.

Follow #89 trail markers. From the Spring Creek Trailhead, follow the creek until the first bridge. Heading southwest along the creek, the #89 trail marker is easy to miss. Backtrack from the bridge, and you'll easily see the #89 trail marker. Head up the hill. The trail to Dakota Point is a doubletrack most of the way, and is obvious and well-marked. On the return path from Dakota Point, the trail splits, so take the left branch to return on the same path to Spring Creek. The other path is the horse path, and takes you down to the Sheridan Lake dam.

This trail is an excellent alternative run when the foot bridges on Spring Creek Trail are out of service, which has occurred several times from 2016 through 2019.

The 500-foot elevation change makes this trail a good workout. On the doubletrack, there is not much shade, so this is a good trail for an overcast day or a rainy day. Both trailheads have parking and information boards with maps. The trail next to Spring Creek has a lot of poison ivy and rocks that are slippery in wet weather. Hiking poles are recommended.

Mixed pine forest and mountain meadows. Expect to see white-tailed deer and wild irises.