From the trailhead, this run starts out on the
Sinks Trail. From the paved parking lot off on the north side of Nolen Avenue, the
Sinks Trail is one of the more challenging trails on Monte Sano. Starting near 1,600 feet, the trail quickly descends into the valley, crossing
Mountain Mist at 0.25 miles, reaching the area known as Three Benches at 0.5 miles.
Shortly after Three Benches, there is a confusing intersection with the
Keith Trail and
Stone Cuts Trail. Look for the
Stone Cuts Trail which is one of the highlights of the run. The natural limestone formations have created an awesome path that makes the Stone Cuts one of the must-do trails in Monte Sano State Park.
From the intersection, the trail climbs to the Stone Cuts. Just before reaching the formations the
Stone Cuts Bypass branches off to your left (for an easier alternate if you don't feel like scrambling through the cuts). A little bit further up the trail is where the Stone Cuts start. The limestone has formed a cool tunnel that you run through before heading under a tree that is leaning between two walls where you pop out on the other end.
After the "Cuts," the trail descends and is very rocky, requiring some technical running skills for the rest of the way. You'll pass a junction with the
Panther Knob Trail and keep going to the trail's end at the
Logan Point Trail. Turn north here on the
Logan Point Trail which runs around Logan Point intersecting with the
Stone Cuts Trail,
Panther Knob Trail, Northern
Flat Rock Connector, and
Keith Trail before dead-ending into the Stone Cuts.
The first section of the trail is doubletrack and more than likely an old logging road. It is very popular with mountain bikers so it can be more worn down than some of the more rocky trails. Eventually, the trail converts back to singletrack descending through the woods before looping back around to the junction by Three Benches. As you run this section around
Golan Heights, keep and eye (and ear) open for a chance to spot the park's resident group of feral goats. Once back to the intersection, pick up the
Sinks Trail to climb back to the trailhead.
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