pleasant ridge park

pleasant ridge park印象

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  445lesliet

  Good hiking, with adventurous obstacles, and geocache rich area.Pleasant Ridge Park doesn't look like much at first glance. Near the historic 'Kinsella Cabin', there is a hiking trail that goes into the woods. I decided to go exploring it. (I am a school bus driver - Special Ed route, with a layover so I have plenty of time to explore this area).The trail can be classified into two sections. A straight trail, and a Loop Trail. From the Cabin, you can walk down, and you cross some bridges. (Occasionally a path to the left will lead back to the main park), also dont get too confused by some of the side trails to the right, you can spot them as they steeply descend downward.The Loop is a half mile, and from the Cabin to the Loop is aprox half mile as well. If you start at the cabin, and go through the loop, and want to get back to the park, there is also a side trail that goes back up (It splits in two, but basically goes the same place - back up), to the road and you can make a 'B-line' back to your car (about .3 miles).Some of the bridges are old and look dangerous, like a simple plank that crosses a small runnoff ditch, that if nervous, you can side step accross. There is even one point that goes very steep, up with the aide of wooden box steps to help you go up, there is even a rope to help you climb up this one certain spot.There are also many 'stairs' to go up and down, but overall it is very scenic, especially in the winter where you can look down into the ravine.Near the end of the one trail is the start/end of the loop, by a little waterfall type landmark (It only runs after heavy rain). If you continue straight, it will take you to the other end of the loop, by starting off with a bridge. This is also an interesting trail as you cross wooden bridges, climb up steps made out of tree roots, and even pass through a 'V' formation tree. Most of the bridges are in good shape, some are simpler without hand rails, and even just planks or old RailRoad ties. But nothing really dangerous (except for the rope aided area).If you into geocaching, a high tech form of Treasure Hunting with GPS, google it for more info, this is also a great playground for that as well.If there is a fresh snowfall, this park has many great hills for sledding as well, hills so big, the walk back up, may severely limit the number of times you sled down.I would give it a 5, but some may feel uneasy about some of the primitive bridges in this trail. Because it takes balance and skill on some parts, I give it a 4, but Kids will love this unique trail experience.