Trail 365

North Fork Park

Welcome to the trail!

Hello again, hiking friends! Summer hiking season in the Ogden Valley is here and it’s glorious! The first trail I want to feature this season is the 365 Trail (well, part of it anyway) in North Fork Park. The tykes are sure to love this one because it ends at a pond!

How to get there

From Valley Market in Eden, drive northwest on Highway 162 for about 2.5 miles where you merge onto 3500 E and continue about a half mile to the three-way stop near Liberty Park. Turn left on 4100 N then right on 3300 E and continue driving north for about 1.5 miles until you take a slight left onto North Fork Road. Turn left on 5950 N at the sign for the Ben Lomond Trail/South Gate Entrance. Stay on this road till you see a large dirt parking area near a yurt on your left just before the entrance gate to North Fork Park. Park here. The trail begins at the south end of the lot (near a large trail map sign). There are no restrooms in this parking area, but a number of restroom buildings are available elsewhere in the campground through the gate.

Trail at a glance

Total distance: 0.8 mile one way to pond (1.9 miles round trip out and back)

Elevation gain: 135 feet

Destination: pond with shade and pinecones!

Tyke perks: pond at the end, weeds to pull along the way

Notable flora: wildflowers (mules ear, balsamroot, forget-me-not), trees (Douglas fir, oak), sagebrush, weeds (dyer’s woad - remember, this is one of those plants that is totally okay if your kids pull!)

Fascinating fauna: butterflies, songbirds, (and maybe a moose if you’re lucky)

Watch out for:

• mountain bikes (this is a super popular bike trail, so I’d be surprised if you didn’t see any bikers rather than the other way around; remember bikers should yield to hikers, but it’s smart to keep your kids close or in between adults leading and bringing up the rear to avoid any bike-people collisions)

• sun (there is some shade, but also some sunny stretches, so be prepared with water and sunscreen!)

• mountain lions and black bears (I’ve never seen either, but this is bear and cougar country and it is important to be alert)

While you’re hiking

Walk from your car to the south end of the parking area where you’ll see a large trailhead/map sign. Follow the single track trail south as it winds through the sagebrush and scrub oak. (Since this trail was built for bikers there are a few switch backs that seem kind of pointless for hiking and you’ll notice hikers have cut across to shorten the walking distance. Generally, I encourage staying on the trail, but I admit sometimes we do take the short cuts, especially on the return trip with tired legs.)

Just keep following the trail around the campground (you’ll be able to spot a picnic table or fire ring here and there). At about mile 0.6 you’ll make your last turn back to the south and slowly begin curving toward the west. By mile 0.7 you’ll be heading pretty much straight northwest and the campground sites will be close to the trail.

In just a tenth of a mile further you’ll see a picnic table in the trees close to the trail on your right and almost immediately after a small trail going down a hill off to the left of the main trail. This will lead you right along the east bank of the pond. In wet years, you may have to cross a small stream to get to the large firs at the end of the pond that make a great picnic/snack spot in the shade, but there is usually a rock or log to help you across. (This year the crossing is dry, and I’d imagine the pond itself may dry up or shrink as the summer progresses, so you may want to try this one quick!)

You made it! Enjoy the view and the shade and your snacks and when you’re ready you can head back to your car the way you came. (Note: this trail is technically a 2.2 mile loop, which takes you beyond the pond and around more campsites and then back to the parking lot; I have never completed the loop myself, but if you have adventurous hikers and/or prefer a loop over an out and back, that could be an option for you!)

Happy hikers

As I mentioned last year, I always love to hear what you think of these trails - how were my directions? what interesting things did you see along the way? did your kids hike further than they ever have before? Feel free to reply to this email or comment below and let me know!

And if you have a pic to share, I’ll include it on the next post! (This photo is from one of our first group tyke hikes three years ago!) Till then, happy trails!