Barley Pond Loop

This loop begins at the western corner of the parking lot alongside a horse pasture. You may see a few hikers and dog walkers, but this is horse country, so mind the piles.

The signage identifies it as the Barley Pond Loop, but the white blazes identify it as the beginning of the Little Gunpowder Trail. You'll travel through a forested area and as a wide farm road through a cornfield appears ahead, you'll turn left to follow the yellow-blazed trail.

The trail continues through trees along the cornfield for about a half mile and then enters the forest. This open lowland forest is made up of twisty, rooty switchbacks and rolling hills. After another half mile, the trail reaches the Barley Pond. This is a beautiful woodland setting where you may see turtles and small woodland animals. It's a popular spot for a picnic and fishing.

The trail continues uphill through the forest until it meets up with the white-blazed trail again. Turning right will bring you back to the parking lot. Turning left will take you down to the river on the Little Gunpowder Trail