The One With The Famous Bridge

Hike number three of the day brought us to Rock Pond, the longest hike on our itinerary and, ultimately, my favorite.

When I first picked up the brochure for the 4-3-2-1 Way Challenge, I immediately noticed the beautiful wooden bridge featured on the cover. I wondered where it was located and whether I would eventually stumble upon it during one of the challenge hikes. Part of me thought I might have to complete every hike on the list before finally tracking it down.

As it turns out, the search didn’t take nearly that long.

Hike Report

7/11/2017

Needless to say, we found the bridge!

Located along the trail to Rock Pond, the bridge spans the narrow channel between Lake Durant and Rock Pond. Lake Durant stretches out on one side, while the calm waters of Rock Pond lie on the other, creating one of the most picturesque scenes of the day.

Although this was the longest hike of the four “easy” hikes we completed, it was still a pleasant and relatively short walk through the woods. The trail was well-defined and easy to follow, winding through a peaceful forest before opening up to the water. The bridge itself made a perfect spot to stop, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.

We also noticed quite a few people fishing in the area, which isn’t surprising given the beautiful setting and easy access to the water.

Of all the hikes we completed that day, Rock Pond offered my favorite view and the most memorable destination.

Trip Stats

• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Total Time:50 minutes; 51 seconds
• Elevation Gain/Loss:+106 ft/-114ft
• Weather: partly sunny, about 78F
• GPS System: Gaia GPS (see hike here)

Rating

6/10

While it wasn’t particularly challenging, it offered the best scenery of the day. The combination of the forest trail, the iconic bridge, and the views of both Lake Durant and Rock Pond made it well worth the short walk.

Happy Hiking!