I actually tried to do this hike a few Sundays earlier, but the trailhead parking lot was full. Rather than wait around hoping for a spot to open up, I decided to come back another day. I figured a Tuesday evening would be much quieter, and since Josh was working late, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a shorter hike with Hudson.
We arrived at the trailhead around 5:30 p.m., and this time there were only two other vehicles in the parking lot. Before leaving home, I had done a little research to see how long it would take to hike about 2.5 miles. Most estimates were around an hour and a half, which fit perfectly into an evening outing.
After parking the truck, I began what has become my new trailhead routine:
- Put on my backpack.
- Start my GPS tracker.
- Pull out my Field Notes notebook and pencil.
- Check the temperature.
- Write down a few notes.
I start each entry with the date, record the temperature (74.6°F on this evening), and write down the trails I plan to hike. Then the notebook goes back into my nature journaling bag, and I double-check my GPS before heading out.
The trailhead at Moreau has a nice map with numbered trails, but I was initially a little confused because two different trails were both labeled “28.” I snapped a photo of the map just in case. After a little investigating, I realized the correct trail started to the left of the parking lot when facing it from the road.
Hudson and I set off.
I’ve hiked several of the trails at Moreau over the years, and Josh has mountain biked many of them, so I had a general idea of what to expect. The trail climbed steadily almost from the start, but it was a beautiful walk through the woods. The forest floor was mostly covered in dry leaves, but every patch of green seemed to stand out even more. The bright moss clinging to rocks was especially vibrant against the muted browns of late summer.
The brook alongside the trail was running very low, although Hudson managed to find a few small pools whenever he needed a drink.
Eventually we reached a large pile of boulders and a trail junction. We turned right, and before long we arrived at the Moreau Lake Overlook.
I’d actually been here once before, several years ago while camping at Moreau Lake State Park. That hike had started from the campground, making for a much shorter trip to the overlook. Even though I’d seen it before, the view was just as beautiful as I remembered. Looking out over Moreau Lake is always worth the climb.
We took a break to drink some water, snapped a few selfies, and enjoyed the view for a while. I had decided to wear hiking pants instead of shorts, which seemed like a good idea when I left home. By the time we reached the overlook, though, I was questioning that decision. It felt much warmer than 74 degrees.
When it was time to continue, we finished the hike by following the loop. The descent was surprisingly steep, with several rocky sections that required careful footing. As I worked my way down the boulders, I was very glad we’d chosen to go right at the earlier junction. I’d much rather hike down those rocks than climb up them.
The remainder of the loop was a fun mix of rolling terrain with plenty of short ups and downs. Along the way I stopped several times to photograph interesting mushrooms and colorful leaves so I could identify—and hopefully sketch—them later in my nature journal.
Before long we were back at the truck, hot, sweaty, and ready to head home. By then it was around 7:00 p.m., and I was starving. Looking back, I definitely should have packed a snack or eaten something before the hike instead of waiting until afterward.
Before leaving the trailhead, I made a few final notes in my Field Notes notebook. I recorded the wildlife we’d seen—a black squirrel, several newts, and what may have been an owl—and the birds I’d heard along the trail, including a Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, and Red-eyed Vireo.
These shorter evening hikes are quickly becoming some of my favorites. They’re just enough time to unwind after work, spend some quality time with Hudson, and slow down long enough to notice all the little things I might otherwise miss.
Trip Stats
- Distance: 2.9 Miles
- Total Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
- Elevation Gain/Loss: +710/-707
- Weather: mostly cloudy, warm
- GPS System: OnXBackcountry
Happy Hiking!
