2012
Trail reviews
and photos
2011
Trail reviews
and photos
New
trails at Wyandotte
Hillsdale Lake
2010
Trail reviews
and photos
Hiking
the George Latham Trail at Clinton Lake
April 2, 2011
The George Latham Trail is one of my favorite hikes for spring. I prefer
spring because grasses begin to green, yet you can still admire panoramic
views of
the
lake
and steep, rocky ravines before thick foliage blocks the view.
This natural, single track trail creates a loop of four and a half miles. While
the trail is signed and marked for a counter clockwise hike, I always hike it
clockwise. Beginning at the trail marker behind the restrooms, you'll need to
ignore and cross an old road to continue on the trail reaching views of Dry Creek
in just a half mile. Impressive beaver dams can be seen from the ridge above.
The trail soon takes a switch back down to a bench where you can rest with a
view of the creek and rolling, pastel-colored hills across the lake arm. Presenting
a few minor climbs and wet weather crossings, the trail proceeds on a ledge overlooking
the lake sometimes skirting an open prairie for varied scenery. A flock of American
white pelicans bobbed and fished alongside cormorants and gulls. With binoculars,
we could see them from the ridge above. Between mile markers two and one, you'll
find some well placed, walk-in camp sites with stellar views for backpackers.
Rocky shoreline and limestone ridges make great break areas here. Look for a
side trail which leads you down to the shore. Savor a break on driftwood logs
and limestone boulders. Near mile marker one, an impressive rock wall is a rustic
tribute to the laborious life of our local ancestors. Finally, when hiking clockwise,
the last mile presents a rather steep climb out to return to the trailhead.
The George Lathan Trail navigates a peninsula on the northwest
side of Clinton Lake. Woodridge Primitive Area is managed by the Corp of Engineers.
There
are no entrance or user fees. The park is a
lovely, flat and shady group camp with picnic tables, water and primitive restrooms.
This
Primitive
Area
is
popular
with
scout
troops
and
college
kids
but is not usually crowded in early spring--just one more reason to hike it in
March or April!
Directions: Take I-70 to K-10 (exit 197) turn west at US 40 and veer off onto 1600 (also 442) and follow it to Stull where you'll turn south on 1023. Turn east on 2 (gravel road) then left (north) on 350E which is a dirt road. The trailhead is at the top of the hill on your right.