A couple of weeks ago, before we hit the deep-freeze, I hiked the Orange Trail at Jefferson Memorial Forest. It is a short, hiker-only 1.7 mile loop in the Horine Section. Access to the Horine Section is by permit only, but permits are free and available at the JMF Welcome Center, 8:30 to 4:30 M-S and 10 to 3:00 on Sundays. The Orange Trail is well-marked; trail maps are available here and at the Welcome Center.
When you enter the Horine Section of JMF, follow the paved road till it ends at a large gravel parking lot. You’re in the second highest spot in the county at this point, 880 feet, surpassed only by one of the South Park Hills. Here you will see a sign and arrow marked “Trail Heads” which leads you to this sign:
Starting the Orange Trail
Now you’re on your way as the Orange and Red Trails overlap for awhile. Walking along the edge of this ridge will provide the best long-distance views on this hike. You’ll quickly reach the Orange Trail proper and have to decide: left-hand or right-hand side of the loop? I chose the left-hand as the only other hiker I saw this day was headed down the right-hand side. The left side follows the gravel Cemetery Road for five or so minutes before plunging into the woods. The next twenty minutes or so of the trail are my favorite.
Headed downhill
It gets steep as you head downhill into a small valley. Notice the transition in tree species from oaks to beeches. In the spring, this moist valley is a good spot for viewing wildflowers. The stream that formed this valley is seasonal, flowing in the summer only when it rains. Be sure to check out the interesting rocks in the stream bed. There are many soft and colorful claystones as well as low-grade chert. This chert is one reason native peoples ventured into these hills long ago.
Colorful stones in the creek bed
Leaving the valley, you’ll have a fine climb of two hundred feet or so leading to a nice stand of pine trees. This is another interesting transition as you leave the crunch of the deciduous forest for a carpeting of pine needles. The needles give a hush, somewhat like a snow-bound forest. Look for pine cones while you’re here. Many are chewed upon by squirrels this time of year. The squirrels strip off the scales and eat the small seeds inside.
Squirrel snack
The last section of the Orange Trail loop is my least favorite. It passes behind the family and group camping sites. Generally level, there is a nice patch of ground cedar to observe and well as this gorgeous white oak, which with the sun shining just so, reveals how apt the name is:
White oak
I returned to the Horine parking lot in an hour, hiking at my usual leisurely pace. Its single steep hill earns this hike a moderate rating on the JMF website.