| 401 | Radnor Lake Repaired | 2011-05-20 |
Last week I wrote about Otter Creek Road at Radnor Lake. Thinking about the Park reminded me that I had not returned to the Park to check out the changes to the South Lake and South Cove trails.
Last May, during the devastating floods, the Park sustained damage to some of the trails. Otter Creek Road, South Lake Trail, and South Cove Trail were closed for periods of time for repair. Last month the last remaining trail, the South Cove, was re-opened; but I had not walked the repaired trails.
From the West Parking Area and trailhead, I walked up Otter Creek Road and to the beginning of the South Cove Trail. The trail climbs a few hundred feet to the ridge line. This section of trail was undamaged. It was still a nice steady climb. The trail along the ridge was also in good shape and it was not until I started to descend that I began noticing any changes.
The trail improvements included:
Sections of the trail were stabilized with timbers.
The tread in low areas was improved by adding a rock base and topping it with mulch.
Fences were built to help hikers stay on the trail.
Some sections of trail were rerouted.
A new bridge was built. The bridge spans a shallow gully and does it in style!
A short section of trail was added to the network as a connector from Otter Creek Road to the South Lake Trail and on to the South Cove Trail.
A few other Radnor Lake tips ...
The South Lake Trail also had minor route changes.
All the changes to the trails would probably go unnoticed by most hikers, especially those unfamiliar with the Park.
The new bridge is amazing.
The new connector section of trail was probably built to give shorter access for moving supplies to the new bridge site.
Otter Creek Road received major damage. It is definitely walkable; but it is narrow in the damaged areas.
On Otter Creek Road, I was concerned about handicap accessibility.
I saw probably thirty people on Otter Creek Road and only four on the Lake Trail.
I stopped to watch deer at the causeway pond and chipmunks frolicking on the Lake Trail; but saw very few birds. Maybe the geese finally figured out that Radnor was not the best place for them to beg for food from humans and had gone seeking greener pastures. Feeding wildlife is prohibited in the Park. The Park tries to keep the wildlife wild.
The cicadas were practically nonexistent in the Park. Meanwhile, it is so loud at our house a few miles from the Park, that you cannot carry on a conversation outside without yelling.
Radnor is a great place to hike. The rebuilt trails made the Park even better. Plan a visit to the Park, you will not be disappointed.
Happy repaired trails
Links to Radnor Lake
Ganier Ridge, Lake Trail, Otter Creek Road, South Cove and South Lake Trails
