Spring Valley Trail
It’s sunny and slightly cool. We park at the lower lot along the Mississippi River where the breeze shivers off the water.
It’s always a question, how much to stuff into pockets and where. Do I want the gloves? Will the phone need to be accessible or can it go into the water pack? I know I’ll warm up pretty quickly, so there’s also the “where do I put it all when I’m done with it” consideration.
The paved trail up the hill is wide and busy, shaded by the cliffs. I’ve been on this section before. It’s nice, with a beautiful bridge that crosses the highway and an overlook of the sealed off cave.
Spring Valley Trail is new to me though. It branches off to the left as the path levels off. It’s a narrow dirt trail, obviously designed for mountain bikers, but mostly quiet on this Thursday morning.
It’s generally easy to follow. Several off-shoot trails lead in from the nearby neighborhoods, and there is an inner and outer loop. Trail signs and a couple of maps clear up most hesitation.
Birds call and skitter from tree to tree within the woods. A school bell tolls and children’s chatter briefly edges the trail. In spite of views through the bare banches of the neighborhood bordering the park, it feels like a morning deep in the woods.
Rambling ... 