In my last post about the ACLT – Southern Tract, I mentioned there was also a Northern Tract. We checked out that Northern Tract a few weeks ago on the Friday before Mother’s Day. It was a cooler day, but beautiful! Parking was very easy! The northern trailhead is at Double Oak Farm, which is owned by ACLT. This farm donates 80% of its harvest to a local interfaith food pantry. You can even volunteer to work in the gardens if you so choose. The ACLT trails are free to access, but donations are suggested. Before starting on the trails, please make sure you check in so they can track how many people are out hiking. The directions for doing this are posted at the trailheads. There are porta potties here in the lot, too.
We decided to do the purple Parkers Creek Loop, which is supposed to be close to 4 miles. We started this loop on the Turkey Trail, and we did the Turkey Spur, too. The Spur trail goes downhill to views of Parkers Creek, which was beautiful! Just remember you will have to climb uphill to rejoin the loop!
After soaking up the views of the Creek and looking for Osprey, we made the trek back up to the loop. At the junction of the Turkey Trail and Turkey Spur, we turned left. The name of the trail now is Parkers Creek Trail. This place is amazing in regard to trail markings! Everything is very well marked! As for this trail, there are some ups and downs, but nothing too crazy. There are bridges and boardwalks across streams and mud wallows.
Pebble alternated between walking and riding on my back. We did come across a few trees down across the trail. The first tree was a big one and hubby and I had to help the girls clamber over. The second one, Stormy helped her sisters over.
At the juncture of our trail and the red trail, Double Oak Road Trail, there was bench to sit on with views of the creek. Perfect spot for a snack and a water break!
We continued along the purple trail until we reached a t-intersection. If we turned right, we’d continue on the purple trail, now called the Parker Creek Road Trail. This would lead us back to the car. If we turned left, the trail would cross Parkers Creek, and we’d find the surprise I promised my kids. To cross Parkers Creek, you don’t take a bridge or rock hop. There is a raft and the kids had an absolute blast trying it out! We went back and forth twice! Stormy loved helping hubby and I pull on the cable to move the raft across the water!
After we finished trying the raft out, we started hiking up the trail toward the farm. This was definitely more of a climb as we moved uphill away from the creek, but not as bad as the climbs over on the South Tract. Once we returned to the car, we grabbed our picnic and ate at tables under a pavilion. The girls were beyond thrilled to find a nature playground here too! There were tires to climb on, a sandbox in a wheelbarrow, a birds nest, and a canoe to play in. The canoe and paddles were the biggest hit!
I highly recommend checking this place out! We only saw a handful of people while we were here. Take a look at the map and pick a trail that suits you. I’m sure there are kiddos who would love to try the raft out! Happy trails!