10/03/2019

Grayson Lake Nature Trail Spotlight: by Grigsby Outdoor Adventures

The Grayson Lake Nature Trail is a trail that many are familiar with, yet surprisingly many others in the area have yet to explore.
This is one of our favorite easy to moderate trails and it loops around the hillside at the Grayson lake spillway area, and meanders along the Little Sandy River. It’s great for an afternoon or evening workout, and the scenery will put you at ease on even the most stressful of days.

You can find the trailhead at the Grayson Lake Spillway recreation area where there is parking, seasonal restrooms, and a shelter house. It is a favorite spot for fisherman as well.  You can choose to start the trail at either end, but we usually start with the river portion. There is a gravel lot at the other end of recreation area and it is there that you will see one large boulder in a pathway that marks the start of the trail. This is also a great Put In site for kayakers eager to experience the Little Sandy River Route.





Here you will enjoy a straight stretch of flat ground that takes you right beside the water, we love looking down to spot carp and catfish, and if time allows we will stop ourselves to fish a bit. There is a section here that has been flooded with standing water for some time, however small foot paths have been created to get around it.

We love seeing people out here enjoying nature.. whether they are fishing... walking their dogs, and once we even spotted a couple snuggled up in a tree hammock watching the river.

Eventually the trail takes a turn and goes upward. Before you go up the steps though, take a short walk to the small path to your left. Go visit Herman! Herman has to be one of the oldest trees in this area.. We aren't experts at identifying tree age, but our guess is he’s well over 150!



Herman loves visitors and is great for selfies... help keep this area clean and Herman safe and healthy... if you see trash along this trail bring a little bag to pack it out with you. If we all do our part in keeping things clean, this beautiful area will continue to stay just that... beautiful.

As you climb the steps to continue the trail you’ll traverse over some small foot bridges and through a Hemlock grove. There are a few small waterfalls to take in along this route, the larger one near trail marker 16. Be cautious along this part of the trail, there are some drop offs.




There are benches all along the trail for moments to rest or simply practice mindfulness and peacefulness. This trail is our main feature for the Wellness Hikes our Licensed therapists conduct. See our webpage for more information on Wellness services. Just pass the waterfall are a grouping of interesting rocks which make a great group photo op as well.

You’ll be passing right between these boulders. It is interesting to see their position and wonder about their history, their formation, how they got there, and what they’ve seen over the years.

We do that a lot in nature. .. wonder.

After this point, you will begin another climb. This is where you get an extra dose of heart rate action and calorie burn! Benches are appropriately placed for rest once you make it up. At the top, you will find a convenient picnic table... have lunch or a snack. There is also part of a multi geocache nearby, as there is also one near the river.

Check out geocaching.com for another neat family hobby to get involved in.

You will begin descent now, and come back out to the road and spillway recreation area. We hope you take this trail soon or visit often, and if interested in booking a wellness hike here with us just let us know.