Hike 36 - Beechwood Nature Trails - 2.5 miles

Over Memorial Day weekend, during which I unfortunately had to work, I still managed to complete three more hikes.  Even though the paths chosen were significantly shorter than most previous efforts, new challenges and opportunities were discovered nonetheless. 

On Sunday, I received a phone call from my wife, Jackie, asking if I wanted to go hiking after work.  You don't have to guess my reply.  We had decided to hike the short, but hopefully scenic, Beechwood Nature Trails, just north of the city in the Fox Chapel area.  At around 7:30, we arrived at our destination.  The GPS was more than efficient at getting us there, but we probably wouldn't have needed it anyway.  For those of you familiar with Pittsburgh, the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is located on Dorseyville road, just south of its intersection with Harts Run Road. 

We easily found a parking spot and began trekking along the Oak Forest Trail.  There are a half-dozen or so trails that wind throughout the area and the junctions are posted clearly.  However, one could easily get lost without a map or directions.  Two and a half miles isn't a very long way to walk, but within seconds, the parking lot disappears and you are surrounded by forest.  It is very easy to become disoriented in such circumstances, especially as it was for us since it would be getting dark soon.

As the sunset began, so did out walk along a meadow full of wildflowers, then past a pavilion of sorts near a lake that featured a few ducks and a memorial to an area bird-watcher.  Onward and uphill, we passed through  some light forest and then downhill until we came to an old roadway.  There are quite a few benches in the first sections of these trails, offering scenic spots to sit and rest - or solicit a kiss.

Following the directions in 50 hikes in Western Pennsylvania, we turned right onto the Spring Hollow Trail, then came to a junction with Woodland Trail.  The book says here to "continue ahead on Woodland Trail," but it fails to mention which way.  One can either go straight or to the left, both of which are signed as Woodland Trail.  We opted for the left, which, in hindsight, was probably not the author's intention.  However, it did lead us to the next scheduled junction.  We found Meadow View Trail, then followed it to Pine Hollow Trail, which led us across a private roadway, then deeper into the forest.

By now it was beginning to get quite dark.  The sun's light was still visible above, but the sun, itself, had already sunk below the horizon.  The twilight was upon us and we weren't sure how much longer we would have until the light faded away completely.  With our eyes becoming adjusted to the dim conditions, we plodded onward, following the trail back up the hillside and across the private roadway once again.  Soon enough, we turned right on Meadow View Trail, then right on Spring Hollow Trail, leading us down a wide pathway which brought us, sooner than expected, to the parking lot. 

Hiking at dusk has its merits.  The weather is cooler, the bugs are less active, and the trails are less crowded.  However, all three of these will do you no good if you are lost in the woods in the dark.  Even though this was a short trail, we were sufficiently deep into the wilderness to be cut off from all visible civilization.  I thought that we would be able to hike the 2.5 mile loop in about an hour or so, but it took a little while longer than expected.  Should have brought a flashlight.

I give this one a 7/10.  It's a nice hike, and not too long.  Would be great for kids and dogs, but one of these is not permitted (i.e. no dogs allowed).  The nature center was closed when we went, but it seems like it would be a fitting accompaniment to the trail.  The various paths and their junctions are well-marked, but I would still recommend taking a map.  Even though it's a shorter venture, give yourself plenty of time.  There are a lot of things to see (while it's light out) and many places to stop and admire this enclave of nature. 

But bring a flashlight, just in case.