Paradise Valley Conservation Area #46

We have not done any hiking the last couple of weekends due to being sick, visitors ect; so by the time Monday came around this week I was chomping at the bit to get outside and hike. I crave being outside now, more than I used to, and I have noticed it makes a huge difference in how I feel.
This Sabbath I decided to check out Paradise Valley Conservation Area. It isn't too far from our house and there are numerous trails making it so you can do as little as you want, or up to a total of 13 miles. Paradise Valley is a multi use trail system and I do recommend downloading the map. There are sign posts that tell you the name and if it is single or multi use trail. We did encounter a few mountain bikers along the way, but it was easy to move aside for them or them for us, and there were quit a few of us... 4 adults, 6 kids and a dog.
Paradise Valley has a dirt parking area with some major pot holes (it looked like you could go swimming in some of them. lol) as you can see in the picture below. There is also one outhouse in the parking lot. I read that there were maps at the kiosk at the trailhead but there aren't any.

The beginning of the trail.

This is a picture of a plum tree that is starting to bud. Spring is finally on the way!!

The mainline trail had a few of these signs at the begining

all on within a few hundred yards. I didn't see any for the rest of the hike that we did.

See?

The younger kids were happy to go through this "gate."

In some spots the trail divides, which is really nice if there is a biker coming.

L decided that the dog needed to jump the log. She used to do it all of the time, but she has gained some weight and decided that going under is was a better idea.

Miss M to the dog, "Let's catch the boys Cookie!"

Another split in case you don't want to walk in the mud.

I really enjoy wetlands.

Time for a snack.

It is a very flat trail that has openings like this or

very wooded like this picture.

The moss in and on the trees is so beautiful to look at, especially when the sun is peaking through.

We then took the Big Leaf trail which is part of the Mainline trail.

 Best of buds............can't believe that they are young men now, time goes by so fast.

 Even though there is 8 years between these two they are best of friends also.

Waiting for us adults to catch up, they ran most of the trail.

Such a beautiful day and so peaceful even with 6 kids.

Watch your head on this, I am average height and I almost knocked my head on it.

We stayed on the mainline trail again to head back to the car.

There are lots and lots of Sword fern on this hike.

We passed or were passed by these guys a few times. The last one was on this trail with the log ramp, and I was able to take a picture of them using it.

Miss A of course had to walk on it once we arrived at it and the guys were done using it.

After the jump the trail becomes very covered in tree roots, which Miss A and I enjoyed on walking on very much.

A short while later we came to this trail junction that had the cairns built on top of the giant rock. Which if I may so myself is very impressive. We took the trail to the right

If I remember correctly we took another right at this junction to get back to the parking lot.

Then you follow this trail that takes you through this

and then turns into this,

leading you past this,

and into this.

 This last picture is almost back to the parking lot. In all we did 4.3 miles because of some unforeseen circumstances. As in make sure you bring extra clothes. Oh well, live and learn. Until next time!