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Introduction
Trail 3 is a linear trail that can be accessed from (A) the Beech Grove picnic area and parking lot along the Canyon Road just north of Poplar Grove, (B) from across the Poplar Grove parking lot, and (C) from the “crow’s foot” junction via Trail 1. Points A or B are the usual points of entry.
The segment of trail along the canyon wall is a good place for wildflowers.
The Park property map classes Trail 3 as ~1 mile rugged trail. The complete route (one-way) described here is about 0.8 miles.
blue = trail, yellow dots = approximate locations of some features as described in the text
Along the Way
From the “traditional” start of Trail 3 at Beech Grove (A), descend a short distance and you will encounter an abandoned chimney and shelter (D). This is a vestige of a CCC era shelter. The central chimney is noteworthy.
entry to Trail 3 from Beech Grove with old shelter in distance
chimney and rock corners at abandoned CCC-era shelter
chimney and rock corners at abandoned CCC-era shelter
The trail descends further towards a footbridge over a small tributary of Hoffman Branch (E). At this point, there is a junction with Trail 4.
approach to footbridge over unnamed stream, ruins at upper right, Trail 4 to lower right
the footbridge with ruins in upper right
As you approach and cross over the footbridge, you can see to the right the wall and foundation of an abandoned CCC shelter – the original Poplar Grove shelter and latrine (F).
part of the ruins of the CCC-era Poplar Grove shelter house or latrine
part of the ruins of the CCC-era Poplar Grove shelter house or latrine
part of the ruins of the CCC-era Poplar Grove shelter house or latrine
Continue uphill then and veer to the right along the ridge top at Poplar Grove. Imagine that in the early park, the original Poplar Grove shelter (and latrine) was to your right below the ridge top! Pass the Trail 3 access point, and head down the trail to the far corner where Trail 1 goes left toward the Nature Center (G). Trail 3 descends very very steeply here down the canyon wall. Near the bottom of the canyon, there is a junction (H) with Trail 4 which heads down to the mouth of Hoffman Branch. To stay on Trail 3, turn left at this junction following the canyon wall to meet Trails 1 and 2 at the crow’s foot junction.
Point G at the corner of Poplar Grove - Trail 3 heads down, Trail 1 heads left
on the way down to the Trail 4 junction
on the way down to Trail 4 junction
looking back up the rock stairs
down the steps, then Trail 3 continues to left, Trail 4 goes right
Along the way to the junction, you will be walking along the canyon wall above the path of Brough’s railway. Note an old concrete fence post along the way, then a retaining wall (I) down hill shortly before the crow's foot junction. This section is very nice for wildflowers in season.
short concrete post on hillside of trail
close-up short concrete post on hillside of trail
view from the footbridge
closer view
Using Trail 3
do a back and forth using the route outlined above
treat this as a nice loop trail by following the route outlined here, but return by Trail 1 from the crow's foot then back to Poplar and Beech Grove areas by the road or trail
Trail 3 is also part of these interesting hikes described at our Hiking the Trails page:
Hoffman Canyon Hikes - this has the most commonly used hikes using Trails 4 and 3. One just loops the canyon while the others loops but connects further down Trail 1 to the Nature Center.
the shorter and easier Nature Center/Poplar Grove Ridge Hike that remains on the ridge top
the Nature Center/Poplar Grove Canyon Hike that descends deeper into the canyon
the Hoffman Canyon Ridge Hike
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