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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 Park property map classes Trail 3 as ~1 mile rugged trail.
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
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.
Along the way to the junction, you will be walking along the canyon wall above the path of Brough’s railway. Note a retaining wall (I) down hill shortly before the crow's foot junction.
view from the footbridge
closer view
Using Trail 3
most simply, treat this as a loop trail by following the route here and going up Trail 1 back to Poplar and Beech Grove areas
loop Hoffman Branch by going down trail 4 on one side of the Hoffman Canyon and going up the other side on Trail 3 - or the reverse
use as part of the Hoffman Loop (Trails 1, 3, and 4) or the shorter and easier Poplar Grove Loop that uses Trail 1 and remains on the ridge top
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