Trail Notes: From the Nature Center cross the bridge and turn right onto the red blazed Loggers Tr. In 0.63 miles pass tan blazed Ridge trail on the left. In another 0.15 miles cross a gas pipeline swath.

In about 0.09 miles turn right onto the white blazed Short Cut Trail. If you miss this simply turn right onto yellow blazed Ivy Hill Trail at the next trail junction. If you turn right on the Short Cut Trail turn right onto yellow blazed Ivy Hill Trail in 0.15 miles.

In another 0.3 miles cross another pipeline swath. Descend for another 0.37 miles to a side trail on the left that leads to a small pond, a nice lunch spot.

After a break continue on the yellow blazed Ivy Hill Trail. Keep a sharp eye as the route leaves a woods road, turning left and crossing Baisman Run.

The trail will cross the run a couple more times before joining S. James Campbell Tr (also yellow blazed). Ascend 0.81 miles up S. James Campbell Trail (blaze color unknown at this time), crossing a gas pipeline swath again, to it's junction with red blazed Loggers Trail.

Bear right onto the Loggers Trail and take a short spur out to the top of an old ski slope and a view of Hunt Valley. Note the concrete foundations for the lift cable.

Continue along the Logger Trail for another 0.41 miles to yet another pipeline swath. Turn left (uphill) and walk a short distance before turning right onto orange blazed Lake Tr. Cross a one log bridge with hand rail and rejoin the logger trail at the other end of the lake. Bear left onto it and follow it back to the Nature Center.

Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes

Critique this outing

________________________________________

Name: Donna
Date(s) of Hike:07/19/15
Hike Name: Oregon Ridge
Ranking: 4
Outing Critique: We were pleased nearly all of this hike was wooded (except for the pipeline swaths) since the temperature was in the 90s. The heat may have been the reason there weren't more people out. The 'pond' wasn't much, but still a nice place for lunch with plenty of flat seating. The path is wide enough for several friends to walk and talk together. But interesting enough with rocks, roots, stream crossings and elevation changes. I think this would probably be awesome for trail running.

There is one point I would like to clarify that the person from '07 wrote about, but I missed reading. You do walk a short distance to find the Orange blazed trail, but you find the Red one first. The red one puts you on the wrong side of the lake. Interesting, but we had to back track to catch the orange trail.

Including our backtracking we did 5 miles in 2.5 hours. This is a very nice hike!________________________________________

Name: Ted E. Bear and Shortstack Hike: Oregon Ridge

Date: 11/09/13 Rating: 4

This was Ted E. Bear�s first hike after recovering from a painful bout of plantar faciitis and his first hike in this park. Oregon Ridge was a great place to test out how well the old feet would work. For a small park this 5 mile hike had a little of everything: rock hops, hills, views, stream crossings, and even a quaint little pond. Shortstack knew the park so we didn�t pay attention to the directions which we had with us just in case. We did get a little off track once or twice because of the heavy leaf litter covering the trails this time of year. On the brisk Saturday morning when we started there were few other hikers, but by the time we finished the parking lot was full - so start early. (Gates opened at 8:45.) The only negative was a particular ignorant arrogant local with a dog, who ignored the leash your dog rule, and when behind us, the dog got in front of us once or twice. Fortunately the dog had bells on so we heard it coming. Owner of dog with bells on - please leash your dog! Note what we think of you above.

________________________________________

Name: ejmcclary Hike: Oregon Ridge
Date: 3/2/08 Rating: 3

Critique: Thanks a lot for the great directions; they got me through this trail perfectly in an hour and a half - first time I've ever been to this place. The most confusing part to me was at the first gas pipeline swath where we cross it, I wasn't sure to go left or right. Go right and then walk straight till you get to the white blazed Short Cut Trail.

The side trail to the lunch spot is not required since you can get there by staying on the yellow path; however the side path definitely gives more challenge as it is a scramble downward towards the end.

You will also be required to cross the stream about 4 times, but they are all very easy crossing over rock. Be prepared to get wet just in-case you fall in for those cold days. This is a very beautiful trail with lots of water, ponds and trees, by far one of my more favorite very close by parks.

When I got there the handrail and the two logs towards the end were very sturdy and showed no signs of significant structural damage. I couldn't get a crack out of them no matter how much I hopped...

________________________________________

Name: Raven Hike: Oregon Ridge
Date: 10/14/07 Rating: 3

Critique: The trails are beautiful, but the left turn to stay on Ivy Hill trail is not easily visible when there are leaves on the trees -- a branch completely covers the sign until you're right on top of it, and the side trail you must take looks like one of many, many other adjunct trails not noted on the map. If you miss the turn, you'll climb up a fairly steep hill, only to hit Ivy Hill Road (paved), which is the park boundary. Then you'll have to turn around and hike back down that steep hill.

In addition, when you get to the end of the loop and back on the Logger's Trail, the "Turn left (uphill) and walk a short distance before turning right onto orange blazed Lake Tr."... you'll see the right onto Logger's Trail before you get to the Lake Trail. If you take the Logger's Trail, there are a few steep descents and ascents that might be challenging for some hikers. (There's a scramble uphill where one is well advised to use handholds, for example.) The one log bridge at the end of Lake Trail is currently two logs, both fairly rotted, and a wobbly handrail. It's precarious, and I hope they replace the logs with ones that don't crack under your feet soon.

________________________________________