Parks and hiking have been two of the biggest things that have kept me sane during the planet-wide pandemic experience we all have been experiencing. Unfortunately, some recreational areas like tennis courts have been closed until further notice. Trails in certain parks are being closed down as well as part of the ripple. Personally, I enjoy a more rugged hiking experience, so I tend to look for trails described as “rugged”, “very rugged” and so on. Most of those trails within an hour or so of us have been closed, but Anthony managed to do enough research and find McCormick’s Creek State Park.
After our hour and a fifteen-minute drive to the park, our first destination was the waterfall, also known as The Falls on McCormick’s Creek. When we found it, it seemed to be the watering hole of the park: everyone was gathered there. We did our best to enjoy the sights while keeping distancing in mind, snapped a few pictures, and headed to the trails.
After our hour and a fifteen-minute drive to the park, our first destination was the waterfall, also known as The Falls on McCormick’s Creek. When we found it, it seemed to be the watering hole of the park: everyone was gathered there. We did our best to enjoy the sights while keeping distancing in mind, snapped a few pictures, and headed to the trails.
Trail 3 at McCormick’s Creek follows the creek itself. This trail is not for someone uncomfortable with uneven walking surfaces. Anthony and I found ourselves hopping from rock to rock to explore different sides of the creek, making sure to tell the other which rocks were stable. In an off-trail exploration, we found a small cave-like hole in the side of the rock walls surrounding the creek. Honestly, we were sweaty most of the time during this part of the hike. It was definitely rugged.
The rest of the trails that we decided to travel (4 and 10 mostly) were moderately rugged. There were hills and slippery spots, parts of the trail that were thin or close to the edge, and loose rocks and tree roots. But these trails were not as extreme as how we began. These were manageable for families with children and pets. We even had a little time to do some picnicking and morel mushroom hunting on these trails.
McCormick’s Creek normally offers a variety of recreational options. One of the highlights of the trails, Wolf Cave is currently closed, but it is one of the most recognizable features of the park. The Saddle Barn offers horseback riding and pony rides. Camping, RV parking, on-site cabin rental and Inn rental is all currently suspended as well, but this is somewhere Anthony and I have marked as a camping destination for the future.
I know this post is a little shorter than my usual blogs, but the beauty of this park speaks for itself. McCormick’s Creek was a breath of fresh air for me with its scenic falls and challenging trails. I wish we could have stayed for the weekend to explore more of the park, but there will be a chance for that soon!