Kilburn Pond and Davis Hill

 I drove 2 hours to hike 8.3 miles to pick up 0.3 miles for the spreadsheet. That's it. That's the story. 

Well, a little more detail.. decided to go grab 2 spurs that were added formally after I completed Pisgah State Park previously, and stumbled upon a third not yet added, but I know will be, so grabbed that in anticipation! It was warm, and I'd have liked a little bit more of a breeze, but by the grace of God, it wasn't buggy until the last couple of miles.. I was worried, because my previous non Winter adventures in Pisgah have been horrendous with bugs. I parked at Kilburn Trailhead and it was already busy. By my return 5 hours later, the parking lot was full and cars spilled out and down the road! I started on Kilburn Loop and took the first right once down by the pond. Explored a couple of side paths down to the water. At the junction with John Summers Trail, I continued on Kilburn Loop about a quarter mile to the now marked Kilburn Canyon. One of the new add ons I needed. Not as canyony as I had expected, just a little trek down to the stream with some cascades and cool rock formations coming off the pond. I backtracked to John Summers Trail and finished the loop around the pond. Passed several groups and a lot of the rock outcrops had sun worshippers on them. I was surprised to see so many groups that weren't hikers, just people down to enjoy the pond. I took Town Forest Trail over to Baker Pond and up Davis Hill Trail to the spur for the shelter. There is now an official spur to a viewpoint called Herrick's Ledge which I needed. Back on Davis Hill Trail, I decided to go up and over the highpoint. This is where it started to get buggy and I was also tired, so moving fast to escape the bugs wasn't as doable at this point. It was also a bit wetter along this trail, which might have explained the bugs. I stopped at the bench viewpoint and discovered another new bench that looks back over to Monadnock. Coming back from this was when I saw (had missed it initially) the new spur to the Davis Hill Summit. A short little climb up to the wooded summit marked with a sign for Pisgah High Point.. also the high point for the town of Chesterfield. Along this spur is a large rock with the geologic survey marker as well. I continued back down Davis Hill Trail to complete my big loop. 

Strava Activity

along Kilburn Pond Loop

lots of mountain laurel around the pond today

Kilburn Canyon

back on John Summers Trail

John Summers Trail

along Town Forest Trail

Baker Pond from Baker Pond Trail

to the ledge view

Herrick's Ledge view

along Davis Hill Trail

new bench on Davis Hill Trail

Davis Hill Trail