Poundingmill Trail (#349)
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Route map of the Poundingmill Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...
Route map of the Poundingmill Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...
Poundingmill/South Mills River Trail Junction -- 2,460'
This is the lower terminus of the Poundingmill Trail, seen on the right at its junction with the South Mills River Trail. This spot is located approximately two miles from the Turkey Pen Trailhead via the latter path...
Poundingmill/South Mills River Trail Junction -- 2,460'
The Poundingmill Trail, as seen at its lower terminus at the South Mills River Trail...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #1) -- 2,460'
The trail immediately hops across its namesake, Poundingmill Branch...this will be the first of many, many crossings...
Compared to other trails in this area, the Poundingmill sees far less traffic. It's therefore more likely that, on this trail, you'll encounter more frequent obstacles such as blowdowns and the like...
The lower portion of the trail follows the floor of the drainage through a thick tangle of rhododendron...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #2) -- 2,530'
Crossing Poundingmill once again...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #3) -- 2,550'
...and, almost immediately, again...
Good to know...might be a more useful sign at the ends of the trail but still, good to know...
Here the trail crosses another old forest road which doesn't (from what I can find) have a number designation...
Every so often the trail will stay up above the rhododendron thickets, giving some relief from battling low-hanging branches...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #4) -- 2,600'
The fourth crossing (ascending) is technically bridged, though the limit of its human carrying capacity is somewhat dubious. A rock hop may be a better bet...
Into the clear for a minute again...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #5) -- 2,630'
...and then it's time to make yet another crossing...
Uphill through a woodland cathedral...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #6) -- 2,670'
None of the stream crossings along the trail are too difficult...however, after heavy rains, it might be a problematic route...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #7) -- 2,680'
One of the trickier crossings due to the low ceiling overhead...
Looking up at the adjacent hillside...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #8) -- 2,700'
Get ready, the crossings are going to come fast and furious along this next stretch...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #9) -- 2,710'
...crossing nine (ascending)...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #10) -- 2,720'
...crossing ten (ascending)...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #11) -- 2,740'
...crossing eleven (ascending)...
Poundingmill Trail (Crossing #12) -- 2,760'
...crossing twelve (ascending)...