This hike information is provided by Mike Merz, facilitator of the Osher Institute Special Interest Group (SIG), “Hiking in the Foothills.”
Before hiking, please remember to check trail conditions on the Ridge to Rivers website.
Hike at Veteran’s Trailhead in Eagle
Directions to the Trailhead:
From the intersection at W. State St. and Horseshoe Bend Rd., go about 1.0 mile north on Horseshoe Bend Rd. and turn right on Hill Rd. Parkway for about 0.4 miles. Then turn left onto Dry Creek Cemetery Rd. that is directly across from the entrance to Optimist Youth Sports Complex. Follow Dry Creek Cemetery Rd. across the canal. Don’t enter the cemetery, but follow the obscure “Veterans Trailhead” sign on your right a short distance down to the trailhead. Several alternative routes are available if you are familiar with State Street, Gary Lane, and Hill Road.
View this trailhead on Google Maps.
Trails:
Hike up the Veterans Trail, #114 on the R2R map, then Big Springs Loop, #113 down to Rabbit Run, #115. Then, follow up to the REI Connector that will take you back to the Veteran’s Trail and then to the trailhead. About a 3.5-mile loop on smooth trails that will take about 1.75 hours.
Bathroom:
None at the trailhead, but a nice restroom is available a short drive or walk into the cemetery.
Dogs:
Well behaved dogs are OK. The first 0.8 miles on the Veterans Trail is “on leash;” the other trails are “off-leash under control.”