McKay Hollow Trail

I just got back from hiking at Monte Sano State Park. The park is located at the summit of Monte Sano Mountain, and maintains about 14 miles of hiking/biking trails. I enjoyed an easy 1 1/2 mile run on the South Plateau Loop then veered onto the McKay Hollow trail which is meant for more serious hikers. After about 2 miles on the latter trail I didn't think it seemed all too difficult - it was narrow and buggy, that's for sure; but I didn't think it deserved its double diamond rating. To this point it was generally a gradual downward slope. But then, then the last half mile kicked my ass. By the time I returned to the lodge I was tired, and I was thirsty, and I was sweaty. I made a more careful inspection of the giant trail map, and the McKay Hollow trail drops 600 ft over about 1 1/2 miles, and in the last half mile it earns its double diamonds (I think it's the only double diamond trail in the park).

When I intersected the Natural Well trail I followed it (as was my original plan) for about a quarter mile but every ten steps I got a facefull of spider web, and so it wasn't fun anymore and I returned to the McKay Hollow trail. Where the latter trail ends a sign reads "Natural Well is not maintained as it has been washed out." If the park guys had one of those signs at the other end of the McKay Hollow trail I wouldn't have had to floss my teeth with spider webbing. Douche bags.

And so I bought a nice cold bottle of water and one of delicious orange soda and enjoyed them thoroughly. I discovered the park store sells cold beer. Nice to know if I ever camp up there. So yeah, I had a pretty fun hike.