Muddy Ruins - Bear Spring Mountain Trail No. 8

Bear Spring Mountain, a state forest preserve located in the towns of Colchester and Walton in Delaware County, is a showcase of fantastic views, opportunities for up-close encounters with wildlife, an abundance of water features, a variety of flora, fauna and wild edibles to be enjoyed.

Trail 8, located near the bottom of the park, off West Trout Brook Road (accessed from state Route 206), begins at Middle Pond. It is the sloppiest and wettest trail in the system, partially due to a recent timber harvest and because it is the catch basin for run-off from the eastern peak. State maintenance crews also just installed three new drainage culverts along the first half-mile of trail, which will keep soup-footing until summer.

A pair of waterproof boots with hearty tread - NOT sneakers - are highly recommended on this trail. 

The trail begins with a man made waterfall - an excellent place to cool off in the summer since it is heavily shaded with a never-ending spray.  

If you are lucky, you might spot a rainbow! (lower right hand corner)

Explorers have pulled out old farm house implements buried in the mountainside but exposed by the weather and time - and tucked them into and atop the stone walls. There are pieces of old silverware,  pottery, colored glass, nails, etc. 

The multi-use trail is a direct connection to Spruce Grove, where trailered horses are permitted to be stabled. Don't be surprised to find horse-prints in the mud or an occasional horse and rider on the trail.  The 2.3 mile trail is rated as easy, outfitted with several meadows and ponds, tons of apple trees, and hardwood forest throughout the mostly shaded trail. 

Trail side, late spring through mid-summer, there are a plethora of wild edibles - such as bergamont, wild strawberries, yellow dock, watercress, knotweed and acorns, present. In the autumn months look for berries and apples.

There are also several ghosts of farms past along the trail in the form of partially exposed stone foundations. These are worth stopping for.

Early spring is the perfect time to access this trail as mother nature has yet to don her leaves and greenery after awaking from a winter's rest, and landscape visibility is prime. 

In much the same fashion as people constructed roads alongside rivers and other waterways, the length of the trail hugs the mountain stream. There are places where the stream manspreads into a thirsty field with last season's knee-high grass disguising mired footing.  

Though wet, muddy and sticky this trail has its attributes. There are numerous foot bridges, wild flowers, water features and ruins to be explored and enjoyed at any time of the year. Hike on!

* Lillian Browne works as a newspaper and travel magazine editor to fund her adventure habit - which she indulges every chance she gets. She is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram or on Twitter @browneinwalton