Lorden Trail

Map:  Open Street Map

Map:  NRPC Map

Map:  Betty Arnold Forest Kiosk Map
Length:  0.5 miles
Identification: Yellow blazes.
Difficulty: Walking: Moderate

                XC skiing: not recommended

                Mountain biking:  Moderate.

Location: Reached from Arnold Trail off Nathaniel Drive or Bicentennial Trail

The Lorden Trail provides another connection between the Arnold Trail on the east and the Bicentennial Trail on the west. Coupled with either leg of the Arnold loop and a section of the Bicentennial Trail the Lorden Path provides another loop returning to the Arnold Trailhead on Nathaniel Drive. The round trip distance is 1.5 miles.  The trail leaves the Arnold Trail 400 feet from the Arnold Trailhead, turning west (right) and rising. The trail stays on higher ground above the stream that drains wetlands to the south and north. There are two stream crossings.  The trail lies mostly under oak, hemlock and pine trees 40-60 years old. Due to the dense forest canopy there is little understory in some areas. Lightning strikes, strong winds or ice storms will open windowsin the canopy and admit sunlight for new seedlings to spring forth. For much of its length the trail follows a route traveled by deer and other animals moving north and south searching for food. The red oaks provide a supply of high-energy acorns which the deer paw for amidst the leaves in winter.  The soils here are thin and poor with many boulders scattered about by the glaciers of the ice age. Occasionally stumps can be seen of trees selectively cut by the previous owner, a lumber company, 40 years ago. The woods were managed as a sustainable forest to encourage long-term forest health and productivity.  The ACC forest management plan continues that philosophy.