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Guest column: Get out there - discover local Ponderosa Nature Trail

An unexpected day off of school and unseasonably warm weather took my grandson Gauge and me off on another hike. This time we went to Dogtown Lake, back to the boat ramp, and found the trailhead for the Ponderosa Nature Trail.

Before beginning to hike, we explored the amphitheater, the waterfront and the trail signage, and were glad to find that even though the campground is closed for the winter, some restrooms are open. Being a nature trail, this one is supposed to provide self-guiding pamphlets, but there were none available. I later found out that the pamphlets are available at the Visitor Center in town.

We started down the trail, which was slick with pine needles. The wind rustled the oak leaves, and squirrels darted up and around the ponderosa pines along the way. Everything was dry, dry, dry. I was excited to be taking the trail because I wanted to show Gauge the bridge across the little wash on the back side of the trail.

The trail slants down the hillside into a nice wide grassy valley, which often has running or at least standing water in it. As you are hiking along, just past post number five, the trail splits. The fork to the right goes on to become the Davenport Hill Trail. We went to the left and continued on to the bridge.

Much to our surprise, the bridge was gone! I was so disappointed! All that was left was a cement marker with a post in the middle of it that read "YCC 1979." I believe that was from the original bridge, which was replaced about 10 years ago with a new model, but now even that is gone.

From there the trail circles around and crosses Dogtown Wash, and soon completes a loop. At that point you go out the way you came in. This mile-long hike is one of my favorites for bringing visitors from out of town who want a good example of what our woods are like.

Gauge and I explored the spillway and the dam. A large redtail hawk flew into a tree and posed for us. Yellow and white butterflies danced along beside us. We watched a couple of frisky chipmunks cavort around the parking lot for a few minutes, and headed home.

Once at home, I called the Forest Service to find out what happened to the bridge. It seems it got washed out in a flood a few years ago, and completely disappeared!

(Editor's note: Andrea Dunn is a longtime Williams resident who enjoys hiking and the great outdoors. She continues to share her outdoor adventures and places to hike with us through this column.)


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