Diamond Rock Preserve

Date of Hike: Monday, November 9, 2015

Total Distance: 7.53 Miles

Avg speed: 2.3 MPH

Total Time: 3:16:28

Conditions: Partly Sunny, 57 degrees

Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, Some Difficult

On Monday, November 9th, I took a hike around the Diamond Rock Preserve located in the Malvern, PA area. To add some extra distance since the preserve is small (approximately 52 acres), I started out at the Great Valley Nature Center and hiked the Horse-Shoe Trail to get to the preserve.

Part of the Open Land Conservancy, the Diamond Rock Preserve is one of eight preserves within the Great Valley area, most of which are in Tredyffrin Township. The Open Land Conservancy was established in 1939 and has since protected and preserved approximately 482 acres. The above mentioned eight preserves total 380 acres that are open to the public and and additional 118 acres are conservation easements. The original land at the Diamond Rock Preserve consisted of 24.2 acres and was gifted to the Open Land Conservancy in 1994 by the Natural Lands Trust.

The Diamond Rock Preserve is in the eastern end of the below track, closest to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From what I've found, none of the preserves from the Open Land Conservancy are on Google Maps.

As stated, I parked at the Great Valley Nature Center and hiked the Horse-Shoe Trail to get to the preserve. That address is:

4180 Hollow Road
Malvern, PA 19355
GPS: 40.0908442,-75.5442263

If you just want to explore the Diamond Rock Preserve, there's a small place to park in a cul-de-sac on Chautauqua Trail. That approximate address is:

2000 Chautauqua Trail
Malvern, PA 19355
GPS:  40.0908442,-75.5442263

Below is a zoomed in shot of the Diamond Rock Preserve, Chautauqua Trail is the road furthest to the east and where I turned around to head back to the nature center after exploring. For a copy of the trail map, click here. Make sure to bring it along if you decide to go, none were available at the preserve.

Zoomed in shot of the Diamond Rock Preserve

Since I already hiked this section of the Horse-Shoe Trail back in September, I didn't take many pictures until I got to the preserve. The below trees were alongside Union Hill Road

One of the cool parts of hiking when there aren't any leaves on the trees is that you can see further into the woods. The last time I passed through this section of the Horse-Shoe Trail, I didn't spot this boat seemingly in the middle of the woods. There is some private property close bye but it's not very close.

Once I took pictures of the boat, I didn't take any more until I arrived on the outskirts of the Diamond Rock Preserve. At this point, the Horse-Shoe Trail turns in a northeasterly direction (left) and the trail(s) of the preserve continue heading eastward (right).

There's quite a bit of rock in this area although there aren't any to climb over on the trails.

Like most of my hike to the Diamond Rock Preserve, leaves from the trees are now covering most trails, especially those that aren't used often.

While continuing my trek in an eastward direction, I spotted some trail markers to the north and decided to take a quick look. I didn't go too far (yet) since it led me in the direction of the Horse-Shoe Trail and most of the preserve trails are to the south.

After exploring the section of trail to the north and turning back to the main trail of the preserve, I turned to the east again. By now, I was outside the boundaries of the preserve although the trail keeps going. A little further to the east, you'll find this metal contraption whatever it may be.

The trail continues to the east and another trail takes a turn to the northeast leading to the remnants of what used to be a quarry. Unfortunately, I could not find any information on what this quarry was about or what materials it was mined for.

If you look to the lower right side of this picture, you can see the remnants of a road/trail. 

I circled around to the lower part of the quarry following the above road (heading northward) alongside the cliffs. This quarry wasn't too deep and the bottom wasn't filled with water like you'd see with other abandoned quarries. I still used caution walking around though, who knows if there may have been deep holes in the ground!

A layer of what looks like quartz in the middle of the cliff. 

As I reached close to the top of this small hill, I turned back. Just behind the below cliff was private property and although I didn't see any "no trespassing" signs, I'm not sure I was supposed to be in this area in the first place.

Returning back to the main trail, I headed back to the west until I found a trail marker leading me to the south.

At first, the walk down this hill was gradual and took me in a southwest direction.

Still a few colors left on the trees! 

Eventually, the trail took another turn heading south, then to the southeast. With this turn, the trail also became more steep.

I previously mentioned that one of the advantages of hiking during the fall (and winter) is that you can see much further into the woods and spot things you may not find while there are still leaves on the trees.

However, there are also a few disadvantages to hiking in the fall as well. With leaves covering the trails, especially ones that aren't used often, it's near impossible to walk quietly while stepping on dry leaves. Perhaps this worked to my advantage this time around because I saw a good number of deer running away during my hike.

Another more dangerous disadvantage of leaves on the ground is that you have no idea what's underneath them. You're walking on uneven terrain in the woods among rocks, tree roots, and pockets or small holes in the ground. While I'm well aware of this, it's impossible to avoid. During this adventure, I stepped on a slanted rock which twisted my ankle and made me fall on my keyster. I knock on wood as I say this and hope karma doesn't come back to bite me for doing so, but I've thankfully never been injured on the trail. I got lucky this time around!

One more disadvantage of hiking in the fall, especially on trails that aren't well used is that you can't always find the trail! Had it not been for the trail markers throughout the Diamond Rock Preserve, there's no way I would have been able to make my way through as well as I did. While the trail markers at the preserve are pretty good, there were also a number of places where I had to stop and look around to find the next one since I had no idea where the actual trails were.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is in the background. By now, I was close to the bottom of the hill. 

By now, I was headed in a northward direction and back up the hill. Getting down the hill wasn't so tough but this hill was a relatively steep climb upward and a reason I rated this hike as "some difficult".

Back to the main trail that headed in an east/west direction, I cut across and continued to the north overlapping where I had been earlier in the day. This time, I continued northward until I reached the Horse-Shoe Trail. Note that while there are trail markers in this section of the preserve, the trails are not shown on the map.

Back on the Horse-Shoe Trail and on the eastern side of the Diamond Rock Preserve, you'll find this sign.

Once back on the Horse-Shoe Trail, I turned to the northeast and hiked until I reached Chautauqua Trail. I believe this is the area where you can park if you just want to check out the preserve. In all, I think you may get a mile, maybe two within the preserve itself.

View from Chautauqua Trail looking to the north

Once I was done at Chautauqua Trail, I turned back to the southwest to head back to the car. Along the way, I took a few more pictures within the preserve and the rest of the way back, I was on cruise control.

Almost back to the car by now, I spotted this tree with the red leaves and got a close-up. I believe by now, I was close to Aldham Road which is a short distance from the Great Valley Nature Center.

That was it for my adventure to the Diamond Rock Preserve. In all, if you decide you only want to explore the preserve, your adventure will be relatively short. I'd suggest if you want to go this route that you make this one of your stops and not the only one unless you're looking to get a quick hour's worth of hiking in (maybe a little more depending on your pace). If you'd like to increase the distance of your hike, you can park at the Great Valley Nature Center or Valley Forge and head to the preserve by way of the Horse-Shoe Trail.

Perhaps I'll eventually return to the Diamond Rock Preserve but giving how small it is, it won't be on the top of my priority list. The preserve is quite nice and was worth the adventure to get out there. Despite falling on my keyster, the challenge of the terrain and checking out the abandoned quarry made it worth while.

Until next time, happy exploring and happy hiking!

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Horse-Shoe Trail - Valley Forge to Great Valley Nature Center

Date of Hike: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Total Distance: *16.2 Miles

Avg speed: Unknown

Avg moving speed: Unknown

Moving Time: Unknown

Total Time: Approximately 6 hours

Conditions: Sunny, 91 Degrees

Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, some Difficult

*Once again, my GPS app lost its signal a few times during my hike which finally pushed me to make the decision to use a different app to track my progress. Since I started hiking, I've been using an app that works with Google by the name of My Tracks. Unfortunately, with the number of times I've lost my GPS signal in recent weeks, I've decided to make a switch to a new tracking app. Looking at the recent reviews, it turns out I'm not the only one who has been experiencing this problem. With this being said, it's going to change the format of my statistics a little bit and perhaps the screenshots of my hikes as well.

My Tracks losing GPS signal

For the time being, I've made a switch over to US Topo Maps, both the free and pro versions...yes, I finally caved in and actually bought a GPS tracking app! With the switch to this new app, I also have some options that I didn't have before, namely a choice of numerous different map overlays. Here's a sample of one of the maps. I like that it shows the altitude rings better than what the terrain view of Google Maps has. The altitude rings look to be in 10 foot increments and they don't disappear when you zoom in.

One of several US Topo Maps overlay views

Ok, time to get back on track. This past Wednesday, I returned to the Horse-Shoe Trail, this time between Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Great Valley Nature Center for what is now my longest hike of the season. It was a heck of a hike and to say I was tired by the end would be an understatement.

I started my hike from Varnum's Picnic Area which is about a mile east from the actual start of the Horse-Shoe Trail.

I've been down these trails a number of times so I didn't take too many pictures in the beginning. This is the trail leading down the hill from the parking lot that leads to the Chapel Trail. If you'd like to see the Chapel Trail, take a look at my post from what I hiked Mount Joy.

Here it is, the official beginning of the Horse-Shoe Trail. I took a picture of this when I hiked Mount Misery in June. From what I've recently read, the Horse-Shoe Trail is now 148 miles long.

These next few pictures are areas I've already been on as well.

Remains of the Colonial Springs Bottling Plant

There's a pretty long hill to climb before you get to where the Horse-Shoe Trail splits off to the west and the main reason I gave it a "some difficult" rating. The hill isn't too bad but what also makes this climb difficult are the rocks on the trail. You'll definitely need to watch where you're walking so you don't end up turning an ankle or tripping.

Once the Horse-Shoe Trail cuts to the west with the Mount Misery Trail continuing eastward, you'll find this trail register.

Horse-Shoe Trail turning to the west away from the Mount Misery Trail

Lots of rocks to walk over!

On the Horse-Shoe Trail looking back to Valley Forge

Like the rest of my recent hikes on the Horse-Shoe Trail, you'll be passing close to or through private property. Once you exit the boundary of Valley Forge, you'll see this fence alongside the trail.

Not too far from the above fence, you'll see this tin man and some other decorations alongside the trail.

The first road you'll cross over will be North Forge Mountain Drive.

I've seen this a number of times over the last few weeks and am curious to know what it might be. I believe this to be the work of mealybugs.

This section of the trail while short is very well taken care of. It looks like sandstone was laid down.

The next road you'll get to is Forge Mountain Drive and from there, a turn to the northwest for a very short distance. Once it intersects with High Point Lane, it turns back to the west again.

Trail across from High Point Lane

Heading west, you'll pass these few towers.

I wonder what this sign used to say

Once you pass the towers, you'll be following a dirt road for a short distance.

The dirt road will lead you to the Horseshoe Trail road and directly across the street is the Valley Forge Mountain Swim Club. This section of the Horseshoe Trail is paved for a distance.

You'll pass Horseshoe Pointe Drive along the way.

Looking west on Horseshoe Trail

I'm not sure if this is what this sign is about but I found some information in the meeting minutes from the Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors in regards to a request to build an amateur radio antennae on Valley Forge Mountain.

The paved Horseshoe Trail will then cross over Country Club and Clothier Springs Roads.

I ended up getting turned around in this area but it was by my own doing. I saw the below sign and walked past it, continuing on to the end of this section of the paved Horseshoe Trail. After turning around, I realized my mistake and kept moving. Once the Horseshoe Trail cuts to the south is where the unpaved Horse-Shoe Trail continues to the west.

The next roads you'll cross over are Chautauqua Trail and Wheelock Lane

I've had plans to explore the Diamond Rock Preserve but what I didn't know was that the Horse-Shoe Trail cuts right through the middle of it. Beginning in 1939, the Open Land Conservancy has protected approximately 482 acres of land from development in the Great Valley area.

Once you get to the western edge of the Diamond Rock Preserve, the Horse-Shoe Trail takes a turn to the northwest. Once you reach Howell Road, the trail then turns back to the west again.

Looking west on Howell Road

The Horse-Shoe Trail then takes another turn off Howell Road to the northwest, then southwest, then northwest again alongside Rees Road.

The trail then crosses over Blackstone Road, still heading northwest.

A short distance after you cross over Blackstone Lane, you'll cross over Rees Road and into the woods across the street for a short distance.

The next road you'll get to is White Horse Road. Cross over the street and from there, the trail cuts through the woods alongside the road heading northeast.

Once you get to the corner of White Horse and Union Hill Roads, the trail turns again to the northwest.

Union Hill Road was probably one of the tougher challenges of the hike other than walking through Valley Forge. The hill there was a bit on the steep side and it was long.

Passing Tinker Hill Lane along the way

Union Hill Road turns to the north, then makes another turn back to the northwest. Once it turns back to the northwest, the Horse-Shoe Trail then turns off the road heading to the west.

The Thompson Trail shoots off the Horse-Shoe Trail at Union Hill heading north and leads to Tinker Hill Road somewhere around the Graham Road area. With this one hike, I've now found two more places to check out on another day!

The Horse-Shoe Trail changes directions a few times after turning off Union Hill Road.

Crossing over an old set of railroad tracks along the Horse-Shoe Trail

The trail will then lead you to Aldham Road and turns to the southwest.

Follow Aldham Road until you get to State Road (State Route 29). Directly across the street from there is Hollow Road and a very short distance from there is the Great Valley Nature Center.

At the Great Valley Nature Center, I stopped at a bench directly across the creek from the parking lot to take a break and get a bite to eat.

Intersection of State Road and Hollow Road. When I hiked the Horse-Shoe Trail from the Great Valley Nature Center to the Brightside Farm, I made note that I couldn't find the Horse-Shoe trail while exploring the nature center. The reason for this is that it doesn't cut through the nature center, it follows Hollow Road until it turns off right around here.

Note that if you'd like to check out the Thompson Trail, there's a small place to park on the eastern side of State Road. You could also park at the Great Valley Nature Center if you don't mind crossing over State Road which can be busy at times.

On my return to Valley Forge, I didn't take too many pictures. This is the view looking back towards the nature center on Aldham Road.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I have a bad habit of losing my towels while hiking. During my hike, my shoulder started to hurt a bit from my backpack so I made an adjustment to it. Apparently, when I made that adjustment, my towel also decided to jump off. Thankfully (sort of), it was hot outside so I noticed within a few minutes and was able to backtrack and pick it up.

While I'm mentioning it being hot outside, here's a small tidbit of information/word of caution. On my return hike back to Valley Forge and even though I was sweating from the heat, I started getting the chills which means my body was feeling the effects of heat stress. Heat stress is caused by a number of factors. For starters, hot and humid weather reduces the ability for the body to cool itself down, sweating depletes the salt in your body, wearing a hat prevents heat from escaping from your head, and dehydration, just to name a few.

I always wear a hat to keep the sun out of my eyes and any arachnids from finding a home in my scalp (the hat is treated with permethrin). While I'm hiking and if I start to get hot, I do take it off which I did when I started getting the chills. I also didn't eat any snacks that had any salt in them so this could have also contributed to the problem, and I'm pretty sure I had enough water with me although I did run out before getting back to Valley Forge. Thankfully, there are water fountains at the park!

Lesson learned, if you ever start to get the chills when you're sweating, especially on a hot and humid day, listen to your body, stop and take a rest to let it cool down some, preferably in a shady spot.

Dropped my towel again, at least I found and recovered it this time! 

On my way to the Great Valley Nature Center, I walked right past the Wharton Esherick Museum without even realizing it. I've been aware of this museum for a while and knew it was alongside the Horse-Shoe Trail and when I walked past it, noticed the parking spaces and a wooden walkway leading to the building, I just didn't know this was it. I'll eventually check it out but for the cost ($15) and needing to make a reservation, I didn't want to do this during a hike.

Grapes anyone?

That was about it for my hike on the Horse-Shoe Trail for the day. I think the next time I hit this trail, I'll be a little more careful about how far I decide to hike on such a hot day. I've been hiking in the heat all summer long and this is the first time I ended up getting the chills. This was also my longest hike of the season so I picked a heck of a day to hike this far. By the end, my feet were feeling every step and any hill I had to climb became quite the project.

In all, it was a good hike that I'd definitely do again. The difference with the Horse-Shoe Trail and hiking at preserves, state parks, etc., is that you're walking on roads and you're never far from private property. It's not really my style when it comes to hiking since I prefer being more secluded but it's still a pretty fun adventure.

Until next time, happy exploring and happy hiking!

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