Java’s Perspective – Macedonia Brook State Park

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Java Johnson

Java here. I’m back to tell you about another really fun hike! My humans do a lot of hiking, which is great for me and even better for you! We just finished the 6.8 mile loop in Macedonia Brook State Park this weekend, and I thought I’d write to all my fellow trail lovers. Read on for my review of the blue loop from the best perspective! A dog’s!

I think my favorite part of the trail is the Macedonia Brook which runs right through the middle of the park and bisects the trail. It’s so fun to swim, catch sticks, cool off, and begin the hike with a drink. Water is an important addition for this hike, bring enough for pups and humans alike. My humans opted to go on a beautiful day–sun shining, clear skies, green forests!–but that also meant heat. I love wearing my cooling bandana on days like that, and I appreciate that my humans always pack an extra bit of water and a few snacks for me when we do longer hikes like this one. I also recommend you pack a few extra snacks for your humans! My humans can get very hungry when I take them hiking.

We tackled the loop counter-clockwise from the parking lot at the southern entrance to the park. The first series of hills were wonderful! The trail on the east side of the brook is an easier overall trek. While it doesn’t offer views like the trail on the west side, it is an accessible stretch for those hikers who are less avid or for pups who are still learning the hiking ropes. The extra water comes in handy on this stretch as there isn’t much water until you’re already about 2.5 miles into the trek. There are a few bail-out trails on both sides if you find yourself improperly equipped for the trek, and there is a nice flat, grassy roadway that takes you back to the parking lot if you finish one half of this trek and opt out of the other half.

My humans got a bit confused–as they do–when we finished the east side and started the second half of the loop. I barked at them a few times to keep them on the blue trail, and they just decided to be humans. Make sure you tell your humans just to stick to the trail. You do have to walk along a few of the service roads for the park, but it’s a nice break before you start trekking up again. This is also one of the last areas you will find water, so make sure you take a few drinks and cool yourself off before you hike the western half of the trail. Look at me in my bandana! I soaked it in the brook to keep me extra cool!

The western half of the blue loop is definitely more difficult. There are several rock scrambles and some areas get a bit steep for the inexperienced hiker and her pup. Take your time, and pay attention to your footings. For pups who don’t like jumping down into confined spaces (you just never know what might be hiding there!) or struggle with going down rock scrambles, I recommend doing this trek counter-clockwise. The hardest part of the climb is at mile X. All I needed was a quick butt-boost from my human, and I was on my way. The last time we went clockwise, starting on the western side and let’s just say I’m much better at ups than I am at downs when it comes to tight spaces…can you blame a dog for wanting to know what’s ahead of him?!

My favorite part of the hike was when my human encountered a snake on the trail at the main viewpoint on the western section of the trail. Personally, I get along quite well with all the plants and animals on the hike. I like to bark at the squirrels in their trees and even sniffed a few toads who’d hopped out to say hello. I didn’t mind the snake, but it scared my humans! Just keep an eye on where your feet go, especially as we head into the summer months. I try to remind my humans that we are guests of the local wildlife and need to treat them with respect and care.

The views at the top are gorgeous! They are definitely worth the trek and can be accessed with a 2-mile medium hike up the western side from the parking lot at the south end. If you opt to hike clockwise, turn around at the view if you want to avoid the steep section I told you about above. Keep going if you feel like an adventure and know your pup won’t struggle!

The final trek back to the parking lot follows the same blue trail. You’ll have a few ups and downs along this stretch of trail and a couple of areas that are rocky outcroppings you’ll have to climb down. An experienced hiker like me didn’t have any difficulties, but if you don’t have the experience just take your time. I love to finish the whole loop with a final splash in the brook at the end, but watch the current. I’m an avid swimmer and a bit of water-dog if I do say so myself, but I could see a more inexperienced pup struggling a bit, especially after strong rains or snowmelt.

Finally, tick checks for humans and pups alike. I’m not a fan of these little creatures, but they sure seemed to love me after my hike of the trail. The trail is narrow and has some low overgrowth which makes picking up a few passengers more likely. Don’t let the ticks deter you though! A bit of bug spray on the humans and my tick collar worked just fine to keep them from biting.