October Mountain Loop

October Mountain doesn't have a proper summit, but this hike takes you to the very top tier, and along the way offers a couple of swift-moving brooks and a lake where you can take a dip, if the weather is nice. The middle section of this hike is remote and quiet, a nice alternative to the busier eastern section of this park. The Gorge Trail starts off Woodland Rd., about 1.5 miles north of the campground. Woodland Rd. can get pretty choppy after it's rained a lot, but most passenger cars should find it passable. There are two Gorge Trails, one south of Felton Lake Brook, one north. They're both clearly marked, and blue-blazed. The northern is the harder trek, but takes you closer to the brook for photos. Start there, then hike up almost 1 mile and 500 feet of elevation to Felton Lake. At the lake turn left and follow the orange-blazed Switchback Trail up the western side of the mountain. In about a mile, you'll see the Switchback Connector on your right. Take that another 1.5 miles to a sharp right at the Roaring Brook (you'll hear it, most days). The Roaring Brook trail isn't marked clearly, but says "NO ORV" on it, and it's a relatively easy down and up if you want to go take a couple pics. From this point on the Switchback Trail you climb about a half-mile to an obvious "T" junction, where you turn right onto the Felton Trail (also orange-blazed). Continue one mile to the Felton Lake turnoff (it says "To Pond" on the sign), and another mile back down to the lake. Cross over the little bridge and take the southern Gorge Trail back down one mile to the parking area. Micro spikes are strongly recommended. The trail turn into a frozen river at some points.