West and East Cohasset Loop

Start at the parking place for Lily Pond. Be sure to look for the giant turtles and large gold fish as you go by. Come down to W.West Drive to take the bridge at the south tip of Lake Glacier. From there the trail goes along Mill Creek, passing Pioneer Pavilion, the Cinderella Bridge and going on to Lanterman's Mill. At this point cross over the covered bridge to continue going along the creek to circle around the west side of Newport Lake. At the southern tip of the lake, be sure to cross the little bridge to Smith Island that contains a boardwalk leading through an area of wetlands with lookout platforms, well worth the extra few steps. The main trail is picked up at the parking lot by the bridge and weaves around to the east side of Mill Creek and Newport Lake. Follow the trail past Daffodil Meadow (beautiful in the springtime), again along Mill Creek back to the cover bridge. Cross the bridge again to go on the west side of Mill Creek up to Princess Bridge. Shortly after the bridge the general trail will continue along close to the Creek. At the "V" crossing, take the trail to the left. This will go uphill just below Cascade Road and lead to a series of wooden steps and a beautiful view of a natural cascading waterfall. At the top, cross the bridge to catch an upper trail leading to the right. This trail will lead back down to the main trail, along Lake Cohasset and to Pioneer Pavilion. To the left there will be a historical marker for the first blast furnace that was built in the area in the 1820's. Here the Artist's trail begins and ends at W. West Drive. Cross the street and go left around the public restrooms, up a small hill to get to the trail that leads back to Lily Pond.