This afternoon’s hike was one I had been excited to take for weeks. I had been to several state parks near me, but McConnells Mill was one I kept putting off. I had heard of several people who injured themselves in the park and was concerned. Yet, I soon discovered that trekking poles and a slower pace were all I needed to be safe.

Trailhead

The trailhead for the Kildoo Trail was prominently marked, but the parking lot next to it was quite small. However, just a few hundred yards away was a much larger parking lot and a restroom with compost toilets. I highly suggest using said toilets, as there are no spaces for privacy along the trail. I started my hike about 1:20 PM with mild temperatures and sunny skies.

Hike Out

Down To The Creek

The first thing you encounter on this trail is stairs and downhill, adding up to about 100 feet of negative elevation gain. This foreshadowed the most unfortunate aspect of the trail: the entire second half is uphill. However, the descent was worth it as it takes you to the star of the hike – the Slippery Rock Creek. The majority of the trail is within 10-50 feet of the stream.

Places to Rest

There are plenty of spots along this trail to enjoy nature. They include benches and many large rocky areas near or even in the water. Whether you simply want to take a break or are looking for a place to reflect, this is a great trail for you.

Mill and Covered Bridge

The first sight to see is McConnells Mill, with a covered bridge and dam nearby. There is an observation platform just behind the dam, offering great views upstream and downstream.

Easy Walking

In addition to the mill, this area marks the start of even better trail conditions. The area just downstream features a paved hiking path. It eventually fades to a dirt path, but it is still relatively flat and well-marked. In addition, you pass a few interesting sights. These include a bridge over a small stream, with a great view up the hollow, and a park bench memorial.

Halfway Sights

The halfway point of this hike is the bridge on Eckert Bridge Rd. This structure provides a great spot to rest and, unlike the earlier covered bridge, take in the view of the creek from above.

Hike Back

Same Hike, Different Direction

The hike back to the parking lot was essentially the same trail in reverse. However, as mentioned, it also meant the remainder of the hike was uphill. Without any new sights to mention, here are some things I noticed along the trail.

Life Preservers

One interesting aspect of the hike was all of the life preservers along the creek’s edge. Nobody was swimming, but I saw several groups sitting along the creek’s edge. But it was good to know that these safety items were available in case of an emergency.

Rocky Shores

Like much of western Pennsylvania, various-sized rocks litter the forest floor that surrounds the trail. Ranging from something to trip on to the size of a car, they make for a beautiful but treacherous walk. In fact, terrain like this is what led me to choose a hammock for my backpacking sleep system. Woods in Pennsylvania often have terrain like this, and clear flat spaces are difficult to come by.

Unintended Shortcut

Near the end of the trail, there is an offshoot that heads up to the larger parking lot instead of the smaller one at the trailhead. I mistakenly took this, but was glad I did. It shaved a few minutes off my hike, and I got to see a different path in the area. I made it back to my car around 4 PM, with long shadows but plenty of daylight for the drive home.

What Went Well

• The weather was perfect, and the afternoon sun made for great pictures.
• I didn’t intend to take a different route to the parking lot, but I was glad to see a different section of the trail.

Even Better If

• While I saw quite a few people, I saw no wildlife except for small birds, a few squirrels, and chipmunks.
• I wish I had done this hike a few weeks earlier, when there were more leaves on the trees.