Perkins Trail
At A Glance
1.44 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 2.93 
Steepness: Climbs Steeply
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Lowest Elevation: 3810 ft
Highest Elevation: 4500 ft
Climb Total: 690 ft
Blaze Color: Orange
Trail Number: 175
Description
Also known as Perkins Road. Climbs steeply on an old road bed from FS 74 to the Laurel Gap trail. Starts in a fairly nondescript cove hardwood forest setting but quickly reaches some areas with very large, impressive trees as it winds its way up into the Walker Branch cove. As it rounds the nose of the ridge, descends slightly to cross Walker Branch at a confluence of its two main upper forks. This is a neat spot with big bluffs overlooking the creek and the water tumbling into a deep gorge-like setting below.
Beyond the first crossing, the trail becomes covered with cobblestones and it makes a 2nd crossing back to river left in short order. The forest changes, with more northern hardwood species, a few Red Spruce struggling to reach for sunlight beneath the hardwoods, and even a few surviving hemlocks. The trail parallels the stream for a short distance, before turning right, south, for the final connection up to the Laurel Gap trail.
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) trails list page.
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
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Ratings
Average Rating: 4.0 (rated 1 times)
Rate It Now:
susan said: All said, of Douglas Falls, Bear Pen, Elk Pen and Perkins, tie between Bear Pen and Perkins at this time (and time of year) . Not outstanding in any way EXCEPT the Walker Creek crossing made a terrific spectacle. Neat coulee where 2 forks converge. Massive rock on south side, stand on top of falls. At very top of trail some long views possible. Tread biked out mud toughs for a bit of upper 1/4. Most steep happens along creek section over cobbly rocks. Much water on them when I was there. I like a real trail: various tread, a tad of challenge, a 'special event' - so this rates. 5/30 4 -8p