Sparky Trail
Sparky Trail is named after my first pony “Sparky.” The directional use trail runs parallel with the creek and is fairly level. Just above the first rise in the trail is a bench called “Jim’s Bench” named after the builder. Take a moment to rest on the bench to listen to the myriad of birds located in the woods.
Sparky Trail is around 0.32 miles long and is a moderate walk on a grassy path that goes up and down next to the creek. It's a nice and easy stroll. A small path also branches off to the South Fork Coppei Creek below.
Skyrocket Trail
Skyrocket Trail is named after “Skyrocket,” another horse we whistled to at feeding time to come down from Stella’s Ridge. A single track with a small grinder section, Skyrocket Trail takes off of Sparky Trail and zigzags up to the top of “Stella’s Ridge.” Half way up you will see “Matt’s Chair” named after the lead trail blazer. Impressive Ponderosa pine trees more than 200 years old look out for you as you meander along the way until you can rest at two more benches called “John’s Bench” and at the end of the trail, “Cheryl’s Bench.” When you reach the top, the sky opens up with an amazing view of meadow below, wheat fields, the Waitsburg Valley, and wind turbines dotting the Dayton Skyline.
Skyrocket Trail is approximately 0.6 miles long and is a moderate to advanced hike in some parts as it zigzags up a steep section to the top of the ridge. It takes about 1.15 hours to hike both Sparky Trail and Skyrocket Trail together.
