Hiking Red Cliff Trail - Guernsey State Park

Last week was too hot to get in much hiking, but we did get out twice. The Red Cliff Trail, the first built by CCC Camp-9 is well shaded, and an excellent choice for too hot days. This is a trail we have walked more than any other in the park and often the only trail many people have walked in Guernsey State Park. No matter how many times we walk this terrific CCC path, it never fails to be an enjoyable hour, or a bit more.

The trail starts here - 50 yards northwest of the huge Spillway gate

This trail has the longest run of stairs of any in the park, from the top, overlooking the spillway (running fast) and the huge Stony Gate there are 77 steps, a few inclines, and not much flat trail, to the bottom. Sounds tough, but it isn’t.

If an old duffer like me can make it, just about anyone can!

The trail is well marked, and the steps are an excellent example of Civilian Conservation Corps work in the 1930s. Red Cliff Trail winds from the bottom back up to an outstanding view of the area below the dam and the North Platte River winding toward Guernsey. 

The original trail ended, up on top, at CCC Camp-9, but hikers can catch a branch of the path going, North, Northeast, that connects to the golf course road to loop back.  

View from the trail