A beautiful view on the loop

Length: 8 miles

Direction of description: counterclockwise

Parking: Pull off lot at Bowmans Marsh. 41.359575, -76.235278 Not maintained in winter.

Highlights: View, isolation, large rocks, streams, lakes and ponds, spruce forest, beaver dams and pond, meadows, seasonal wildflowers.

Trail conditions: This loop has unblazed, unmarked trails. Some trails can be faint but are usually followable. Only experienced hikers with good navigational skills should attempt. Trails can be overgrown in summer; if you are unfamiliar with this area, it is best to hike in fall to mid spring when the vegetation dies back. Some trails are shown on the Gaia app. I believe these trails were first made by mountain bikers.

Terrain: Moderate to easy. There are some gradual climbs and descents. Views are at the edge of a cliff. Trail is near steep slopes at times.

White Gold Loop: This hike was part of the White Gold Loop, described in my book Hiking the Endless Mountains. This was a phenomenal hiking loop. Sadly, the forest between Bean and Wolf Runs was logged, destroying the trail in that area and essentially severing the loop.

Description: This is a beautiful and fairly easy to moderate loop in SGL 57. However, these trails are unblazed. You need to keep an eye out for trails and trail junctures. From the parking area, hike down the road, enjoy views of Bowmans Marsh and turn left onto Beech Lake Road; hike around the gate. Follow the road up a small hill and look for a faint trail to the right, take it. Explore woodlands and fern glades. Reach the edge of the plateau and enjoy a fine view over the valleys and plateaus. There is no sign of development. Hike along the edge of the plateau with large rocks below. Descend to a lower bench and see large rocks above to the left. Descend to a road and turn left.

Hike to Bean Run and follow a trail up it. Watch for a trail to the right; take it and descend and cross Bean Run. Hike along this scenic stream with large rocks and ledges. There is also some spruce. Watch for a trail to the left that crosses Bean Run. Take it. Reach a T, turn right and hike up into a scenic, isolated valley with beaver dams, meadows, and spruce forests. Some of the spruce are quite tall. It is a beautiful section of the hike.

Gradually ascend into forests and reach a game commission road. Across the road is a large, scenic pond, one of four ponds or lakes on this hike. Turn left on the road and enjoy another view of a pond below the trail. Cross a swale and look for a trail to the right. Take it and hike down to sublime Beech Lake. Enjoy the views of this special spot. The trail moves from the lake and then returns to the other end with more views. Follow the grassy trail to Beech Run Road, completing the loop. Return to your car.

Purple highlight is my route. Brown trails are unmarked and can be faint. Black dots are large rocks. Locations are approximate, this is not a GPS track, accuracy not guaranteed, use at your own risk.

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