North Nasty

Introduction

Shortest of the bunch but has a climb that will really test your hiking ability.

Parking

Park at the Leif Erikson trail head on Germantown Road.

Google Maps directions

Description

 From parking lot carefully cross Germantown to Firelane 9 and plunge down to the streets, turning right at the bottom and going between the jersey barriers to the paved streets.  Turn hard left onto Wilark and bravely go to the end where you will find stairs down to Highway 30. Turn left onto sidewalk and follow until the little pull out for Linton Trail. Go up Linton Trail and it turns into Firelane 10, keep going, passing over Wildwood trail, until it turns into Newton Road parking lot. Cross the lot and continue straight ahead on Newton Road, it’s a dirt road closed to vehicles. This is one of the nicest stretches in Forest Park. Newton turns downhill and crosses over Wildwood almost reaching Highway 30; before you get to Hwy 30 is BPA Road up and to the left. 

BPA Road is a wicked mile long climb, in season the berries are a nice distraction on the way up up up to Firelane 12. Pass Firelane 13 except for a side trip for the view from the picnic table. Turn right on Firelane 12 down to where it meets Firelane 15 then go up again all the way to Skyline Road. (Some turn left on Wildwood and rejoin the route 1.18 mi later when it comes down BPA, to avoid road). Watch for cars and take a left about half mile at the top of BPA Road. Go down BPA Road until it meets Wildwood, hang a right. Jog along Wildwood until turning left down Firelane 10 all the way back to the car, taking care that there is a right turn at the junction with Linton, don’t go down there again. Along Firelane 10 for some variety you can turn right on Keyser trail, it rejoins Firelane 10 a quarter mile later and adds about 0.07 miles to the total length.

When to Do

Summer for berries on BPA Road, running through thigh-high grass, and views from the picnic table.

Trail Log

Map

Elevation

Ascent 2820'

Strava Segments

https://www.strava.com/segments/11614255 Nasty North. Seems to more reliably match runs

https://www.strava.com/segments/6880709 North Nasty. Less forgiving segment in terms of your run matching the segment.