Section 2: Bull Run Road to Hilltop Connector

This section consists of four segments:

• (A) Bull Run Trail

• (B) Gopher Ridge Road

• (C) Gopher Creek Trail

• (D) Hilltop Connector

(A) Bull Run Trail [bikes prohibited]

This segment begins Branch Creek Trail meets Bull Run Road (NF-3119). The trail heads generally southwest and climbs 255’ over 1.4 miles to the intersection with Gopher Ridge Road. The first 150 yards follow Bull Run Road before the trail takes off to the right. After 0.4 miles the trail crosses Bull Run Road and continues for 0.6 miles before crossing the road again. In about 0.1 miles it reaches the Gopher Ridge Road trailhead.

• Trailhead and parking (east end): A small parking area is located at the intersection of the trail with Bull Run Road (NF-3119). This is known as the "Toilet Bowl Landing" named for the remains of a porcelain toilet bowl found there. A larger parking area is located on a spur road 300 feet to the north on the west side of Bull Run Road. To access these parking areas from NF-31, travel south on Bull Run Road for about a mile.

• Trailhead and parking (west end): The Gopher Ridge Road trailhead is located at the intersection of Bull Run Road (NF-3119) and Gopher Ridge Road (NF-3120). To access this trailhead from NF-31, drive south on Bull Run Road for 2.4 miles.

• Bicycling: Bicycles not permitted on Bull Run Trail. Bicyclists are to use Bull Run Road instead. See Ride with GPS Route.

(B) Gopher Ridge Road (NF 3120) [bikes ok]

This segment follows an old logging road that has been gated and decommissioned to the northwest for 3.3 miles to Gopher Creek Road (NF-3125). It then follows NF-3125 for two-tenths of a mile to the east to the Gopher Creek Trail.

• Trailhead and parking (east end): The Gopher Ridge Road trailhead is located at the intersection of Bull Run Road (NF-3119) and Gopher Ridge Road (NF-3120). To access this trailhead from NF-31, drive south on Bull Run Road for 2.4 miles.

• Trailhead and parking (west end): A parking area is available near the intersection of Gopher Ridge Road (NF-3120) and Gopher Creek Road (NF-3125). To access this trailhead from NF-31, travel south on Gopher Creek Road for 1.2 miles.

• Bicycling: Bicycles are permitted on Gopher Ridge Road. A mountain bike is recommended due to numerous crossing of waterbars. See Ride with GPS Route.

(C) Gopher Creek Trail [bikes prohibited] [closed to hikers from 11/1 - 2/28]

The trail climbs about 0.6 of a mile from Gopher Creek Road to Hilltop Road (NF 31). This trail is closed annually from November 1 to February 28 to protect sensitive Marbled Murrelet habitat. See the Gopher Creek Trail Detour below. The trail is closed to bicycles.

• Trailhead and parking (east end): A parking area is available near the intersection of Gopher Ridge Road (NF-3120) and Gopher Creek Road (NF-3125). To access this trailhead from NF-31, travel south on Gopher Creek Road for 1.2 miles.

• Trailhead and parking (west end): A parking area is available on where the Gopher Creek Trail meets NF-31 at the NF-31-123 pullout.

• Bicycling: Bicycles are not permitted on Gopher Creek Trail.

(c-alt) Gopher Creek Trail Detour [bikes ok]

From the lower end of the Gopher Creek Trail, head northeast on Gopher Creek Road (NF-3125) for 0.9 mile to Hilltop Road (NF 31). Then, head southwest on Hilltop Road for 0.9 mile to the upper end of the Gopher Creek Trail.

• Bicycling: Bicycles are permitted on the detour (NF-3125 and NF-31). See Ride with GPS Route.

(d) Hilltop Connector [bikes ok]

• This 0.9 segment on Hilltop Road (NF 31) connects the Gopher Creek Trail with the Palmer Mountain section (Section 5).

• Trailhead and parking (east end): A parking area is available on where the Gopher Creek Trail meets NF-31 at the NF-31-123 pullout.

• Trailhead and parking (west end): A parking area is available at the intersection of NF-31 and NF-3127.

• Bicycling: Bicycles are permitted on NF-31. See Ride with GPS route.