Trailhead Loop Trail Map (click to enlarge)

Length:  .5-mile loop
Time:  20 minutes
Difficulty:  Easy

The Trailhead Loop Trail at Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located at the first parking lot on the right that you come to after exiting Highway 166 onto the Park Entrance Road. The trail begins on one side of the parking lot and ends on the other side. I started on the left side at the trail map information panel and hiked around the loop in the clockwise direction. This report is written from that perspective.

Start of the Trailhead Loop Trail at Friendship Hill National Historic Site

The Trailhead Loop Trail is a mowed grass path that circles a meadow. It is short, easy to hike, and great for families with small children, but anyone looking for a longer hike or a substantial amount of exercise will find it of no interest.

Meadow encircled by the Trailhead Loop Trail at Friendship Hill National Historic Site

When you reach the forest on the opposite side of the meadow from the parking lot, there is a trail that continues into the woods and connects with the Main Loop Trail. This is not where you want to go. To stay on the Trailhead Loop, make a right-hand turn before the forest and continue on the mowed path around the meadow.

Connector from the Trailhead Loop Trail to the Main Loop Trail at Friendship Hill National Historic Site

Trailhead Loop Trail at Friendship Hill National Historic Site circles a meadow

This second leg of the trail runs southeast along the meadow. At the far end is a fork that leads into the forest and ends at Ice Pond Run (a creek) and three small ponds. Unless you want to see these, make a right and continue around the meadow until you get back to the parking lot. There is not much more to it.

Fork in the Trailhead Loop Trail at the southeast end of the meadow leads to Ice Pond Run, Friendship Hill National Historic Site

I did see many butterflies in the meadow on my late August hike. I suppose that’s the entire point of the Trailhead Loop, though I have no idea when butterflies are around…other than in late August.

Butterfly in a meadow at Friendship Hill National Historic Site

Butterflies in a meadow at Friendship Hill National Historic Site

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