Little Mountain Trail Map (click to enlarge)
Length: .8-mile one way (1.6-miles round trip)
Time: 1 hour (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, hilly
The Little Mountain Trail is an out-and-back trail with starting points at the Jeff Busby Campground (next to the bathroom) and the Little Mountain Overlook. For the record, I began the hike at the overlook. The trailhead has its own parking area, and this is the best starting point for those who are not camping. Here you are at the top of Little Mountain, while the campground is located at the bottom, so it should come as no surprise that you’ll be hiking downhill on the way out and uphill on your way back to the overlook. Thankfully it is a “little” mountain, so the hills are not that strenuous.
The Little Mountain Trail is the only trail in Jeff Busby Park. It is a well marked and well maintained trail, so you won’t get lost or confused at any of the intersections. It offers nothing of unique scenic beauty—unless you find the forest unique—but does provide an outlet for exercise and solitude for those who like the forest. The trail is suitable for anyone, short of those walking with a cane or in a wheelchair. The round trip will take you no more than an hour.
Typical terrain of the Little Mountain Trail
For those not wanting to hike the entire trail, there is a loop that begins at the .2-mile point when starting from the overlook. If taking the shortcut, the hike is only .6-mile long. My original intention was to just hike the loop and return to my car. However, once I got there I decided to hike the entire trail, covering one half of the loop on my way out and the other half on the way back.
The hike starts off on a moderate decline that continues until you reach the loop. This is the toughest portion of the trail, but it is not too bad. A trail map sign is located at the start of the loop (the photo at the top of this page is of that sign). While you can travel in either direction, I took the counterclockwise route by crossing a footbridge. A set of stairs takes you around in a clockwise direction. If your goal is to get to the campground as quickly as possible and forgo the loop, take the stairs.
In about .1-mile the trail dead ends into a T-intersection. This is #3 on trail map (there is a trail map stand at this intersection as well). Turn right to go to the campground or left to continue around the loop and head back to the car. Keep in mind that if you were hiking the loop in the clockwise direction that the trail does not dead end, so you need to be on the lookout for a right-hand turn not too far down from the stairs. If you are hiking to the campground just keep walking straight.
Typical terrain of the Little Mountain Trail
The trail to the campground is a smooth and wide gravel path. The downhill hike is long, but very gradual, descending about 100 feet over a .4-mile stretch. I have trouble hiking down steep hills due to the pounding my knees take, but I had no problems hiking downhill on the Little Mountain Trail. By the time you get to the campground the trail has pretty much flattened out. The trail ends right near the bathroom facility.
The Little Mountain Trail passes below the Jeff Busby Campground
Once at the campground, turn around and walk back. This time stay straight all the way, which will take you along the section of the loop trail that you skipped the first time around.
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Last updated on December 13, 2021
