🐾 Amber’s Lakeside & Chinquapin Trail Adventure at Bays Mountain
Hi friends, it’s Amber! Mama took me back to Mr. Bay’s Mountain today, and we explored one of my very favorite places: the Lakeside Trail. It’s one of the most popular trails on the mountain, and I know exactly why — it’s full of water, critters, bridges, and all kinds of smells that keep my paws busy!
The trail goes right along the big lake, which means I get to hop in and splash whenever Mama says it’s okay. There’s a big floating bridge that wiggles when you walk on it (SUPER fun!), and the lake inlets are covered in something Mama called lily pads.
I thought lily pads were solid… so I tried to walk on them. Spoiler: they FLOAT. I fell straight through into the water! Mama laughed, but I didn’t mind — I’m a great swimmer, and the lily pads just popped right back up. I’m definitely going to try to trick my little brother Davy into stepping on them someday.
We saw turtles sunning on logs, squirrels darting around, and lots of good smells from critters hiding in the marshy spots. There are little bridges across the wet areas and another big walkway across the lake (not floating this time). I love trails with variety — up, down, twisty, sandy, rocky… keeps a girl like me entertained.
After the big walkway, I pulled Mama up to the gravel road and straight onto another favorite: the Chinquapin Trail. This one is perfect on my paws — sandy in places, rocky in others, and full of pretty woods. Mama and I once saw a bear here (not today though). And yes, I climbed my special tree like I always do. Who says I’m too old for climbing?
At the end of Chinquapin, we popped out near the Big Oak Trail, and Mama let me splash in my wimmy spot. I was getting HOT, so this was the best part. After cooling off, we headed toward the car. I checked the wolf habitat, but they weren’t near the fence today — BOO! I wanted to say hi.
We crossed the little parking lot and followed a short trail back to the lower lot where our car was waiting. I wasn’t even tired and wanted to do it all again, but Mama said it was getting too hot for hiking. So I hopped into the car and we headed home.
It was a perfect hike, full of splashes, critters, bridges, and all my favorite smells. I can’t wait to go back to Bays Mountain and explore more trails with Mama!
Love, Amber
🐾 Amber’s Trail Paws Rating: Bays Mountain (Lakeside + Chinquapin Trails)
Sniffability: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 Critters everywhere — turtles, squirrels, deer smells, marshy spots, and mystery sniffs around every bend. My nose was in FULL detective mode.
Paw Comfort: 🐾🐾🐾🐾☆ Lakeside is smooth and easy, Chinquapin is sandy‑rocky‑dirt (my favorite combo). Only a few spots made me slow down, but overall my paws were happy.
Scenery Score: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 Big lake views, floating bridge, lily pads, shady woods, little valleys, marsh bridges, and even the wolf habitat. SO much to look at.
Adventure Level: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 Floating bridge, splash zones, critters to chase, hills to climb, tree‑climbing opportunities, and a surprise detour onto one of my favorite trails. Maximum fun.
Water Access: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 Lake splashes along the trail and my wimmy spot at the end. I stayed cool the whole time (even when Mama said it was getting too hot).
Overall Adventure Score: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 One of my happiest hikes. I wanted to do it all again, but Mama said “too hot.” I disagree. I could’ve kept going forever.