Trail Review: The Middle Run Valley Loop +

“Everything is a loop” a very wise woman with a dog explained to us only a few steps down the trail. Seningen and I were trying a couple new things on this hike. First, we were hiking in snow because a new challenge is always worth a try. And 2 we were trying out a new book I got. “The Falcon Guide to Hiking Maryland and Delaware.”

As we attempted to check our location on the map provided in our trusty, yet untested, Falcon guide, a woman walking her dog took pity upon we the poor map users and offered her 2 cents. “It is all a loop no matter which way you go” she explained We knew this, we had a map after all, but we were specifically trying to do the Middle Run Valley Loop as described to us here. It was my hope that I could write a trail review that matched the book. That way I could look like a professional adventure blogger. If you are new here, let me spoil the surprise…I am not and this is not a story of how we perfectly followed our desired trail. So buckle in. To save face, I have dubbed this the “Middle Run Valley Loop +”

Lets start with the snow. We got about 6 inches of snow here in the “Land Between the Bays” (A very clever name for the DelMarVa Peninsula that I am certain was made up by Falcon Guides). Until this trip, I would have described my self as a “3 Seasons Hiker.” While I have camped in the winter many times, my winter camping experiences were usually “Hunker down, make a fire, and enjoy the peace of the woods”. I believed winter was for surviving, not hiking. Enter the only friend I am willing to brand as “adventure crazy” as me. Seningen happily led this hike, all the while planning a winter backpacking trip. “In a place we haven’t done in the summer,” he explained as I grinned ear to ear, “that way its new. I’d like to get out and hike every time we get the chance in the snow.” Look out Nick, there are two of us now.

The snow really did make it a whole different experience. A rather enjoyable one at that. I was shocked. After a few miles of hiking, layers began to shed and the wind chill, which was a balmy 16 degrees, suddenly was as welcomed as AC in the summer. On to the trail itself. The trail loop provided by Falcon is in fact a sort of Frankenstein’s Monster Trail, put together from pieces of the Lenape Trail, Tri-Valley Trail, Double Horseshoe Trail, a Bird Watching Trail, and a couple cut off trails. To our credit, we followed it pretty faithfully. And, had we actually parked in the parking lot that was prescribed, might have hiked just that loop. But it wouldn’t be an unBEARable adventure if we had done that.

Fortunately for us we had such experienced hikers as “woman with dog” and the unmatched excellence of these trail markers (pictured here) to rely on. I mean look how happy that hand drawn snail is! How could anyone doubt their travels with such wisdom at their disposal. But hey, have faith in the trail, because at least we had one. We chatted and planned future adventures until we both realized “wait, weren’t we supposed be done by now”. 4.3 miles had come and gone and we were still deep in the woods. Oops. Not that the views were not worth it, we did eventually have to make it back to civilization. If Seningen’s wife is ever going to call the police to report him missing, I would prefer it to be when we are on a much bigger trip than Newark, Delaware.

As we hit the boundary between White Clay Creek State Park and Middle Run Natural Area (which has a tunnel between them), it became clear that we had missed the turn off and we were going to be completing the entire Lenape Trail. As it turns out, we would then accidentally find the cut off, walk it, realize we made a loop and walk it again until we found the car. Classic. So here is all of our travels for this day. Honestly, I don’t regret it. It was a great hike, awesome views, well worth the extra mileage. Plus the conversation and the snacks more than held, so no harm no foul. 4.3 vs 6.37, what’s the difference really?