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This little lollipop loop in Riverside State Park is the perfect short walk to experience the north end of Riverside State Park, get a little exercise and a lot of a view.
From the Sontag Park trailhead, walk down the road and turn right into the park at West Carlson Road (it is also possible to park at Carlson road and start your hike here, thereby shaving about 1.5 miles total off your hike).
Turn right and then jog left onto Trail 25. For the majority of this half of the hike, you'll stay on Trail 25, climbing up to Pine Bluff in about a mile. In another half-mile, you'll arrive at a junction where a right turn will take you to the Pine Bluff trailhead. You'll stay to the left though, and then left again, heading toward the river. Turn right at a junction with Trail 25.
Now you're on a bluff overlooking the river, and you'll traverse for about a quarter mile. Along this section there is a bench to enjoy the view for a bit. Take a water break!
After his, continue on, taking a sharp 180 and heading down a steep hill, then heading back north, now on Trail 410. You'll walk through open forest now, with more peek-a-boo views of the river. Keep a sharp eye out for a junction, where you'll turn uphill (a set of switchbacks heads downhill at this junction -- don't take them).
As you climb back up, you'll pass a turnoff to an overlook. Take a peek here, then come back to the main trail and continue climbing up to another junction with Trail 25. Turn right, and stay on this trail as you loop back to the Pine Bluff junction.
This ends your lollipop, and you'll return the same way you came.
Trailhead
