Distance: 3 miles

Elevation gain: 450 ft

 This is another variation of the hikes available on Bald Hill. It is more rigorous then Hike 1 because you walk to the top of Bald Hill, the view is worth the walk. Our general starting point is the Benton County Fairgrounds parking lot.

Walk along the paved walk and bike path toward Bald Hill. The path will T into the path from the Reservoir Road, go left. In 100 feet you will see a marked gravel trail heading back up the hill. Follow this trail, it will make a few switch backs and a couple of trails will come in from the right, stay left. You will travel around Bald Hill, with occasional views across the fields. Watch for Poison Oak in this area, there are places where it is growing right up to the trail.

 Continue until you break out near the top on the west side of the hill, there is a nice bench to rest and take in the view. You can continue on up the hill to the vary top. It is worth the slight extra walk and again there is another bench at the vary top.

 When you are ready to head down go back to where you originally came up and instead of going back to the left take the trail that heads right. There are a couple of switch backs and some improved and unimproved trails that come in from the right, the basic rule of thumb is take any of the trails that head down. We generally follow the trail bearing left until we are at the bottom where a fairly major gravel path heads around to the right. Any of the trails will eventually get you back.

 You should pass the old barn, then down to the paved path where you go right. This is where there is a Porta Potty. Follow the paved path back to the T where you went left, you turn left and follow the pave back down to your car.

 Things that you are likely to see on this walk, besides other people are deer, rabbits, wild turkeys and lots of wild flowers.

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