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 Reporter |
Summary: The trail follows the shoreline of the lake for the most part. From the parking lot, locate a trail to the left of the nature center. It starts right by the information sign, where you may be able to pick up a trail map of all trails in the park. Follow the short trail down the hill to the stream bed and turn right on the Sleepy Hollow trail. Follow this trail along the stream and after it leaves the stream, turn left on the Big Pines trail. Follow this a short distance to the Lakeside trail. Follow the lakeside trail until in meets an asphalt trail. Turn left and cross the dam. Follow the asphalt until in comes into and old parking area. Tranverse this to a unused road at the far end. Follow the road, bearing left, where another road runs off to the right. The road will end at another old parking a and the dirt trail picks up at the back. Follow the trail until you see the stream crossing with a sign for the nature center. Cross and return to start. Trailhead: The hike starts from the parking lot of the Meadowside Nature Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. The entrance to the center is on Muncaster Mill Road, between Avery and Norbeck roads. (Lat:39.06768 Lon:-77.06397) Trail Guides for Lake Frank Loop: Meadowside Nature Center Trail Map by na (na) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Maryland National Park Planning Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Keith Ferguson, who has posted 10 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by imer on 7/24/2008 It is so beautiful and the walk for me is always a small journey. You start on a high point with an over view of the whole lake on a paved trail. You keep walking and you think you are moving far from the lake you see the splendor through the trees. The paved road begins to crack given way to a natural path thinking you are just heading into untouched part of His creation. The trees become thicken with life and just when you forget where you started the lake submerges into tributaries and marshes. Before you know it your at the shore line! There is a point that you can nest under a tree where the lake almost wraps around you! its is a haven from the suburben life i can take whenever becuase it is so close 
Reviewed by cjc on 6/1/2008 Easy hike around the lake. Popular with runners and dog walkers. The locals have cut a lot of side trails from their homes to the main lake loop, but the trail is still easy to follow. All of the trails seem to be blazed blue which can lead to some confusion near the nature center if you don't take a map. There is a significant stretch of the trail on an old paved access road which doesn't make for the most interesting hiking. Probably a good place for bird watchers. 
Reviewed by Foht Family on 1/14/2008 This hike was very interesting, the nature center has some interesting items to look at to include 3 owls, 1 american bald eagle and a few other hawks. We didnt find the trails confusing at all, how difficult can it be it circles a lake. We will visit this trail again in the near future. Tony, Stacy, Madison and Sammy
Reviewed by Sue on 5/27/2007 First of all, the trail route description above is confusing. The trail itself is confusing. If you are going to do the loop, please go with someone who knows the trail. I got lost 2 times and eventually had to have the park police guide me out because I kept walking in circles. There are many tributaries off the main trail path around the lake. The trail is poorly marked and the trail map from the nature center has the trail names labeled differently from the actual scarce amt. of markers on the trail. I was at a crossroads and there was a blue rectangle on every trail; no way to know which way to go. The map wasn't any help because the trail names don't correspond to a color.
Reviewed by Phil on 3/10/2007 I haven't been there, I'd like to point out the the longitude and latetude are incorrect. And the name of the lake is Bernard Frank.
Reviewed by sue on 10/16/2006 Ken and I made this trek yesterday morning. It was wonderful. We're both around 50 years old and I'm slightly disabled. We were interested in going around the lake but after a half mile, ended up back at the Nature Center. We reviewed the map again and, in a second attempt, found our way around the lake. The only scary part was crossing the creek on boulders, but with Ken's help, I made it without getting wet. We'll probably do it again soon. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Maryland Hiking, Maryland Trails, Maryland Hikes, Montgomery County Hiking, Montgomery County Trails, Montgomery County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||