Sabin Pond and Beaver Pond Trails

Although labeled as two trails, Sabin Pond and Beaver Pond are usually combined for one the best loops in the Reserve, a 2.1-mile walk from the nature center to post No. 13 on Cass Road and back. The loop, along with a visit to the nature center, makes a great outing for families due to all the boardwalks, stairways and viewing deck embedded in the trails.

Outside the nature center, near a picnic pavilion, is post No. 5 with a trail heading south that quickly reaches post No. 6. Just beyond the post is the first viewing deck, providing an overview of Sabin Pond and the dam that created it.

You skirt the bluff briefly and then descend a long stairway to an incredible observation deck suspended over Sabin Pond with cables and reached at Mile 0.2. The Reserve staff calls it the "mini-Mac Suspension Bridge" and kids love it. Boardwalks and stairs follow topping off at post No. 7 at Mile 0.4, where one trail loops back north (right) to the nature center.

The other heads south (left) quickly reaching post No. 8, the start of Beaver Pond Trail. Continue south (left) to scramble down another long stairway followed by an elevated boardwalk and more stairways before topping out at the third viewing deck of this short hike. Post No. 10, in the open power line corridor is reached just past at Mile 0.5.

Continue south (left) and a series of three stairways bottom out at post No. 11. Post No. 12 is just beyond it and marks the start of a scenic stretch where a long boardwalk winds through a marshy area and across a stream before climbing to post No. 13 and the trailhead on Cass Road.

To return, backtrack to post No. 12 and hang a left at every posted junction to hike the three loops off the main trail. The first, the quarter mile segment from post No. 12 to post No. 11, is by far the most interesting. A long boardwalk crosses a stream and then skirts the Beaver Pond, providing an excellent vantage point to look for wildlife. Another boardwalk over a stream and more stairways follow before you return to post No. 11 at Mile 1.3.

Backtrack to post No. 10 and then head left at the junction for the next loop. Along this loop is the access trail from Meadows Pavilion, a picnic area. Most of this loop as well as portions of the next from post No. 7 to post No. 6 are in the power line corridor, making them less appealing. To avoid the corridors, simply retrace the trails along Sabin Pond, enjoying the views from the observation decks once more.

Fox Den Trail

The Fox Den Trail forms a short loop that begins in the parking area of the Boardman River Nature Center. A stairway and a dirt road descend to the Sabin Dam and post No. 4. The trail then heads north (left) to skirt the Boardman River and quickly arriving at post No. 3. To the left at this junction the trail crosses Jack’s Creek and follows the 900-foot boardwalk through a conifer swamp and emergent wetland with a viewing deck in the middle. To the right the trail continues to skirt the Boardman River.

Both meet at post No. 2, marking the junction with of the Boardman Valley Trail that heads north to reach a trailhead off of South Airport Road in 1.3 miles. Returning from post No. 2 to the nature center makes for a walk of 0.7 miles.