QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: NA
- Trail Mileage: ~1.5 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: old railroad bed, wetlands
This section of the Cross Town Trail, or CCT, is a 1.5-mile straight shot (more of less) from New Portland Road to Hutcherson Drive. It’s flat and smooth—so very easy walking. The trail follows the former York and Cumberland Railroad track, which was removed in the mid-20th century. When we visited, it could have used a bit of cleaning up. But it was very quiet; we had the whole stretch to ourselves.
Another section of the CCT runs through Frazier Preserve. I imagine the CCT might be expanded in the future?
Directions: There’s a small parking area at the trailhead on New Portland Road, enough for three or so cars. When we visited in March 2021, there was no official parking area at the end of Hutcherson Drive, but it wasn’t hard to park there (as long as you’re not blocking the gate).
You can also walk through the tiny Meadowland Preserve, at the end of Joseph Drive, to get to the CCT. When I visited, bridging had not yet been installed on the path and it was quite wet and spongy. Unfortunately, there was a lot of litter in the wetland. Probably needs some good-hearted people to clean it up.
