So, I finally got around to checking out Pheasant Ridge the other weekend. Heard some folks talking about it, you know, saying it was a decent spot to clear your head. Didn’t have much else planned, so I figured, why not?
Got in the car early Saturday morning. The drive wasn’t too bad, mostly highway until the last few miles. Then the roads got a bit rougher, more gravel than actual pavement. Already started thinking maybe this wasn’t gonna be the polished experience some people made it out to be. Found the entrance eventually, wasn’t much signposting. Just sort of pulled over where a couple of other cars were parked.
Hopped out and started walking. The main trail looked okay at first. Packed dirt, wide enough. But after maybe half a mile, things changed. It got real overgrown. Weeds everywhere, path got narrow, lots of loose rocks. Had to watch my step pretty carefully. Saw a couple of signs but they were faded, almost couldn’t read them. Felt like nobody had been maintaining the place for a while.
What I Actually Found
I kept pushing on, thinking maybe it gets better further in. Passed an old picnic area. Looked pretty sad. One table was busted, the other covered in who-knows-what. Didn’t see a single pheasant, by the way. Kind of ironic, given the name. What I did see:
- Lots of thorny bushes grabbing at my clothes.
- Some trash scattered just off the trail. Cans, wrappers. Annoying.
- A creek bed that was mostly dried up.
- More bugs than I cared for.
Honestly, it felt a bit neglected. Reminded me of that old project I worked on back in ’08. Everyone was hyped at the start, big plans, lots of talk. Then, halfway through, funding got shaky, management lost interest, and it just sort of fizzled out. Ended up being this half-finished thing nobody wanted to touch. Pheasant Ridge kinda had that same vibe. Potential, but left to rot.
Walked for about an hour, maybe hour and a half. Didn’t really feel my head getting any clearer. Mostly just felt annoyed by the brambles and the general state of things. Turned around and headed back to the car. Didn’t see anyone else on the trail the whole time I was heading back.
So, yeah. Pheasant Ridge. Went there, walked around, got snagged by bushes, and left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maybe it used to be nice. Maybe I went on a bad day. Or maybe it’s just one of those places that sounds better than it is. Wouldn’t really recommend going out of your way for it, to be honest. There are better spots if you just want a walk.
