Barnacle

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 1.02 miles

Restrooms: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Stroller Friendly: No

Playground: Yes

Location: Rocky Ridge County Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Area

Anchor Clues:

Start at the bulletin board in the Hidden Laurel Parking Area.
Follow the gravel path while keeping the Pheasant Pavilion and the playground on your right and the nature play area on your left.
Just past the nature play area and the canopy table, a gravel trail will be on your left. Follow this trail down the small hill past the horseshoe pits on your right and the wooden fence on your left until you reach a 4-way intersection.
Turn right at this intersection onto the red rectangle trail.
Continue straight on this trail until you reach the observation deck. It will feel like you are walking for a while. As you walk, look for moss and lichen on the surrounding trees and wildflowers and mushrooms on the forest floor. You will pass a large building on your right and two fitness stations before you reach the observation deck.
The post will be located at the observation deck. Take a moment to enjoy the view! Can you spot Three Mile Island or other landmarks in the distance?
To return to your vehicle, head back the way you came on the red rectangle trail until you reach the fitness trail on your left, about 100 yards from the observation deck. Continue past the fitness stations and at a large rock formation, turn left here. The trail heads uphill.
Continue straight until you reach an intersection with a park bench. Turn right to continue following the fitness trail back to the picnic area.

They eat with their legs, using them to sweep tiny particles of food into their mouths.
Barnacles live in a shell made of 6 plates, that are grown once the young attach themselves permanently to a surface.
Barnacles are one of the oldest living animals in the world.

Barnacle