“Being liberated is about being able to be yourself, both strong and weak, and not get clobbered for either position.” - Mary Travers
“It’s funny to think about the things in your life that can make you cry just knowing that they existed, can then become the same thing that makes you cry knowing that they’re now gone.” - Ted Lasso
"Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflates the great." — Roger de Bussy-Rabutin
Hike at a Glance
Distance: 3 miles out-and-back (1.5 miles each way)
Difficulty: Mostly flat with minor elevation shifts and subtle tree roots
Trail Surface: Dirt path, gravel sections, and wide leaf-covered old roadbeds
Key Highlights: 12 wooden footbridges, old pear orchard, massive oak tree, and views of Orchard Lake
Parking: Main lot at Yoder's Country Market; alternative lots at the Senior Adult Center and Flying Disc Club
Pears and Upcycled Plows
The adventure begins right at the trailhead parking lot next to Yoder's Country Market. Before you even take your first step, you’re greeted by an old pear orchard boasting more than a dozen mature, weathered trees. At the official entrance, a rustic piece of history sets the tone: an old rusty plow cleverly upcycled into a walking stick holder. Right behind it stands a massive oak tree you definitely shouldn't miss. The path starts narrow and leaf-covered, weaving through a mix of young saplings and mature hardwoods. Soon, it gives way to a cleanly cleared, hard-packed dirt track that makes finding your footing a breeze.
Bridges and Unexpected Directions
About a quarter-mile in, the trail crosses a creek bed that surprisingly still held some water. You'll cross a long, beautiful wooden footbridge here, followed quickly by a shorter one just around the bend. Many of these crossings are lushly framed by vibrant green ferns. As the trail skirts the edge of some residential properties, you'll spot a trail directional sign that might make you double-take. It points the way back to Yoder's Market, but also lists directions to the local Days Inn. Finding a motel marker on a wooded nature trail is certainly a first! Shortly after crossing another long bridge, the surface transitions to gravel, and a few tree roots make a subtle appearance.
A Magical Forest and a Marshy View
The Orchard Lake Trail is a bridge-lover's paradise, featuring at least 12 wooden footbridges spanning low-lying areas and lake fingers. Just past the tenth bridge, the scenery shifts beautifully as the canopy opens up into a spacious forest. Here, you'll spot the tee boxes and chain cages of the local disc golf course. Next up is the crown jewel of the trail's infrastructure: a massive footbridge stretching roughly 100 feet long. Peer through the trees to your right, and you'll catch your first real look at Orchard Lake, which features a tranquil, marshy aesthetic complete with broadleaf cat-tails and algae-dusted water.
The Homeward Stretch and Dutch Treats
At the back of the lake, the trail meets a wide gravel road. Hanging a right takes you up to the clubhouse of the Flying Disc Club, while crossing straight puts you on a very wide road-like path heading toward the senior center. This section transitions from open forest roads to narrow, tree-lined passages, keeping you on your toes as the path occasionally hides beneath blankets of leaves and pine needles. After resting on one of the sturdy wooden benches and reaching the Senior Adult Center, it's time to retrace your steps back to the car. The perfect post-hike reward awaits inside Yoder's Country Market. It is packed with Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, from fresh amish butter and homemade fudge to hand-crafted gifts. A cold Nehi grape soda, warm fresh bread, hard candy, and a bag of nuts make for the ultimate road-trip fuel on the ride home.
Hike Summary
Started the hike at the pear orchard trailhead next to Yoder's Country Market.
Crossed 12 distinct wooden footbridges, including a massive 100-foot span near the lake.
Navigated a well-maintained natural dirt and gravel path with scenic fern-lined creek views.
Passed unique landmarks including an upcycled plow, a motel trail marker, and active disc golf baskets.
Explored the wide, pine-needle-covered old roadbed leading to the Senior Adult Center before turning back.
Celebrated a successful 3-mile trek with a stop at Yoder's Market for local treats and a classic grape soda.
Pears, Plows, and Planks