Get a little wild, but not too much, on this easy Fort Mountain double loop that explores the tame Lake Trail but combines the slightly more difficult Goldmine Creek Trail. A really nice beginner hike that has a little bit of difficulty and elevation change. Good for kids and dogs.

I hiked this trail after the Big Rock Trail so I began at that parking lot. There is a much larger lot on the way in by the playground and beach area if you wish to begin there. From the Big Rock Trail lot, walk back down the road a few feet to the unmarked path heading down to the lake.

From here you can go around either direction. I hiked the double loop clockwise. Travelling either way around the Lake Trail, follow the mostly gravel blue-blazed path. When you get to the beach and pavilion area the trail disappears. Walk up toward the parking lot, around the beach and pavilion, then back to the lake's edge.

If travelling clockwise, you'll pass a red-blazed trail on the left that leads to some campsites. Ignore this, taking the red-blazed side trail the angles back sharply to the left for the connector to the Goldmine Creek Trail. You should not immediately pass campsites.

At the sign for the Goldmine Creek Trail, again you can take either direction, but this description stays clockwise to the left. Cross Goldmine creek several times over mossy rocks. This section is quite beautiful as you follow the tumbling waters uphill. It's also the only part of this hike that is challenging at all.

When you hit the orange-blazed Gahuti Backcountry Trail, turn right to follow along it's wider path for .4 miles. Turn back onto the Goldmine Creek Trail at the sign as the white blazes leave the orange behind. You'll quickly hit the previous split. Take the same red-blazed connector trail back to the Lake Trail to finish out this double loop.

Explore more trails at Fort Mountain State Park.