Lake Wilmore Trail

A small public parking area and the entrance to Lake Wilmore Trail are at the left rear of Ogletree Elementary School parking lot. There are a couple of other trailheads that enter the woods further down towards the back of the school. Think of Lake Wilmore Park as a no-admission-fee extension of nearby Chewacla State Park. You can hike, mountain bike, and bring your dogs and kids. There's a fire break, four or five miles of trails and dirt roads, and a creek. But, note that there are no playgrounds, restrooms, or any public structures. Lake Wilmore is now just a stretch of Moores Mill Creek. A little exploring along the creek bank reveals some dikes and what appears to be a portion of a dam. With a little imagination you can visualize where the lake once was. If you like to hike, this adds some variety to your choice of venues. Google maps still shows a lake present, so when you walk near the creek and track your hike on GPS, it'll show that you walked on water!

Lots of trails. The lake has not existed since the 40's. So don't expect a lake. There is the remains of the old dam.

I ride and run here all the time. The trails are tight, twisty, curvy, rocky, rooty, and chunky with a blanket of pine straw covering it most of the year. Lots of hikers and dog walkers, but everyone is always really good about keeping pets close to them and cleaning up. The left and right loops are really fun to run, ride, or hike. Unfortunately, the city has decided it needs sportsball fields more than it needs hiking, biking, and nature. I will use them until the day the city levels the forest in favor of flat fields with lines on them.

I don't really hike along the trail as I usually just explore the woods, and if you're like that as well this is a perfect place to go.

It's not a lake anymore, but that's what makes it interesting. This used to be the drinking water reservoir for the City of Auburn. Remnants of that public works project remain, you just have to walk a while to find them. There's no direct parking. Basically you have to park at the elementary school, and walk into the woods from there. No matter which way you take, you'll be going the scenic route, so bring good hiking shoes. After walking on the trail for a couple of minutes, you'll reach a wide path that the gas company has cleared through the woods. You could turn north on this, if you want. The scenery along this way isn't quite as natural, but you feel like you're making more direct progress toward the water. Alternately, you can follow the foot path, which winds back and forth a lot, but will eventually take you where you want to go. The important part is to go northwest somehow. You're looking for a wide grassy trail that follows the path of the stream. The tire tracks that go along this path will be obvious, but if you look closer, you can see the tracks of people, dogs, deer, and a lot more. Follow the water downstream, and you will eventually come upon what's left of the Lake Wilmore Dam. The dam is permanently open now, but you can still see the concrete and steel structure that once held back Auburn's water supply. If you're into that kind of abandoned infrastructure, this is what makes the long walk worthwhile. People have left ropes here, which can make it easier to climb the concrete walls. I wouldn't call the place beautiful, especially with all the graffiti, but it's certainly interesting. Equally important, it's quiet. You can't hear Auburn city noise, it's just the sound of water rushing over the concrete and rocks. If you're up for the walk, it can be a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Lake Wilmore Park has no admission fee. The only parking is at Ogletree Elementary School. Dogs and mountain bikes are allowed. There are no toilets, drinking fountains or other facilities.