Cranberry Glades - Cowpasture Trail

June 29, 2020

The Cowpasture Trail is a 7-mile arc around the bog area of the Cranberry Glades. We did an out-and-back hike on both ends.

I've been here many times, but this was the first time I knew that a federal minimum-security prison (Mill Point Prison) was located in the Cranberry Glades from 1938 to 1959. There was no fence or wall around the facility - the Cranberry wilderness was its fence. It was most famous for housing conscientious objectors in World War II, and those in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify in the McCarthy hearing in the 1950s.

A small creek was at the western edge of the prison camp on the Cowpasture Trail.

There was a lot of milkweed along the trail and Monarch butterflies could be seen flitting around the milkweed. While milkweed is required for the larvae (caterpillars), this adult monarch is feeding on a red clover.

Another view of the Monarch butterfly.

A white-tailed deer along the trail.

A viewing deck is about a mile into the other end of the trail.

The view from the deck towards the botanical area and boardwalk.

Panoramic view from the deck.

We'll have to come back and hike the complete trail someday - even though it gets pretty wet in spots!