Distance: 1.6 Miles
Elevation Change: ~240 ft gain/loss
The triangle is personally my favorite trail route in Memorial Park. Its the only part of the park with constant rolling hills without flat stretches and is similar in terrain for trail races like Hell's Hills/Horseshoe/Wild Hare. It does have a few hazards: the trail can get very slippery after rain making it is easy to lose your footing on the downhills and quick turns, it is also a bit more remote than the main Memorial Park Trails and passes under three roads and train tracks. While I have never encountered any nefarious characters on the route or have heard of anyone having problems on the trail, I would suggest avoiding the route during the dark or running it in a group. It can also be confusing to find, so I've put together a route guide.
1. The route starts at the Memorial Park Trail Center Parking lot.
2. Head over the bridge spanning Woodway Drive.
3. Take a sharp left turn (180 degrees) immediately after the end of the bridge. You will see a small single track trail heading towards the embankment under the train tracks.
4. Run across the embankment under the train tracks. You should see where the trail picks back up on the other side of the embankment picks back up. Take a hard right and you will run along a jeep trail parallel to the train tracks.
5. Take a left onto the single track trail right before the power line as shown in the picture. The is the official beginning of the triangle trail.
6. Shortly afterwards you will cross under two road crossings. Be careful as you cross under as these areas can flood after heavy rains and footing is rugged and inconsistent.
6-7. This section can be very slippery when wet, if you are wearing road shoes be careful not to slip on the downhills.
7. After following the single track trail for awhile you will come to the Hog's Wood loop. There is a map of the triangle immediately in front of you. If you take two lefts you will continue on the main triangle trail. I typically skip Hog's Wood since it is flat and has fallen tree trunks littering it, but it is an option if you want to add extra distance to the route.
8. You will come to the side of a steep concrete hill here. Turn left and you will continue along the triangle route. A right turn will take you to the Hog's Wood loop. This is a decent hill to do some short hill repeats on.
9. After crossing under the road you will continue along the trail to your left and go up the hill. You will end up on the south side of Woodway Drive.
10. Continue east along Woodway drive to get back to the Trail Center
Another option for the route that avoid the confusing section at the beginning is to run it as an out and back in the opposite direction as listed above. Have fun running the triangle!
Below are pictures for each number section to help you navigate.
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While you've never encountered any nefarious characters you are highly likely to encounter a Neffarious character! Thanks for the post! - Cal Neffarious
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