Albright Grove, named for Horace Albright, director of the NPS, superintendent of Yellowstone and Yosemite and legal assistant to Stephen Mather. That is quite a resume. This is a uncut grove of mixed hardwoods and hemlocks. The trees are not the size of trees in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, but represent a greater number of big tree species than the Kilmer forest has.
The trailhead is reached along a small gravel road, Laurel Springs Road. The first several trail miles are along an old gravel road which finally succumbs to a rough trail. Today, the trail still had its winter fallen tree debris. I managed to snake my way through a couple spots. As you approach the grove, big trees can be spotted along the trail, then you cross a wonderful footbridge just prior to entering the loop trail through the grove.
Some of the hemlocks in this area have succumbed to the hemlock adelgid. The loop trail goes high to a ridge with big tree all around. The terrain is very rough and gives one an idea of the forest conditions before logging took most of the trees.
The return hike is downhill and a nice easy walk. I believe this was about an 8 mile hike.
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