Second Base lies north of Young Love in Marckworth State Forest. It overlooks Dagger Lake and views east to Haystack Lookout Site on Ten-Four Mountain. Meanwhile, the shorter Elsies Charms sits to the north across Lake Elsie.
![Haystack Lookout Site above Dagger Lake from Second Base](https://i0.wp.com/onehikeaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_7956.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
See more trip photos here.
Second Base and Elsies Charms at a Glance
Access: Dagger Lake Road
Round Trip: 6.4 miles
Elevation Range: 500′-1200′
Gear: none
Route Info: Rich P
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Driving Music: Urban
Back to Marckworth State Forest
We returned to check out more places after last week’s outing. Like last time, we stopped by Sultan Bakery before heading into the state forest. The yellow pup seemed to have enough energy and went up both hills with us.
The gate to the first hill was only .25 mile from the Dagger Road turnoff. The forested path didn’t offer much to see en route. Despite being straightforward, we veered off the main road twice but went back on track soon after.
![Hurdle time](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/52806199060_a14a7b75de_b.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
See more trip photos here.
Second Base via Dagger Lake Road
The left fork at mile one held the most down trees until the next junction. Staying right, the dead logs reduced as the brushy path continued below Second Base summit’s west. Then a quick scramble from the south soon put us on the woodsy top.
The small opening viewed Haystack Lookout Site, Mount Stickney, and Zekes Peak. Then we went south a short way atop the cliffs to see Young Love and Dagger Lake. There were also many RVs and vehicles in the lake basin.
![East panorama from Second Base](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/52806243968_f8c50fb221_c.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
See more trip photos here.
Elsies Charms Plus Exit
I parked by the gate above Youngs Creek Falls before walking one mile through the boggy area. Then we left the path as the road dipped and scrambled through the saddle. We later picked up an old dirt road along the south rim until it ended.
Soon, another old road appeared below the top as it began to rain. From the bend, 250′ over the brush soon put us at the treed summit. Then we scouted out views at the road’s end before returning to the car in the frogs croaking.
![Young Love from last week](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/52806200365_f702f51efd_c.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
See more trip photos here.