The thing about trail hiking is you really don't need all that expensive gear to start. I usually just wear my regular running shoes as long as they have decent grip. The most important thing is bringing enough water and maybe a small snack. For the trail you mentioned, I think the loop path is better than the out-and-back because you get to see the creek around the halfway point. The elevation gain is pretty gradual so it won't wear you out too much. Start early if you can because the parking lot fills up by nine on weekends. I usually bring a light jacket even when it's warm because the shade sections can get cool. The map shows about three miles total which is perfect for a morning walk. Take the left fork at the big oak tree if you want the easier grade and there is a nice spot to rest near the old bridge. The trail markers are well maintained so you should not have any trouble following the route even if it is your first time out there.

I used that paint you recommended and it worked really well on the bookshelf. The coverage was much better than what I was using before and it dried pretty fast too. I did two coats just to be safe and let each one dry for about four hours. The brush marks were minimal which was my main concern. For the trim I ended up using a different approach with a smaller brush and it made a big difference in the final look. I still need to finish the bottom shelf but ran out of paint so I will pick up another quart tomorrow. The color matches the sample chip almost exactly which is nice because sometimes they look different once they are on the wall. I was worried about the finish being too shiny but it turned out just right. Next time I might try the satin sheen instead of semi-gloss just to see how it compares on a larger piece of furniture. The prep work took longer than I expected but it was worth it in the end.