This trail has an incline, sometimes steep, that follows the ridge above the lake. If you are coming in from the main entrance, follow the road past the visitor center, then follow the road sharp right. It passes a circle parking lot. To the right at the beginning of the second turn into the lot is the trail.
It is a steep hill, with the trail wide at this point. There is no sign. There is a small bump where a metal drain is.
Near the top of the hill is a big tree with a couple red triangles on it. The trail branches here, one way straight and up, the other right into a clearing of rocks. This is the start and end of the loop. Red triangles are the trail marker. Clockwise is straight, which in my opinion, is the best way to go. Counter-clockwise is to the right. A little ways into the trail (clockwise) is the campground to the left. Cleary visible for a good ways.
The trail has a lot of rock gardens (gardens have no direct route over them) with some really nice rooty singletrack. The trail is moderate up, down, and straight. There's some really cool rhododendron patches you go through.
End of loop (clockwise) will be in the largest rock garden clearing, with a lot of fallen trees (not on trail). Once you cross a small bridge, you'll be very close to the big tree. Have fun going down the big hill.
OTHER TRAILS: (clockwise)
The
Deer Trail merges from the right for a little ways before breaking off to the left.
The beginning of the
Easy Street trail breaks off to the right. The end of
Easy Street is further up the natural ridge trail (on the right).
There is an intersection, with the Natural Bridge Trail continuing to the first right (very sharp right) the second right is a connector to the No Name Trail. The
Rhododendron Run trail crosses to the front of the two turns.
There is another connector to the right to easy street.
To the left of a sharp right turn is the end of the
Hemlock Trail.
The
Deer Trail crosses the trail.
Have fun!
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