Connecting the Loops
There is a connector trail that takes you from the north loop to the south loop (or vise-versa). The connector passes the Blue Pond recreation area and a short side trail leading to Natural Spring. The connector is 4 miles by the map, one mile from the north loop to Blue Spring and 3 miles to the junction with the south loop. In my opinion the connector is closer to 5 miles. Part of the discrepancy comes from some trail re-routes that add distance to the trail.
It is worth your time to stop at Blue Pond, although the recreation area is not open all year (it was closed when I was there in December, but the water was still turned on). There are picnic tables, bathrooms, rusty water, and a small swimming section. The pond is surrounded with other houses and a church camp.
From Blue Pond the trail passes some private land and recently logged sections. It goes up and over some small hills, crosses a stream and then crosses county road 24 on which there is another trailhead. The trail continues through some older sections of forest (relatively), crosses a swampy area on a board walk, and then you will see the sign for Natural Spring. The spring is interesting, not spectacular, but it does have a very good flow of water. The spring shows signs of being used previously as a water source. About half a mile past Natural Spring is the turn off for the
south loop. This section of trail gets a three star rating and is easy.
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Last Updated: April 2003
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