Southern Loop

The foot that hangs outside the covers. Closed eyes in front of bathroom mirrors in the dark. The hair that stands up on the back of your neck. This is that trail. Technical? Yes. Beauty? Sure, it's definitely there. But there is something else too. You'll notice the creepiness nearing as the blaze seemingly zigs and zags back and forth through the pines for no reason, like the trail is purposely trying to shake you off. The feeling heightens as you pass the fallen ice trees and the tiny wood bridge at the moist bottom of the slope. Off in the distance, you'll spy a short tin roof shack. DO NOT STEP OFF TRAIL TO INVESTIGATE. You've seen the movie. It is best to pick up your pace as it is mostly uphill from here. Do not be alarmed when you hear crashing in the woods, or when random rocks rebound off the trees behind you. Simply pick up the pace and you'll be fine. DO NOT TURN AROUND. Keep hiking. After you cross the scenic byway for the second time, you have a choice: abort the hike and sprint on the road half a mile to your parked car at the visitor center or continue the trail on the other side. Hint: There have been no sightings of the North American Yeti east of Ward Lake. Note: Do not hike this on Friday the 13th or during the deer rut. The bucks on this loop get rather aggressive. Just hike long and hike wild.