Bandy Camp Loop Trail - Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

We headed to the Bandy Creek area of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in late May 2014 with a plan to hike the 6.3 mile John Litton Farm Loop.  Planning to hike the loop in a counter-clockwise manner, we hiked about found ½ mile before encountering a muddy and slick trail below the first set of ladders.  We chose to turn back and hike the trail in drier conditions.  Instead, we chose to walk the relatively flat 1.3 mile Bandy Camp Loop Trail.

The trail is fairly level as it skirts the edge of an open field

Joan found this gray rat snake (aka chicken snake) on the trail

Hundreds of ferns grow near a wet weather drainage area

Open forest prevails in drier areas

The trail crosses the drainage on a sturdy foot bridge

The trail passes a small pond as it loops back around toward the visitor center

There is no fee to enter Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm.