223 - Gum Pond Horse and Wagon Trail
Map
Easy.
This rather straight flat trail is the start of the shortest path (without
bushwhacking cross-country) to the ever-poplar
Big Tree. Horseback riding and horse-drawn wagons
are also permitted on this trail, though how you would get a wagon through is
beyond me.
The north end adjoins trailhead
T4 - Braziel and the south end
merges into trail 208 - Northwest.
The northern end of trail 210 - Mitchell Ridge also runs
off of 223 – from the east side of the trail, about a half mile from the
northern end.
The path starts on a ridge and basically stays there for its entire length.
This section of the forest was particularly damaged by the Southern Pine Beetle
infestation several years ago and the landscape is littered with many downed
trees. In their place, Loblolly pines have sprung up on both sides of the
path, making it rather narrow in places.
Aesthetically, the area could be considered somewhat desolate,
especially when the leaves have fallen off the hardwoods.
Though some may prefer this more austere character, the walk is definitely more
cheerful when there’s some greenery around.
For some reason, the birding can be very good along this trail.
Maybe the pines along the way hide the birdwatcher from the birds.
The only half-decent camping locations are at either end of the trail
and you will need to schlep your own water either way. The main uses of
trail 223 are for horseback riding, day-hiking to the Big Tree, and for access
to trail 210.
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