Natural Bridge Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop is through the Clifty Creek Conservation Area, and features beautiful creeks and a nice natural bridge. There are plenty of switchbacks up cliffs and fun terrain to hike or run on, but MTB is not allowed. The creeks can be rather high when there's enough rain, be prepared to get wet! There are a couple of primitive camping spots, as well.

The trail is a packed dirt singletrack with somewhat steep grades and two stream crossings. There is no gravel and the trail may be slippery with leaves.

The running is straightforward and clearly marked, though with two creek crossings you should come prepared to get your feet wet. Immediately after heavy rain the stream may be up to knee deep and fast flowing.

You can see the Natural Bridge without crossing the stream by taking a right at the loop and heading directly to it, but the bridge spans Little Clifty Creek as it merges with Clifty Creek on the opposite (north) side, and to access the bridge directly you'll have to ford Clifty Creek in at least on place.

From the north side of the trail, headed east toward Little Clifty Creek, the top of the bridge is often accessed and can be walked across. The climb off the bridge on the east side is somewhat hazardous, as the bridge terminates in a 20-foot drop off to the ground. The bridge spans 40 feet across the creek and is almost as high, with tall spruce trees growing on top of it.

The trail offers modest views of the creek valley and surrounding hills from the higher points, but no lookouts cleared of trees.

The hilltops feature lichen and moss-covered rocks typical of there area, and the valley is brushy and thorny.