The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area has lots of easily accessible hikes and I recently did a new one for me, the Leatherwood Loop Trail. It starts at the Leatherwood Ford Bridge, pretty much in the middle of the Park, goes up the Big South Fork River a ways, then climbs steeply 500 feet or so to the rim and plateau above. After a short side trail to a scenic overlook of the river, the trail proceeds along the Plateau, passing a small pond and huge forest clearing. It then descends back down to the Leatherwood Ford Bridge, passing a small waterfall and evidence of an old jeep road that once provided the access down to the river. Lots of variety in the 3.5 or so mile route and I did it on a perfect weather day, 65 degrees and sunny. And saw a surprising number of early spring wildflowers. Afterward I explored an off trail route to the “Devil’s Cave,” but will have to come back to see the cave. For photos of the trip see this link: https://theskeltonview.smugmug.com/20...