Les Tilyou's Harbison Forest

"It's a jungle out there!" This short, quarter mile section of trail goes through the greenest part of the Forest in the summertime. From the thick green ground cover to the tops of the trees; there's no other section of the Forest like it. It is lush. During the heavy Spring rains, the Broad River floods over it's banks and covers the bottomland area in several feet of water. But after the water recedes, the vegetation shows how beneficial all that water was. You'll find many types of plants growing in this area that do not grow in other areas of the Forest. And I always seem to see and hear the most birds down there too. (see the trails for the expanded commentary)

There are many creeks in Harbison State Forest, but this section along the Spider Woman Trail is the closest I've found to looking like a mountain stream. It has some large rock formations and the water generally runs fairly clear through here (when there is some!). (see the trails for the expanded commentary)

"Rocks Everywhere!"...including in the middle of the trail. For the bikers, this area is one of the most Technical sections of trail in the Forest. Hikers need to be careful going through here also. While the scenery is unique and attention grabbing, watch out for those rocks in the trail! (Or else you may be falling on them!) It's a very short section--to the dismay of many--so enjoy it while you're there.

Here's a view that many of the bikers may not notice--since they're probably paying close attention to the trail. It's a nice section of Spider Woman that overlooks the Rapids at the Broad River. It's a great view if you are hiking...similar to the view from Harbison Bluffs.

Come and listen to the soothing sound of the river. The Broad River isn't known for it's rapids, but there's a nice one here. The ridge of rocks goes all the way across the river with varying amounts of rock exposed depending on water levels. When the water is low, you can go out to an island in the middle of the river. (see the trails for the expanded commentary)