Snake Root Trail

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Features Fall Colors · Wildlife

The white-blazed Snake Root Trail can be taken in its entirety and can be accessed from a variety of locations: the bottom is accessed from the Lower Pandapas Pond Day Use Area via the Poverty Creek Trail, the Upper Parking Lot at Pandapas via the Horse Nettle Trail, driving to the top via the gravel Brush Mountain FS Road off 460 (if driving here, park at the "roundabout" on the right shortly after the radio tower and follow the blue-blazed Horse Nettle Trail to the left of the info board, or for a longer hike, it could be connected from Heritage Park via the yellow-blazed Gateway Trail.

Starting from the southern trailhead at its terminus with the Brush Mountain Forest Service Road, you'll soon come to the junction with the blue-blazed Horse Nettle Trail. This is likely where most people will come from to reach Snake Root. If coming from Horse Nettle, take a right onto Snake Root and start the downhill. The first half of Snake Root is consistent, well-graded, and fast downhill with several switchbacks. Eventually the downhill eases to a gentle downhill with a short climb or two, and the trail widens out. As you start to see more rhododendron, you'll be coming to the end of Snake Root. You'll pass the blue-blazed May Apple Trail on your left and within 100 yards you'll cross Poverty Creek with the orange-blazed Poverty Creek Trail. To return to both the upper and lower parking lots, take a right on the Poverty Creek Trail.

This is a shared trail with mountain bikers and horses. Keep a heads up and the earbuds out to listen for mountain bikers speeding down the hills. When encountering a horse, it is proper etiquette to step off the trail to the downhill side and stop until the horse has passed. Also, be sure to wear bright colors during hunting season (October 1st through the first week of January). And be friendly; say "hi" to other folks out enjoying the forest!

And check out the Poverty Creek Trail Coalition on Facebook to see about opportunities to give back and do some trail service!