Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
opportunity for outings of different lengths, long to short. The terrain is level and the hiking
is very easy. The trail from Open Pond will give you the most variety of habitat in the shortest
distance. The route the trail takes includes circumnavigating Open Pond itself, passing by
three smaller ponds, climbing gently over a few foothills, passing by some swampy areas,
and coming to the bank of Five Runs Creek and adjacent Blue Spring. Blue Spring is named
for its most interesting blue shades of water. Cypress trees are widespread in these ponds and
in the streams and rivers of the national forest.
Check the swampy, hardwood forests for warblers: orange-crowned and yellow-rumped in
the winter, and prothonotary, Swainson's, common yellowthroat, hooded, and Louisiana wa-
terthrush in the spring and summer. Solitary vireo can be readily seen in the woods near Open
Pond during the winter. In woods with Spanish moss (such as near Alligator Hole, the smal-
lest of the three ponds near Open Pond) listen and look for northern parula warbler.
