Gulf Coast Region - Hiking Alabama: A Guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures - page 87

The resulting interpretive trail is a fascinating educational experience and nice
walk in the woods, one that is suitable for families with children of all ages, over
wide, packed dirt paths and long boardwalks. If you have younger children, you
may want to cut the trip short due to the length.
The path is well marked with metal directional signs, and at key turns in the
trail, a large map of the route shows you where you are. Throughout the trek there
are informational signs that identify the many species of native trees you will
pass, such as tupelo gum, sweet bay, red maple, wax myrtle, and bald cypress.
Signs also describe the wetland ecosystem and the Muddy Creek project itself.
The hike begins along a 0.2-mile paved section of trail, but after that it is a
wide, hard-packed dirt and clay path. Several long boardwalks are encountered on
the trip over beautiful wetlands and streams, including the trail's namesake. Re-
member, water in streams and wetlands can be seasonal in Alabama. The best
time to visit is late February to mid-May, when the spring rains are plentiful along
the Gulf and the creek is wide and flowing, and the wildflowers and trees are
blooming. The boardwalks are wide, with tall handrails and an occasional viewing
platform or bench.
One of the more interesting boardwalks at the northern end of the loop takes
you through a beaver pond management area. As the sign will tell you, beavers
were once considered nuisances but it was found that the careful management of
beaver ponds results in a healthier wetland system.
As you head back, you will be treated to a few sections of trail where the foot-
ing is thick green moss. The cushion of the moss is quite the transition from the
hard-packed dirt, and on sunny days the moss has a beautiful green glow to it.