North Region - Hiking Alabama: A Guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures - page 406

Branch Loop. Take the left trail, which begins as a wide dirt
road.

The trail narrows to 2-foot-wide dirt path.

0.2

Cross the horse trail to the north (there is a bench here).

0.4

You are walking next to nice creek on the left.

0.5

Arrive at Lawson Branch, with some pretty cascades to the left.
This is the intersection with the Lawson Branch Loop (straight
ahead to the north). Do not cross the creek. Turn right onto the
single red-blazed Jones Branch Loop, with excellent views and
access to the branch through this section. Blazes are now
double red. ( Option: You can cross the creek and extend the
trip by completing the Lawson Branch Loop and then finishing
the Jones Branch Loop at this point.)

0.6

Turn left (south) onto an old dirt road. In 20 feet turn right
(south) and continue on the Jones Branch Loop.

0.7

Cross the horse trail to the east.

1.0

Cross a dirt road to the east. On the other side, turn right
(south) to continue the loop (there is a short game trail to the
left that leads nowhere). In winter there are good views of
Shoal Creek here.

1.1

The trail skirts the eastern edge of the power line as it heads to
the south. The trail can be overgrown with grass but the path is
discernible.

1.5