Santee Branch, Pigs Run, Forest Glen and Backside of Nuns Trail Loop

As of June 2019, the New section of the Grist Mill Trail is OPEN and so is ALL the rest down to the Lost Lake Pond. - All the trees in the new section are just babies so you are in total SUN LIGHT. - During the summer be sure to carry plenty of water to drink. - The entire trail is paved in blacktop. - If you are hiking between Ilchester Rd. and the Swinging Bridge be careful crossing the section where the bridge is washing out. - Rocks have been piled up to walk across but this spot can flood during a storm. - Flood signs are posted. This large loop consist of many named trails that are well defined and marked. The upper main long trail is the Santee and is marked in (White). It is considered as the thru-trail. In the Glen Artney section you can stop and take a break in the Hilton Area of the park. From the Hilton area there are a few trails that will lead you down to the river and onto the paved Grist Mill trail. (Santee - Forest Glen or Pigs Run). You have four options for parking. (Soapstone Trail head - Hilton Area Park - Swinging Bridge - Lost Pond). You also have restrooms at each location. You have access to drinking water at three of these areas. The only trail that you may want trekking poles would be the Pigs Run or Forest Glen. These two trail have sections that are very rocky but manageable. One mile of this loop is a paved trail that runs parallels to the river. The busiest trail of all is the Grist Mill trail but that is mainly on weekends.