Sinking Stream Trail

Sinking Stream loop trail is a nice kid friendly trail to observe nature, catch crawfish, and enjoy a short walk through simple terrain. The trailhead shares the parking lot, restroom, and picnic tables with the Historic Van Winkle Trail on Hwy 12. This short and easy trail is a loop, upstream from the tunnels under Hwy 12. It goes up one side of Little Clifty Creek, crosses 3 bridges, then returns on the other side. It is natural surface, single track, for foot traffic only. The trail follows old level road beds, except for a couple hundred yards on west side hill. The upstream portion of the creek sinks under the rocks during dry spells, then re-emerges further on downstream. A nice spring on the west side runs all year. One of the three Scout bridges crosses this spring flow, just below some small beaver dams. Spring flowers abound here, before the large sycamore, oak, hickory trees, and spice bush, shade them out. Lots of birds, deer, and other wildlife love this area, and can be seen if you are quiet.