HIKING
INFO
Scarce O’Fat Trail , Yellowwood State Forest
Great fall color viewpoints.
Suzanne Mittenthal
The Scarce O’Fat trail takes its name from a high ridge above a valley that was flooded years ago to form Yellowwood Lake. Some hunting incident in a past age left a hungry family short on a pioneer staple—bad year for deer forage?
The YSF is best reached from SR 46, midway between Bloomington and Nashville. Just look for the forest sign on the north side of the road. The 4-mile loop trail (SF on map) begins at the end of graveled Jackson Creek Rd. just below the dam. It ascends to the ridge, reaches the point where it intersects with the Tecumseh Trail, then leaves the ridge, heading back down to Jackson Creek Road. Caution: folks notoriously miss this turn-off! Go too far south on the ridge, and you will see houses on your right and reach SR 46. The ridge walk goes fast, after the work to climb up to the ridge. Watch for it on your left! Just before the final descent, the trail reaches the high knob known as High King Hill. From High King, you will get a fine view of fall foliage and Yellowwood Lake (the fewer the leaves, the better the view of the lake!)
This trail is enjoyable in all seasons. The section from Scarce O’Fat to High King includes some bottomlands with abundant wildflowers in spring. For a change of pace and an extra mileage challenge, this loop can easily be combined with the 5-mile trail around Yellowwood Lake.
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