Big Oak Trail
Use	Hiker
South Trailhead	Campground, behind Activity Center
North Trailhead	Acorn Hollow Trail
Distance	0.35 mile
Nearest Parking	0.7 mile; parking lot near entrance to maintenance yard off MD355
Summary	Short trail that passes through both hardwood and pine forests. Unfortunately, the pine area suffered a severe blow down a few years ago.

Narrative Direction: North from Activity Center Trailhead

The trail begins near the amphitheater bowl. It winds downhill for about 100 yards (see photo below) and then makes a sharp right turn as it begins climbing a ridge spoke off of Bennett Ridge.

After about ¼ mile, Little Oak Trail breaks off to the right and heads back up to the Activity Center.

Here Big Oak makes a left turn and heads north. In a few yards, you will come to orienteering post #1 and then cross the headwaters of a seasonal streambed that heads down Acorn Hollow.

After this the trail continues to veer to the left as it heads out away from the stream bed and toward the spine of this little ridge. Big Oak will follow this little ridge about 300-400 yards through a pine grove.

As you approach the spine of the little ridge, you will notice that it is lined with tall pine trees. See the photo below.

However you will also see many fallen pines on the forest floor here as shown in the photo below. This is a result of a blow down from Hurricane Isabella in 2003. Unfortunately, the large number of fallen pines in the area has created a hole in the forest canopy and non-native vines and plants are beginning to proliferate.

Soon after this blow down area, the trail ends when it connects up with Acorn Hollow trail.