Hickory Creek and Conasauga River Trails share the same tread- way from the sharp left turn to where the fords start again at Little Rough Creek. The combined trail makes a flattened half loop away from, then back to, the river. The formerly farmed field now sup-ports an impressive stand of second-growth trees—hemlock, sweet-gum, white pine, and tall, straight yellow poplar. Christmas fern (also known as evergreen) is common beside the old wagon track. Before curling back to the river, the route passes beside an old, grassed-in beaver pond, still holding open water near the dam.