This section of the trail is fantastic! It offers a more remote experience than some of the other sections of the LSHT, which often include some road and trail pathways. The area was once devastated by a pine bark beetle infestation in the early 1980s; however, the damaged forest was subsequently burned and replanted by the US Forest Service between 1982 and 1987. Even with a trained eye, it's difficult to see any evidence of the infestation.
Despite the new growth areas, there is no usable road through this 9.3-mile trek, making it a beautiful, rustic, and enjoyable hike through the scenic, diverse forest.