Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trailhead @ Wesley Branch Road -- 2,190'

The Deerfield Loop Trail junction with Wesley Branch Road is seen here. This shouldn't be considered a 'trailhead' as there is no adjacent parking...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trailhead @ Wesley Branch Road -- 2,190'

Don't let the sign fool you...for the first quarter-mile, the Pine Tree Loop and Deerfield Loop coincide...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,220'

The yellow blaze of the Deerfield Loop and blue blaze of the Pine Tree Loop mark the trees along this stretch. As an avid Wolverines fan I approved of the color combo...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,250'

The trail slowly and steadily climbs for this first quarter-mile after leaving the road...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,280'

As you can see, the forest here is quite young...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail Junction -- 2,320'

A quarter-mile north of the road the trail reaches the spot where the Deerfield Loop and Pine Tree Loop part ways. The Deerfield Loop makes a sharp left here (out of frame) while the Pine Tree Loop continues straight ahead...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,310'

The trail as it approaches the Deerfield/Pine Tree Loop split...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail Junction -- 2,320'

The Deerfield Loop Trail as it departs downhill from its junction with the Pine Tree Loop Trail...

Deerfield Loop/Pine Tree Loop Trail Junction -- 2,320'

Looking back at the junction of the Deerfield and Pine Tree Loops. The previous photo was taken from straight ahead with the Deerfield Loop continuing downhill to the right...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,330'

The trail suddenly, and briefly, bumps up against this large grassy clearing...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,300'

The route is now headed generally east, though the trail takes a very meandering journey along the ridge on its way in that direction...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,340'

These clearings are a common sight within the National Forest...they are maintained by the USFS as wildlife habitat...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,370'

As the trail reaches its high point the ground gets noticeably more sandy, and a few more pines begin to mix into the surrounding forest...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,340'

Morning shade persists a bit longer than elsewhere within this narrow cove...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,350'

The trail as it curves into the long narrow cove at the south end of the loop...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,330'

As the trail reaches the eastern portion, of the south side of the loop, the forest briefly becomes almost exclusively one of pine trees...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,330'

The beautiful surrounding forest of Bent Creek...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,320'

Entering the narrow cove above the junction with the Deerfield Connector Trail...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,300'

This wide sweeping switchback tells of the heavy mountain bike traffic the trail frequently sees...

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,280'

Looking back up the hill the trail descends to reach its junction with the Deerfield Connector and Small Creek Trails...

Deerfield Loop/Deerfield Connector Trail Junction -- 2,260'

Ok...this junction needs a bit of explaining. It's signed but still a bit confusing. The Deerfield Loop continues straight ahead at this point with the Deerfield Connector Trail going right (east). If you turn onto the Connector within a dozen feet the Small Creek Trail begins on the left...you'll see this better in the next shot...

Deerfield Loop/Deerfield Connector Trail Junction -- 2,260'

This shot looks to the right from near the same spot as the previous one. Here you can see the Deerfield Connector Trail heading east straight ahead. Cutting back to the left is the upper end of the Small Creek Trail...

Deerfield Loop/Homestead Trail Junction -- 2,150'

Looking back at the lower terminus of the Deerfield Loop Trail (right), at the Homestead Trail, next to Lake Powhatan.

Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,250'

The Deerfield Loop Trail now I begins following the rhododendron-choked valley of Small Creek north...