Looking north, Little Angel Spring Trail crosses a natural gas pipeline easement (left and right) and enters into the Joan White Howell Nature Preserve. The insert shows the sign for this preserve. This sign is in front of a large sugar maple tree. ed

 

Entering into the nature preserve, the trail turns to the east. There is a sign with a quote from Henry David Thoreau on the left and several large american cherry trees. The PRIDE trail merges with Little Angel Spring Trail on the left just pas this sign.t

PHiking northeast along LASP. Note the very large American cherry tree on the right. This tree is the one whose lumber is used in cherry furniture. It is also called black cherry. It's scientific name is Prunus serotina.  

 

Hiking north west you will see several American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) with smoth gray bark and buttressed roots.

 

The trail takes a sharp turn to the east as you approach Little Angel Spring. Note that the tops of many trees have been broken out. This is the result of an icestorm. Also along this part of the trail you may see pawpaw patches. Pawpaw has an 8-10" leaf that is remniscent of a hounds tongue.

 

At the top of a short side trail down the Little Angel Spring is a bench, a sign and two markers. The markers were placed at the top of the trail in honor of the two Eagle Scout Candidates who worked on the trail, Kyle Kenner and Wayne Tucker

 

If you follow this trail you will find an angel statue and marker honoring Joan White Howell. The steps down to the viewing deck can be slippery in wet weather.

 

A closer view of the angel and marker.

 

Just past the Little Angel Spring Side Trail, you will pass through an area with some of the largest trees in the forest. This panorama is 360 degrees on the ground (using the right and left arrows) and will let you see the canopy of the forest if you pan up (use the up arrow).