Weekly Highlight #3 - Pomona Natural Bridge
Pictured above: Pomona Natural Bridge, spanning the spring-fed creek wash that led to its formation, in the emerald afternoon glow.
Pomona Natural Bridge is a 90-foot natural bridge (roughly the length of two school buses!) found near the small town of Pomona, nestled into a Beech, Hickory, and Oak forested draw. The second largest natural bridge within the Shawnee National Forest, the Pomona Natural Bridge was formed over millions of years when a spring-fed creek slowly eroded away the “soft” sandstone that once existed below the formation.
The 0.3 mile trail offers not only fantastic views of the amazing natural feature, but a walk across its 8-foot wide traverse! Make sure to keep an eye out for the old-growth beech tree near the bridge, an interesting and often overlooked attraction.
Wait, isn’t this a natural arch? Great question! There is actually a distinct difference between natural bridges and natural arches. Natural Arches are formed primarily by wind erosion and seasonal freeze-thaw patterns. Natural bridges are formed by direct water erosion. Want to see a natural arch? Check out the Arch of the Gods near the overnight parking lot in the Garden of the God’s recreational area!
Make sure to keep an eye out for amphibians and reptiles near the spring-fed creek, and always give Big Foot the right of way when crossing the natural bridge! The 30-foot drop on either side makes him a bit nervous.
-Happy Trails-