This long but gentle loop hike begins by following the Hughes River along the Nicholson Hollow Trail. As the path wends its way through the gully, watch for rapids and mini-waterfalls along the mossy rocks, and for cedar groves or perhaps even hemlocks that have survived the onslaught of woody adulgids. After a lengthy but unambitious ascent along the edge of the river, the trail splits to the right on the Hannah Run Trail as it snakes its way up the north side of Short Mountain. Reaching the ridgeline, the trail will again veer right onto the Hot Mtn./Short Mtn. Trail – this will skirt the edges of the peak and eventually dive back into the valley carved by the Hughes River.