tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51647103196729080932024-03-19T07:20:28.594-04:00Smoky Scout's Hiking Adventuressmoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.comBlogger725125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-72714946701335381642024-02-15T16:14:00.004-05:002024-02-15T20:48:18.622-05:00Cape Cod National Seashore: Race Point Lighthouse<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Cape Cod R&R 2023: Race Point Lighthouse Hike – 5/4/23 – 4.5 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw6U-J9g24jlXWvZTdBNdlzKe16u0z51aiBVVXl5Lznahm5v81akomeA1vhUkUSXEYwHRlfnjsF_4UOg_qaJ0VskhnPy_wHsYO3Lyg9RDeIhGXn7pkwLW74peIMkyKjzqYjUvWwo7lDHGjUrnWQDvnMzjwzxcvm8qJ4_MwHMLOM1QGdeJi4EqUgwCrjuQ/s1080/thumbnail%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw6U-J9g24jlXWvZTdBNdlzKe16u0z51aiBVVXl5Lznahm5v81akomeA1vhUkUSXEYwHRlfnjsF_4UOg_qaJ0VskhnPy_wHsYO3Lyg9RDeIhGXn7pkwLW74peIMkyKjzqYjUvWwo7lDHGjUrnWQDvnMzjwzxcvm8qJ4_MwHMLOM1QGdeJi4EqUgwCrjuQ/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A week after our younger daughter got married in April 2023, Jim and I whisked ourselves away to Cape Cod. After many months of planning and spreadsheets, the wedding was a beautiful and (dare I say it?) flawless celebration with family and friends. The honeymoon? Why, yes, the father and mother of the bride were ready for some R&R. <br /><br />Rain arrived in Boston when we did and lingered for most of our visit, but it didn’t “dampen” our plans. We were a week ahead of the spring/summer season, very few people and free access to all beaches. Chilly gale force winds couldn’t stop us from roaming all around the Cape! The sunsets were gorgeous, the seafood was delicious, and we found adventures everywhere.<br /><br />We spent one day driving up the east coast from Orleans to Provincetown, checking out coffee shops and Cape Cod National Seashore <a href="https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/guiding-lights.htm Lighthouse summary"><span style="color: red;">lighthouses</span></a> and beaches.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://www.nausetlight.org/ "><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgR9ukBLpm6FwhCsDexDfVQY4dQne3Ij2Splpw5BJLP6Eorf6SkizrzZ_LeZKiC6nTYShz9vlJc75UUfeRkvZhYQDQFNNSrdc4yvNs-iocQSy9J0TTXRFSfwHhyv8AR0AgqzP8YWFfQ8YGXDPanPLRHcaCSLob3_RmhwZ9ocqE6S14rACUe214PoGzQx_/w480-h640/20230504_101127.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nausetlight.org/ "><span style="color: red;">Nauset Lighthouse</span></a> near Eastham, MA, built in 1877<br /> (iconic photo on a bag of potato chips, haha)</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID-ssqc1EMMxpb0hgOejtmPO6bKZ_gatHFjurglQ-F8wC-MrD5Iowk2qr9qrRpKgtYKalb3Ngwaml8M91N1HIGRZjAQvySa4QpjhiMnTPRUK34m5GUlq7t3h4QTYVTrub201GzFqMxAhf4_WknMPJk_X6Nl_pmU_CdVcAKK_14Ivg2Bvuaj9hEEClCf0B/s4032/20230504_102313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID-ssqc1EMMxpb0hgOejtmPO6bKZ_gatHFjurglQ-F8wC-MrD5Iowk2qr9qrRpKgtYKalb3Ngwaml8M91N1HIGRZjAQvySa4QpjhiMnTPRUK34m5GUlq7t3h4QTYVTrub201GzFqMxAhf4_WknMPJk_X6Nl_pmU_CdVcAKK_14Ivg2Bvuaj9hEEClCf0B/w640-h480/20230504_102313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked the sandy access path to peek at the powerful surf and brooding clouds. <br />No toe dips today, thanks!</div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/thr.htm "><span style="color: red;">Three Sisters of Nauset Lighthouse Station</span></a> were first established in 1838. Over the years the girls got around, moving to different locations in the neighborhood before they were reunited close to home in 1975, went through fabulous spa treatments and reopened to the public in 1989. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQk8wCyMQ-yHdYKkRkVRry2cX9bGOnXfWLhFjGqGX1eInFlmyhzOzyDCOnVgkL7ahgutdnPQfHHjJ9xbyfi3CERXOaMRIbN1n_lbn74_8x0uc8rKjeLlUYlV2EQzQp2nvWiuv_NQ5KO1FCdR9uTtVqIfyhfE5-9d27HQAh5jFidQgZ1R_bGGVOdxkgxH5/s3647/20230504_103214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQk8wCyMQ-yHdYKkRkVRry2cX9bGOnXfWLhFjGqGX1eInFlmyhzOzyDCOnVgkL7ahgutdnPQfHHjJ9xbyfi3CERXOaMRIbN1n_lbn74_8x0uc8rKjeLlUYlV2EQzQp2nvWiuv_NQ5KO1FCdR9uTtVqIfyhfE5-9d27HQAh5jFidQgZ1R_bGGVOdxkgxH5/w530-h640/20230504_103214.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><p>Mechanical engineer Jim insisted on stopping at the <a href="https://npplan.com/parks-by-state/massachusetts-national-parks/cape-cod-national-seashore-park-at-a-glance/cape-cod-national-seashore-historic-sites/cape-cod-national-seashore-marconi-station-site/ "><span style="color: red;">Marconi Wireless Station Site</span></a> where the first transatlantic wireless communication between the United States and Europe took place on January 18, 1903. Just a couple of years later, the station was closed due to fear of dune erosion. The equipment was removed, erosion eventually happened, and the remaining buildings fell into the ocean. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMBTqi9yphuVICrThafig84ELg8StCCu9K172b1vCCjmjeURWTkHFf8M71mICZkCgqBxMdk7BrW6FbVupuG55-onZe6oI3bYGmaQmyqs7ehQeaHDqFbZTEC_PjpDFshl0869FRTuBpERRlHvJPH982hEJNYLFnDE9lfJlBlqst8wftKsPDaKAh_AO7Nds/s4032/20230504_105009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMBTqi9yphuVICrThafig84ELg8StCCu9K172b1vCCjmjeURWTkHFf8M71mICZkCgqBxMdk7BrW6FbVupuG55-onZe6oI3bYGmaQmyqs7ehQeaHDqFbZTEC_PjpDFshl0869FRTuBpERRlHvJPH982hEJNYLFnDE9lfJlBlqst8wftKsPDaKAh_AO7Nds/w640-h480/20230504_105009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked the paved path from the parking area to the top of some dunes for an ocean view – imagination required.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdkoQ_I3iGjejCOz9-HZB7WNbeH89t4sRTgtxlCup1Oud2pV0rA3OHa-wphz5Qf3-dcHwbyiqCcmd4droHGsF9BeXibqNiJCb5rnLCrnf4QDkJOIQ45yJnBCyxeO_kzNZ1Me-KHNGQjKnglM9SZIQ6bVrXTtjQOL1qH5-CKsSpgADOgshN_oxToErJxsP/s2372/20230504_120001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="2372" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdkoQ_I3iGjejCOz9-HZB7WNbeH89t4sRTgtxlCup1Oud2pV0rA3OHa-wphz5Qf3-dcHwbyiqCcmd4droHGsF9BeXibqNiJCb5rnLCrnf4QDkJOIQ45yJnBCyxeO_kzNZ1Me-KHNGQjKnglM9SZIQ6bVrXTtjQOL1qH5-CKsSpgADOgshN_oxToErJxsP/w640-h396/20230504_120001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Next stop: Province Lands Visitor Center near Provincetown at the northern tip of Cape Cod. We chatted with the ranger and told her we were interested in walking to <a href="https://www.racepointlighthouse.org/ "><span style="color: red;">Race Point Lighthouse</span></a>. She said it was “about a mile” walking on the beach from the public access at Race Point Beach.<br /><br /><i>[Race Point Lighthouse is maintained by the <a href="https://lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/race-point-light/ "><span style="color: red;">Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation</span></a>, meaning volunteers and donations keep it going.]</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm_9-_I_mUcTRlst22I0OsRAWbK5FUblYxcsOq8F9FlSSQ8RkxU2admP0ZXzZYM2qdFMxllYyWD8FusoU4lkXA28bXN-WfyJ5DhK2AXD0aGzMhQJybHzNMBou8rFncMPw6mh4Yxcq8TPIkVTvDNQUNianlhblJlbdSTyohEOO7NJRdNeAM2PUCZLZWtQG/s4032/20230504_123140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm_9-_I_mUcTRlst22I0OsRAWbK5FUblYxcsOq8F9FlSSQ8RkxU2admP0ZXzZYM2qdFMxllYyWD8FusoU4lkXA28bXN-WfyJ5DhK2AXD0aGzMhQJybHzNMBou8rFncMPw6mh4Yxcq8TPIkVTvDNQUNianlhblJlbdSTyohEOO7NJRdNeAM2PUCZLZWtQG/w480-h640/20230504_123140.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So…we parked at Race Point Beach and started walking</div><br />It was soon after high tide and we had plenty of sand, waves, gloomy skies, brisk wind, and one seal bobbing in the water. What we did not have was human company. <br /><br />We walked and walked, Jim tracking with his GAIA GPS. After a mile and a half, we began to wonder if we would see the lighthouse above the dunes. How close is it to the water’s edge? Or have we passed it? But GAIA said, nope, we have a ways to go.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeJ0TlCeUCLljJaESidSllnDmadah1Nclj-UxR6Fb69tn7c_0x_nV8I0xx_zeNFICdaP8PkEijyRnDhMkeKlKw0YKDw2bwLqkwf5IB0HF9RR83Xv8sbXK6jW-MKzxlUayqIAnIM_uEIuKyjtG5FxV0qyX7WdX6S_EjV5W6YWDiCb_Xouw2p-CAdQd3J1_/s4032/20230504_123713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeJ0TlCeUCLljJaESidSllnDmadah1Nclj-UxR6Fb69tn7c_0x_nV8I0xx_zeNFICdaP8PkEijyRnDhMkeKlKw0YKDw2bwLqkwf5IB0HF9RR83Xv8sbXK6jW-MKzxlUayqIAnIM_uEIuKyjtG5FxV0qyX7WdX6S_EjV5W6YWDiCb_Xouw2p-CAdQd3J1_/w640-h480/20230504_123713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiJ9KHje263kicT45b45mF4_fxF4Gj4b_sPoIIBaEPf8KWJEibijeCEy6Iyoq21urjFBiCYAtPgMIWH0mbGxiiQDBGaYV48bNj9lFPhkQtVIRQKXvbOcGiOxMdcyYIKHpKyWMZS4Wr5Ljv69fDHa-oBwug3JJQboJBJd595Xx0loDfok_tWFe9DriG8F-/s4032/20230504_125813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiJ9KHje263kicT45b45mF4_fxF4Gj4b_sPoIIBaEPf8KWJEibijeCEy6Iyoq21urjFBiCYAtPgMIWH0mbGxiiQDBGaYV48bNj9lFPhkQtVIRQKXvbOcGiOxMdcyYIKHpKyWMZS4Wr5Ljv69fDHa-oBwug3JJQboJBJd595Xx0loDfok_tWFe9DriG8F-/w480-h640/20230504_125813.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We saw an SUV driving along the beach ahead of us. It stopped, then moved on, stopped again, and we caught up with the driver, a photographer. When we asked about the lighthouse, he thought we should keep going “around the bend” and we would see it.<br /><br />Ummm, which bend?<br /><br />By now we knew the ranger wasn’t accurate, obviously she had never walked to the lighthouse herself. Not ready to concede defeat, we pushed on and soon spotted a break in the dunes. Jim climbed up and sighted the lighthouse, so we left the beach and walked through the dunes another 15 minutes to reach it. <i>[I am not sure if this was the real beach access or not. Let me know if you know].</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkuNzsQK2Z-QXEOsr5UadV3I5UJwapM4fEaOjNlQSkByuEiqNF08JZ0uaoGF6v5BCKf5EDYpTD2v16ioRj6-7YYAXMrnXg6XKUBg3-ps7MgfVyqcFnU2RnlKviQgis8oytThwYYxnDh36HzHqm4eQPt896dVtasE5G6jC1iOo56xZjyXW4Y21sFRVA2IW/s3866/20230504_132802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="3866" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkuNzsQK2Z-QXEOsr5UadV3I5UJwapM4fEaOjNlQSkByuEiqNF08JZ0uaoGF6v5BCKf5EDYpTD2v16ioRj6-7YYAXMrnXg6XKUBg3-ps7MgfVyqcFnU2RnlKviQgis8oytThwYYxnDh36HzHqm4eQPt896dVtasE5G6jC1iOo56xZjyXW4Y21sFRVA2IW/w640-h420/20230504_132802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgspA-8afgl8lmm5PFuiciARb6jO-ktcunNGye4ZUhm7WkCwRKOC1i5fuxBYAUawrbDYUK7NOyMnVrpywhDSGHAyJXel4Uyf0jdpjyjef2GJ4f68KWaTryr9_YdoVIxc_sGGkHVzmjg3r_xyDPOt5Y1wZV381I55okHm3hCIJv6ZGQdmT3wLfP5vpm28l/s4032/20230504_132845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgspA-8afgl8lmm5PFuiciARb6jO-ktcunNGye4ZUhm7WkCwRKOC1i5fuxBYAUawrbDYUK7NOyMnVrpywhDSGHAyJXel4Uyf0jdpjyjef2GJ4f68KWaTryr9_YdoVIxc_sGGkHVzmjg3r_xyDPOt5Y1wZV381I55okHm3hCIJv6ZGQdmT3wLfP5vpm28l/w480-h640/20230504_132845.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-WuTvh6a8vRhnOlMd2fz7qtmYFp6Y2VOLzXP66GJiNbDdMonNaQACeHEdRJz1whWlMD06-PA-34_xBlHTFrl8yphTbWtUj1YsB_zRXaFkbdxe3L_4I6EeJcI7qPs0az7nQ9hgbuDmyAo8mwI6EMl2N-p6n9fEzmNxT4BUWVotz-yz9g_jvWQa4N3pa72/s2640/20230504_132903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="2640" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-WuTvh6a8vRhnOlMd2fz7qtmYFp6Y2VOLzXP66GJiNbDdMonNaQACeHEdRJz1whWlMD06-PA-34_xBlHTFrl8yphTbWtUj1YsB_zRXaFkbdxe3L_4I6EeJcI7qPs0az7nQ9hgbuDmyAo8mwI6EMl2N-p6n9fEzmNxT4BUWVotz-yz9g_jvWQa4N3pa72/w640-h576/20230504_132903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The buildings, as expected, were all closed and we took a little time peeking in windows and reading signs. <i>[You can spend the night if you have the funds – a way to support the foundation.] </i>Looking at the time, we decided to walk back via the rough “road” through the dunes instead of returning to the beach – at least we could follow tire tracks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelUTusBiPDhtR-XY-MfYgQvKofwtQO9eqVmP_cr5FAjeNiqxxj0HSWkrVaSl44JGBB3CXUZV6L7vxe8rJgtykW4IEMd6qURzRi7pgTXLR3DGcKTpqxUTqPKXHewZM22bEMGTU154GiFPVtsFS68y7dju2URABLCXvIPixrjxGmq4M_U-kdCH3vNvqgH0/s4032/IMG-2087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelUTusBiPDhtR-XY-MfYgQvKofwtQO9eqVmP_cr5FAjeNiqxxj0HSWkrVaSl44JGBB3CXUZV6L7vxe8rJgtykW4IEMd6qURzRi7pgTXLR3DGcKTpqxUTqPKXHewZM22bEMGTU154GiFPVtsFS68y7dju2URABLCXvIPixrjxGmq4M_U-kdCH3vNvqgH0/w480-h640/IMG-2087.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IIz3UKAO6DFVlVMYcOpS0aNe9mNdkewMmnJfqpD-h-EfMgxMxFpqRpCWUW7lpmnbOPcjEtGAqk9r2J-OONRaqTlZ4PaQCmwMxfoMCK9zp2RAhetYiMMk_pyubVm-O7MoguwGgb2JOSHXLOwOYd208KL8wlVa58bZTVvmyooyw5OCYpT2HCXOfQihDq1w/s2621/IMG-2088.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IIz3UKAO6DFVlVMYcOpS0aNe9mNdkewMmnJfqpD-h-EfMgxMxFpqRpCWUW7lpmnbOPcjEtGAqk9r2J-OONRaqTlZ4PaQCmwMxfoMCK9zp2RAhetYiMMk_pyubVm-O7MoguwGgb2JOSHXLOwOYd208KL8wlVa58bZTVvmyooyw5OCYpT2HCXOfQihDq1w/w464-h640/IMG-2088.1.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Deep sand, slow going, not setting any speed records</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>The Lesson</u>: We were unprepared for this hike, thinking it would be one mile out, one mile back, an hour at most – no backpacks, no water, no food, just rain gear and our puffy jackets (at least we were that smart, because it was quite chilly). Just always carry your backpacks and 10 essentials, people!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5pFE-7s4URB2sxpdk4i8x_bAflfg67FKD2xCpmrm1-cI-21XxfMk7CihNMBJX2YVjltfdNfVfeiQ7auIiNanM4cUWScb5dQEXlLDEJnzHv7wAynolKlukJMtFN5AxM5S8E95uZdj2ajR8pOzBzd7rd6oGLQFwxu31RY6EUszrd7e9y-iwkpncsKiX-kK/s2721/20230504_155939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="2721" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5pFE-7s4URB2sxpdk4i8x_bAflfg67FKD2xCpmrm1-cI-21XxfMk7CihNMBJX2YVjltfdNfVfeiQ7auIiNanM4cUWScb5dQEXlLDEJnzHv7wAynolKlukJMtFN5AxM5S8E95uZdj2ajR8pOzBzd7rd6oGLQFwxu31RY6EUszrd7e9y-iwkpncsKiX-kK/w640-h596/20230504_155939.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">To reset our mindset after the expedition, we headed to Provincetown looking for food, <br />no dillydallying. We found heaven at The Lobster Pot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAIq1n4iSstoPvyxzIBSqtH0yJLK2Reqf2x0imoNkK8wXEXcJgFVi66pVCZUP1HcNkvMOliS3jfl0vubpMdQGcVf9zlcZ9BPKCdRc8G4dAxsaYWNL18ylu8MsQSwVKJra4xOsvE7CoPps5b82iXdZFYGxWMnm6t6YcjDpuzWanMdVbDsTBxjMJ74yCMZ3/s4032/IMG-2091.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAIq1n4iSstoPvyxzIBSqtH0yJLK2Reqf2x0imoNkK8wXEXcJgFVi66pVCZUP1HcNkvMOliS3jfl0vubpMdQGcVf9zlcZ9BPKCdRc8G4dAxsaYWNL18ylu8MsQSwVKJra4xOsvE7CoPps5b82iXdZFYGxWMnm6t6YcjDpuzWanMdVbDsTBxjMJ74yCMZ3/w480-h640/IMG-2091.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A beer for Jim and Stormalong cider for me<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eLRauP4CR5cL93_88GVt5XCj0RsOQ397UytnOr08zSVR3XsiO7KmKAmblviaCWD2pUFdaCoG8JNi_-i-SzPXZhOVXcjbvJ6GPgIUnfjMeB2VzbKQF-hHULi9GwYYTuTvuHfX__Dq-Qy-jHESIOuXvbBfCkQVOiGjLqZaAaTysF1mzyurDVGgiISjchMA/s4032/20230504_153402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eLRauP4CR5cL93_88GVt5XCj0RsOQ397UytnOr08zSVR3XsiO7KmKAmblviaCWD2pUFdaCoG8JNi_-i-SzPXZhOVXcjbvJ6GPgIUnfjMeB2VzbKQF-hHULi9GwYYTuTvuHfX__Dq-Qy-jHESIOuXvbBfCkQVOiGjLqZaAaTysF1mzyurDVGgiISjchMA/w480-h640/20230504_153402.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clam chowder and baked cod stuffed with lobster<br /> (we share dishes because food is expensive on the Cape)</div><br />Sated and hydrated, we strolled around Provincetown. Some businesses were not open on a cold weekday ahead of the season, but we enjoyed the colorful houses and murals.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOE8RqbgFIqRTli9j7Xm8NzyqbiRYU_oRkp_7z7hoj6R4ZvWtRjQ0bM69C4xGlOI_bw1NTq3vbe7oRU_vnqqbOPyFPNxRLifYV9_nqolLzKbmFF4Fwc60tSOPE7G0TxQUdBcVs-dJ3thtv0NGFXTlks_LweIH9gu28V4s0qltUPjBj5VUa5rxo8F-TBHs/s4032/20230504_162006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOE8RqbgFIqRTli9j7Xm8NzyqbiRYU_oRkp_7z7hoj6R4ZvWtRjQ0bM69C4xGlOI_bw1NTq3vbe7oRU_vnqqbOPyFPNxRLifYV9_nqolLzKbmFF4Fwc60tSOPE7G0TxQUdBcVs-dJ3thtv0NGFXTlks_LweIH9gu28V4s0qltUPjBj5VUa5rxo8F-TBHs/w480-h640/20230504_162006.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylU-aZ1wRT2Qq3VsTGKDGLlWMGVo9fkZvZGT80xQSuOhcW1PV1NBddWBHgyfnzBnm-m61M1ugMINEFW4v-PcORPZ2B1C3HlM4id50v_B8MFeDnIlk2J9mGL78GWGLNnuwRXAf7owOX8oLtybSInzQ2Lw8eIS8bQFPo42fE66JF4KgT85zdkGgms8KKbY6/s4032/20230504_162832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylU-aZ1wRT2Qq3VsTGKDGLlWMGVo9fkZvZGT80xQSuOhcW1PV1NBddWBHgyfnzBnm-m61M1ugMINEFW4v-PcORPZ2B1C3HlM4id50v_B8MFeDnIlk2J9mGL78GWGLNnuwRXAf7owOX8oLtybSInzQ2Lw8eIS8bQFPo42fE66JF4KgT85zdkGgms8KKbY6/w480-h640/20230504_162832.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY9T298YwGcpqJo7HeD30Q8fdjfRqWd-1VZRap_8p09xQcIH0x0O_BiMOmO84w3jLAFH9mgiwm7d5WNc5rlvZXR9EwP2epQMA0ZwiWww_N84rjHXW8A8AD0mltttjzo2waLYAe4K4EFy7j5KMg1HAbZiRFB0s8fnqOEH5DeEJ8PcPhYX_E3OkR2i98d35/s4032/20230504_162437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY9T298YwGcpqJo7HeD30Q8fdjfRqWd-1VZRap_8p09xQcIH0x0O_BiMOmO84w3jLAFH9mgiwm7d5WNc5rlvZXR9EwP2epQMA0ZwiWww_N84rjHXW8A8AD0mltttjzo2waLYAe4K4EFy7j5KMg1HAbZiRFB0s8fnqOEH5DeEJ8PcPhYX_E3OkR2i98d35/w480-h640/20230504_162437.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVfzkloxyPv888mo_CyMT0EqnOo2AcTm3GWUuuxuRcSxiFtVhKS4bY7xWZrUmH3kedwMTDH4yaNsJyfugmyJQOMGCNFoTG9H2fV4F2XycMmn719jb6rr9UWnBMUF2dfCiLHNTq_1jEejGutnfPU0GK6KkkIAY7CObsfQQGurktdvCaALKeusbiXi9_fga/s3772/20230504_163452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3772" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVfzkloxyPv888mo_CyMT0EqnOo2AcTm3GWUuuxuRcSxiFtVhKS4bY7xWZrUmH3kedwMTDH4yaNsJyfugmyJQOMGCNFoTG9H2fV4F2XycMmn719jb6rr9UWnBMUF2dfCiLHNTq_1jEejGutnfPU0GK6KkkIAY7CObsfQQGurktdvCaALKeusbiXi9_fga/w488-h640/20230504_163452.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><p>Wait! There’s one more lighthouse to see on the drive back to our lodgings: <a href="https://www.highlandlighthouse.org/ "><span style="color: red;">Highland Lighthouse</span></a> in Truro, MA</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOLy9kVi66U27gyNCpF1dwFP8aTqP0pNzC3PGFbPBUx9fQSouMdOac0UUc79k6K1XKe5hQKGOXbZRKC0ezbM60UOYqIoMoUhKQOLXS5BVymwhqPF1aNDs5N76NQaZUYlxrcZwtatyRvPG4KMuh-bWGPmulRazGH1A7DaX7kBaGHfAdtt5ERgVs0F-Ew25/s3517/20230504_180841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3517" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOLy9kVi66U27gyNCpF1dwFP8aTqP0pNzC3PGFbPBUx9fQSouMdOac0UUc79k6K1XKe5hQKGOXbZRKC0ezbM60UOYqIoMoUhKQOLXS5BVymwhqPF1aNDs5N76NQaZUYlxrcZwtatyRvPG4KMuh-bWGPmulRazGH1A7DaX7kBaGHfAdtt5ERgVs0F-Ew25/w640-h550/20230504_180841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Love is a lighthouse: it shines through darkest fears and helps you get where you want to be.” ~Janet Todd</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-77075057761889941792024-01-28T21:09:00.002-05:002024-01-28T21:09:56.713-05:00Dismal Swamp State Park & Merchants Millpond State Park<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Dismal Swamp State Park – 3/13/23 – 2.5 Miles<br /></b><b>Merchants Millpond State Park - 3/15/23 – 1.5 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSZuT593FTHSEcS47shQsh1F5u36uFk35QL5wlY5JjH7doI0YALtstUo1b1PJOBedswUtaMwiMmuj8shSBg1Y8UOJc3Q6JgzzYrjJ27P52wX4pNC4HVeNOb94DjhK9CAi2134T3OGdAQcKKBA-J-vveaK5C39zpgJiseyzPd8GKPiFSMFX5iAxxbCBGDi/s2592/20230313_135200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSZuT593FTHSEcS47shQsh1F5u36uFk35QL5wlY5JjH7doI0YALtstUo1b1PJOBedswUtaMwiMmuj8shSBg1Y8UOJc3Q6JgzzYrjJ27P52wX4pNC4HVeNOb94DjhK9CAi2134T3OGdAQcKKBA-J-vveaK5C39zpgJiseyzPd8GKPiFSMFX5iAxxbCBGDi/w480-h640/20230313_135200.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I’ve visited more than half of North Carolina’s state parks, mostly in the mountainous western regions. Now I’m checking out the others, learning about the Piedmont and the coast. You know I love a must-see list.<br /><br />I’ve made side trips to some parks en route to other destinations. However, exploring the far eastern gems meant deliberate planning over several days, so I combined a family event in Virginia with a trip to the northeastern NC counties. Mid-March is a sleepy time of year to visit this part of the state, but with an Airbnb home base in Edenton I enjoyed several days of discovery in two parks – natural beauty, history, and people.<br /><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPczqCgyUeQ3cL-znYTtIlN8vd2Lq6zE8a3DTUFLJ9n0egVxSwEmhipSYm4AHDot-f48jkzSFYmAEM-zoQas5u16fIOw82WgRBCq4L7EC0NRQkaac4ynEL3KEHQWseX5b-wsKFW_K26oQ8EyoXGpjM_YPylk0tL-1CZ-Vc68RIhg9W_vi1jU7tFju2lsj/s4032/20230313_145000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPczqCgyUeQ3cL-znYTtIlN8vd2Lq6zE8a3DTUFLJ9n0egVxSwEmhipSYm4AHDot-f48jkzSFYmAEM-zoQas5u16fIOw82WgRBCq4L7EC0NRQkaac4ynEL3KEHQWseX5b-wsKFW_K26oQ8EyoXGpjM_YPylk0tL-1CZ-Vc68RIhg9W_vi1jU7tFju2lsj/w480-h640/20230313_145000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><u>Dismal Swamp State Park</u></p><p>North Carolina's <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/dismal-swamp-state-park"><span style="color: red;">Dismal Swamp State Park</span></a> is a small part (14,000 acres) of the 113,000-acre Great Dismal Swamp that stretches across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The Great Dismal Swamp is the largest intact portion of a great swamp that once exceeded 1 million acres. <br /><br />The swamp’s natural history is described in many sources. Its human history as a refuge for escaped enslaved persons, known as maroons, was not taught when I was growing up in the 1960’s in a rural Virginia town barely 100 miles away. As an adult, I feel drawn to this history.<br /><br />The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center is on US Highway 17 North in South Mills, NC. <i>[It is not affiliated with the park itself.]</i> Visitors park there and walk across a swing bridge spanning the Dismal Swamp Canal. The bridge gives access to the state park’s Visitor Center and park trails, opening on a schedule for boats and paddlers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqtz7Ig3wDWxmSVWwwRgt3lm_LeFqXMtHRuYj2wFM9w3aYPBrT8bv_xHocm-uCrpSZ5CYiWNyfIeUYFJwYbFPNaoJJuyfQviIsuRgZqrEX215Z4w3vGU7N6jNTtXXZNfvsC96evH_apmADZMfc3YaLq829RDUWHY48WGlTIrNM-nq-ZO65HqZJbuuaBPp/s4032/20230313_130829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqtz7Ig3wDWxmSVWwwRgt3lm_LeFqXMtHRuYj2wFM9w3aYPBrT8bv_xHocm-uCrpSZ5CYiWNyfIeUYFJwYbFPNaoJJuyfQviIsuRgZqrEX215Z4w3vGU7N6jNTtXXZNfvsC96evH_apmADZMfc3YaLq829RDUWHY48WGlTIrNM-nq-ZO65HqZJbuuaBPp/w640-h480/20230313_130829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>The canal was created for inland trade between Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina’s Albemarle Sound. The Welcome Center website’s video calls it “the oldest manmade continuously operating waterway in the country,” which I feel is a poor euphemism for the fact that enslaved persons dug the canal in horrendous conditions over 12 years. Searching a bit deeper on the website produces a <a href="https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/history/"><span style="color: red;">more detailed history</span></a>. The idea that today the canal is used for paddling and pleasure boating doesn't sit right with me.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcKPmpUDAjNYsiSOP82IMvrjAOd0PUcjls_LJMGolTuxPTnR8aC8Ukbzq8htuFDyCwIbyD34QFZemFZo-kVIVBD7dE7yKAvD-m2GjWoy5ImCJB4McN1WdWkirrVhYgFKUAwZSZdSw0Dn2U4V91onku-Z07hPomi2XEcUzWQqhkc6nWkinoGEsTQirX2Qw/s4032/20230313_130615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcKPmpUDAjNYsiSOP82IMvrjAOd0PUcjls_LJMGolTuxPTnR8aC8Ukbzq8htuFDyCwIbyD34QFZemFZo-kVIVBD7dE7yKAvD-m2GjWoy5ImCJB4McN1WdWkirrVhYgFKUAwZSZdSw0Dn2U4V91onku-Z07hPomi2XEcUzWQqhkc6nWkinoGEsTQirX2Qw/w480-h640/20230313_130615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking north as I crossed the bridge</div><br />Under a brooding, overcast sky I walked the half-mile Swamp Boardwalk Trail. The temperature was too cold to notice any wildlife about – at least I didn’t see any, although I might have been seen. Having read about the maroons hiding/living in the swamps, I tried to imagine surviving here in any season, each with its discomforts (to say the least).<br /><br /><u style="font-style: italic;">Read more</u><i>: Dismal Freedom: A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp by J. Brent Morris</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn3XXYdVUkthN0fQF3DnKPkqdUsSAmjaUS9xLgsUUZ3luiI-al4yh4T6zutmpzDRNrE-nStXFzS9uh_MY03L6r80GLpRyG65cXQ2SQEVjwT7OOYulyuKRBbfDHow72EaaFhOCD5V_QFzIv1MIlp6i6QRvqu8N7ak-4TiOh-b_cfRBroBrhls69sgIfsOL/s4032/20230313_133721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn3XXYdVUkthN0fQF3DnKPkqdUsSAmjaUS9xLgsUUZ3luiI-al4yh4T6zutmpzDRNrE-nStXFzS9uh_MY03L6r80GLpRyG65cXQ2SQEVjwT7OOYulyuKRBbfDHow72EaaFhOCD5V_QFzIv1MIlp6i6QRvqu8N7ak-4TiOh-b_cfRBroBrhls69sgIfsOL/w480-h640/20230313_133721.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki86NT-fPk6-jrYD7QyljggJm4pS-p4jl9Rnh_zNczyp_PJhyphenhyphensVwM5TvkqOHsdQFW2UMEX14C2AvaBAJJAp92c_S1yDiVy0jzyjWEjHFmAZjQukQarVBizM01fz7t46ZF3eUNHcalU1jrQcdRdRhly1fPr9uN61OIoRBWjsMSF3fwUoH7JIBbDqb4hA5y/s4032/20230313_134436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki86NT-fPk6-jrYD7QyljggJm4pS-p4jl9Rnh_zNczyp_PJhyphenhyphensVwM5TvkqOHsdQFW2UMEX14C2AvaBAJJAp92c_S1yDiVy0jzyjWEjHFmAZjQukQarVBizM01fz7t46ZF3eUNHcalU1jrQcdRdRhly1fPr9uN61OIoRBWjsMSF3fwUoH7JIBbDqb4hA5y/w480-h640/20230313_134436.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cypress knees</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31-uBO2rSSVSzVsADTIjbVWSo-LHM7ANh218ZYwmRKqfI0YEgplnr_z9LnHkz-U8MZt16YR0Z-0QPW5UQ-kPgkZHRvQWU4fZMPsf22HsVt3tmOlnkyvld_8BbNCh6B8hEdQuyblNJqSPHvxiJdrzo694H91HEiYrmvZRc-QGTQxC-UTIOCTLHtxdhCT2j/s2592/20230313_134621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31-uBO2rSSVSzVsADTIjbVWSo-LHM7ANh218ZYwmRKqfI0YEgplnr_z9LnHkz-U8MZt16YR0Z-0QPW5UQ-kPgkZHRvQWU4fZMPsf22HsVt3tmOlnkyvld_8BbNCh6B8hEdQuyblNJqSPHvxiJdrzo694H91HEiYrmvZRc-QGTQxC-UTIOCTLHtxdhCT2j/w480-h640/20230313_134621.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Places to sit and watch for birds and other critters</div><br />Most of the other trails in the park are a grid configuration of old logging roads, which I didn’t have the time or inclination to walk on today. The Supple-Jack Trail was right up my alley, a meander through the swamp and a return to the start on Canal Road. <i>[Note: Supplejack is a native climbing vine.]</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKzfR50ZiqL9Rmi71FmbjJoU22ohd6FFFKYpnnqtQd5o6v09ndILYSBJYhqhz6SjbzBWjdZru1VVDlt0V8oef1n61I_AK8FcP0RCEC3IHz9cPDaPVJsD34WJfnFYOqPM5zCyA4U6ssfLvCC1b7Q70N_IzqOjMAmROuBMxfe-rqjTLImIvTJVp8maCYiP5/s4032/20230313_135556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKzfR50ZiqL9Rmi71FmbjJoU22ohd6FFFKYpnnqtQd5o6v09ndILYSBJYhqhz6SjbzBWjdZru1VVDlt0V8oef1n61I_AK8FcP0RCEC3IHz9cPDaPVJsD34WJfnFYOqPM5zCyA4U6ssfLvCC1b7Q70N_IzqOjMAmROuBMxfe-rqjTLImIvTJVp8maCYiP5/w480-h640/20230313_135556.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKXWB_J7eLLi8V1WSG2FH6Av6-LfP24Vpa84MMUAWiDy8moVVW9u9D2QYEwgdtYOLuH9A2dMwDDhQH0py-Dhh9CPUWh4YS2ajEagdg7oIN_8PpzNtviPRg51koTaI1eBdUdczHrBgf_QbA98QNoJ5CvIOjsvHhvhXiaBzd9EGhYs07IJxiLWe8ZwcLeUW/s4032/20230313_142322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKXWB_J7eLLi8V1WSG2FH6Av6-LfP24Vpa84MMUAWiDy8moVVW9u9D2QYEwgdtYOLuH9A2dMwDDhQH0py-Dhh9CPUWh4YS2ajEagdg7oIN_8PpzNtviPRg51koTaI1eBdUdczHrBgf_QbA98QNoJ5CvIOjsvHhvhXiaBzd9EGhYs07IJxiLWe8ZwcLeUW/w480-h640/20230313_142322.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0v5rC14HomM5nvWXmcJ6DyUI6tKJKIbtS6zWkJnQ1qbgeBorI3aIcyvjjqxDdQqD0KyBLi-Yqw-Dv4i5I09e8S1dNqAcujCbNEgHUWFwof-irDgrzuKLT2VZJkfOqufzfIvTIJGHGqrVkfz-vu4OVjlkCIYw4QnMIn2UHks9JHINpEGcFvZpbacYNXXy/s4032/20230313_135825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0v5rC14HomM5nvWXmcJ6DyUI6tKJKIbtS6zWkJnQ1qbgeBorI3aIcyvjjqxDdQqD0KyBLi-Yqw-Dv4i5I09e8S1dNqAcujCbNEgHUWFwof-irDgrzuKLT2VZJkfOqufzfIvTIJGHGqrVkfz-vu4OVjlkCIYw4QnMIn2UHks9JHINpEGcFvZpbacYNXXy/w480-h640/20230313_135825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzzVfea1Cdy2HcvipcGJ6SqWhg5l3ij9o5c12DbK2IyU3DID5-vh48vafzPmnIadAbBl0ruAV8xtJuRv5urkMIRtE30Mzz1hg9XKz7Y5zzuojJMr5vVIgHUDj2AOxiB6iQFqyXK4oIrERepR8mMrfhzZAes4eVK1BzApZ5KcYoSCF5kckZVX_AoV3STW2/s4032/20230313_143616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzzVfea1Cdy2HcvipcGJ6SqWhg5l3ij9o5c12DbK2IyU3DID5-vh48vafzPmnIadAbBl0ruAV8xtJuRv5urkMIRtE30Mzz1hg9XKz7Y5zzuojJMr5vVIgHUDj2AOxiB6iQFqyXK4oIrERepR8mMrfhzZAes4eVK1BzApZ5KcYoSCF5kckZVX_AoV3STW2/w640-h480/20230313_143616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KOI-zj1rDQkX_V-AHVqUmvueMHAfw8pEf2hMf95lhwYct0_p6ZzB2xbcAATr_BEDpsIR2M3wykWbQry2U3ecfucvlu3u7YsLS8jXrITfeJnmZR5U2duwgjGmncDwVCJBDBSa3_Oe_808DYqY9bNq9pfGonFNAk_s4-TbH2LYRmEjXrmzQ1w5OyZOz7q4/w640-h480/20230313_140950.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcyVus7nBClhoEdON-RrzmyxIUTLW7gf_D5SAdlW85smJ0XvZ3V-bBLtdGOFt8eAoFaDsJ3g4da-vfHGoNEihaty4EFm7cvqH9XWqwu2pmRB_kET77AKYUZojsRQJaeRYRBucw6qRfsYP/s4032/20230313_142850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcyVus7nBClhoEdON-RrzmyxIUTLW7gf_D5SAdlW85smJ0XvZ3V-bBLtdGOFt8eAoFaDsJ3g4da-vfHGoNEihaty4EFm7cvqH9XWqwu2pmRB_kET77AKYUZojsRQJaeRYRBucw6qRfsYP/w480-h640/20230313_142850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canal Road</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuaBwn2n01QCteA3ai1y5gmXomcFCN_ilQU3tGVEdSKLxOZ3uhjUXN8vAZ6PpJzNHbD_yFHCIb8ttPsTy0JAVIBEd2dDZhxJFansGZBFHHMTUul-837G1zfbmHRrtTRfEVyII4j0u3Qzc0pkStIdrgulgDBLezbZh3IpM-jt37y-WUu7hUJWEezJoWNA-/s4032/20230313_143351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuaBwn2n01QCteA3ai1y5gmXomcFCN_ilQU3tGVEdSKLxOZ3uhjUXN8vAZ6PpJzNHbD_yFHCIb8ttPsTy0JAVIBEd2dDZhxJFansGZBFHHMTUul-837G1zfbmHRrtTRfEVyII4j0u3Qzc0pkStIdrgulgDBLezbZh3IpM-jt37y-WUu7hUJWEezJoWNA-/w640-h480/20230313_143351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moonshine operations back in the day</div><div><br /></div>After my hike, I chatted with Melvin, who was operating the swing bridge today. Melvin retired recently and quickly became bored, so started working part-time at the park. When I told him I’m visiting all the NC state parks, his eyes sparkled. He said, “You know, I should do something like that. All the years I worked, I never traveled for fun.” I encouraged him to start with a short trip to one place and see how much he loves it. I enjoyed the conversation with this gregarious fellow and I hope he finds his way to get out there!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySBfqnoYaiGwD0Oz4WVNJZy_8ngdKIglwio9zdg5Bwsj7__MD71_ZZdsxDlIzwNJhV6j5roPtMOnRrjLsA0YbPjgaKj3zk0QxP9WWkqbaj5FCjrqfZEF1bXd9bbI-thp5BjcwhLUSSKB6m4b1A8REfUJK7tj6NB9cufJNDwFPwABZSE9LvUUUcAXl5c-v/s2294/20230313_145804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="1789" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySBfqnoYaiGwD0Oz4WVNJZy_8ngdKIglwio9zdg5Bwsj7__MD71_ZZdsxDlIzwNJhV6j5roPtMOnRrjLsA0YbPjgaKj3zk0QxP9WWkqbaj5FCjrqfZEF1bXd9bbI-thp5BjcwhLUSSKB6m4b1A8REfUJK7tj6NB9cufJNDwFPwABZSE9LvUUUcAXl5c-v/w500-h640/20230313_145804.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><u>Merchants Millpond State Park </u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvHxoopV9hGgDRVUaCLgnQypPjxhEqSVXm97-FdaBhCvOXTwSv0Kvsgj15nLu02JQGH8xg2K7j4D8qw3uxYoAMJk-AphbDrdrPeYIVzsNJav8JyZTc8sG4f7-87ha2U7UhcWb-eY7sFX1WgnUnH4rNlTbcM8r4S8vIhy8eSh-CbSHEK27-HKPbzgkOlZI/s3019/20230315_085103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3019" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvHxoopV9hGgDRVUaCLgnQypPjxhEqSVXm97-FdaBhCvOXTwSv0Kvsgj15nLu02JQGH8xg2K7j4D8qw3uxYoAMJk-AphbDrdrPeYIVzsNJav8JyZTc8sG4f7-87ha2U7UhcWb-eY7sFX1WgnUnH4rNlTbcM8r4S8vIhy8eSh-CbSHEK27-HKPbzgkOlZI/w640-h546/20230315_085103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The morning that I visited <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/merchants-millpond-state-park"><span style="color: red;">Merchants Millpond State Park</span></a> in Gatesville, NC, was windy and quite cold (34 degrees) but lit up by cheery blue skies. I was the lone car at the Visitor Center, where I got the general rundown of the area’s history from Kathy, also a part-time park employee like Melvin. <i>[More about Kathy’s back story below.]<br /><br /></i>Millponds are manmade damming of creeks to create power for mill operations back in the day. The millpond at the center of the park, originally called Norfleets Millpond, was built in 1811 – yes, over 200 years ago! According to the park’s brochure, “Gristmills, a sawmill, a farm supply store and other enterprises made the area the center of trade in Gates County. Thus, the pond became known as Merchants Millpond.”<br /><br />The park is small, a bit more than 3,500 acres encircling the millpond and part of Lassiter Swamp. It features a few trails and all kinds of camping, from car camping to backcountry to paddle-in campsites. Again my time was limited because of the long drive home ahead of me. I wanted to get close to the water, so I walked around the Cypress Point Trail loop and then a short distance on Bennetts Creek Trail. <br /><br />Magical stillness in the early morning light</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5ORAIwe-NhghsXZ-dwoBjPrDqmhjWi8qDsVNFzsZ7g5jIwzhxGfYQ6i4y2h_5t-37uh-ezHYgr9KFPqkLq4oT1pOEVJlB75YXs8r-ByMy5tWKbHSAfRbnEezrg1TtRFd4F1IOCT8VVwm6USOv4TC78nIZq1hOrBA2_DmBoZliWop6AjhdnLMO3MJcnbz/s4032/20230315_092523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5ORAIwe-NhghsXZ-dwoBjPrDqmhjWi8qDsVNFzsZ7g5jIwzhxGfYQ6i4y2h_5t-37uh-ezHYgr9KFPqkLq4oT1pOEVJlB75YXs8r-ByMy5tWKbHSAfRbnEezrg1TtRFd4F1IOCT8VVwm6USOv4TC78nIZq1hOrBA2_DmBoZliWop6AjhdnLMO3MJcnbz/w480-h640/20230315_092523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfWuR3afvy1OvAXzgtAamkbtWKIt_MJBc-vkEsMrclwymmSbbvo2aoF3TZXqLGFSjz-rgrMwmlsVWdNlIeCw3OfCbaVJgecpKs0Crsn-gmS8S3M4Q9OP0hyWN9-g330Vimy5ZArDRGDVKXx3w2nOcEsWWRf0_ohjWt1K_d7i66oW6E_4M3mOZgVflTdHd/s4032/20230315_092546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfWuR3afvy1OvAXzgtAamkbtWKIt_MJBc-vkEsMrclwymmSbbvo2aoF3TZXqLGFSjz-rgrMwmlsVWdNlIeCw3OfCbaVJgecpKs0Crsn-gmS8S3M4Q9OP0hyWN9-g330Vimy5ZArDRGDVKXx3w2nOcEsWWRf0_ohjWt1K_d7i66oW6E_4M3mOZgVflTdHd/w480-h640/20230315_092546.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaD71ZKKshGkmQxXvlU4AehFYoe4ZIthy6Azfzh2NhfSh295M9P2ieU9-xSPF1OEFngKzuQcQtBnAV6IPwAgZIsWJhal4JMLRC0Fyu7MLTg_U8CFeKC1kXt_QevCBKFtWbZsgn6seSzzIJepBTS3CvHMoTNoN-3MVp6EPsB-oJ2q1yUMIV30r8o4oUTih/s4032/20230315_093302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaD71ZKKshGkmQxXvlU4AehFYoe4ZIthy6Azfzh2NhfSh295M9P2ieU9-xSPF1OEFngKzuQcQtBnAV6IPwAgZIsWJhal4JMLRC0Fyu7MLTg_U8CFeKC1kXt_QevCBKFtWbZsgn6seSzzIJepBTS3CvHMoTNoN-3MVp6EPsB-oJ2q1yUMIV30r8o4oUTih/w480-h640/20230315_093302.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8wAKWnoflL5-5SMhW9OTIlh_fIr9ek-4kqLgFSJx9rTanh37NDP-iZ-djxBb3s3S2tkkDeIAeJxe09CcknowEiWrROvzmd1HTkrmq2bYgr4i5eFoip5OAZu_tTqLwupUaLT5VA0I0UDWEEw-H792I_9Vq4K-Xphw_mU7JH7zoQmh3pTenbfTiWj_S3BU/s4032/20230315_093323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8wAKWnoflL5-5SMhW9OTIlh_fIr9ek-4kqLgFSJx9rTanh37NDP-iZ-djxBb3s3S2tkkDeIAeJxe09CcknowEiWrROvzmd1HTkrmq2bYgr4i5eFoip5OAZu_tTqLwupUaLT5VA0I0UDWEEw-H792I_9Vq4K-Xphw_mU7JH7zoQmh3pTenbfTiWj_S3BU/w640-h480/20230315_093323.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfU6uFavlFRcjzaCZV4kL3F8VXKu3hQB3jjscXCmboRuDkz8oWM4BN3AFFTt_aOy-JJqtWGyGFQ5em_zW0McgpGBZl8slx3r3AmsSjJoTHF_CkAhjTekLCUVN83z0MuZoPkCyf68Yu63uQo64V6Ruv4yBKf_Le_m6yO2gSpUvQTd1KzncQMTdfu2bTvfz/s4032/20230315_094612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfU6uFavlFRcjzaCZV4kL3F8VXKu3hQB3jjscXCmboRuDkz8oWM4BN3AFFTt_aOy-JJqtWGyGFQ5em_zW0McgpGBZl8slx3r3AmsSjJoTHF_CkAhjTekLCUVN83z0MuZoPkCyf68Yu63uQo64V6Ruv4yBKf_Le_m6yO2gSpUvQTd1KzncQMTdfu2bTvfz/w480-h640/20230315_094612.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spillway at the road crossing</div><p>No critters in sight here, either. I'll have to return in warmer weather to check out the American alligators, turtles, frogs and snakes (oh my!)<br /><br />Kathy’s back story: When she was thinking of college, she sought a guidance counselor’s advice for careers in the outdoors because she liked hiking and nature. The female counselor discouraged her, saying that it was a lonely career for a woman, she might be posted in remote locations, the outdoors was dangerous with animals, etc. So Kathy didn’t follow that dream. She recently moved to the Gates County area and saw that MMSP was hiring, and she’s very happy working in a field that she’s always loved. </p><p><i>News flash: Outdoors and public lands careers feature women at every level (including our current U.S. Secretary of the Interior). I hope that guidance counselors everywhere are encouraging girls to follow that “outside voice!”</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUDU-7-yINN54GLkDt0JwRe4QTJc4r3qkPWwlzJOv9u7lknNl_nn9mKB_O4iSOUwjY4-JEKXY_5g51Hq-kL_pPI2aDwTcmpPxBNVnoRs_85U8zFmcLFn1wxnxV5Sp4AgRhZL3o78pxYbOJqqLYWGtLsjG9zoQKLoco8uynKJR1FWZaEXxMLX1AgDcNj-b/s4032/20230315_094238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUDU-7-yINN54GLkDt0JwRe4QTJc4r3qkPWwlzJOv9u7lknNl_nn9mKB_O4iSOUwjY4-JEKXY_5g51Hq-kL_pPI2aDwTcmpPxBNVnoRs_85U8zFmcLFn1wxnxV5Sp4AgRhZL3o78pxYbOJqqLYWGtLsjG9zoQKLoco8uynKJR1FWZaEXxMLX1AgDcNj-b/w640-h480/20230315_094238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Natural beauty, history, and people – treasures in<br />North Carolina State Parks.”<br /> ~Sharon McCarthy</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-61366835727332685292024-01-11T17:03:00.004-05:002024-01-11T17:03:32.462-05:00Hanging Rock State Park: Indian Creek Trail & Riverbluffs Trail<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Hanging Rock State Park: Indian Creek Trail & Riverbluffs Trail – 2/24/23 – 9.3 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hZC5E_e-zMGID-_k5gVvRpMJ31gyMIUXgQkk2g3BExo3OX_2xj2VJuK521a1v9h5g7inVfANSu-QyCh63vGJXpGE2iUHaVLYxusdxCplEzcacZk4zuV1q-QUKrVkHY64XxULFfCijgzuI-OeWwTDdMs0xaJ67r6UGKV2M9nlqUiLAn8TDW6K_FpxWljp/s3206/20230224_133344.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3206" data-original-width="2410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hZC5E_e-zMGID-_k5gVvRpMJ31gyMIUXgQkk2g3BExo3OX_2xj2VJuK521a1v9h5g7inVfANSu-QyCh63vGJXpGE2iUHaVLYxusdxCplEzcacZk4zuV1q-QUKrVkHY64XxULFfCijgzuI-OeWwTDdMs0xaJ67r6UGKV2M9nlqUiLAn8TDW6K_FpxWljp/w482-h640/20230224_133344.1.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><p>My <a href="https://backpackingroutes.com/centennial-trail/ "><span style="color: red;">Centennial Trail</span></a> thru-hike is a tad more than 3 months away. Most of my training outings are on familiar trails that I don’t blog about. Jim offered to hike with me today, so we explored some new-to-me trails in <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hanging-rock-state-park "><span style="color: red;">Hanging Rock State Park</span></a>.<br /><br />A blue-sky day in February, pleasant hiking weather in the NC mountains, starting out with long pants and sleeves and ending in shorts. I carried my usual daypack with some extra weight. Soon I’ll start carrying my new Gossamer Gear backpack.<br /><br />Starting at the Dan River boat access parking at the “bottom” of the mountain, we headed up Indian Creek Trail (<i>I wonder if they will rename that one day?</i>)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD7gu9arYMDlJCyZOLzV3wekz9Daceo5vPgEO7kUg3Hjaa3kwFuAwZmabacZlOqFe9Bjqt_Ntp86MH5gl9KBsWWNnZqPtFej8t9-hoMotKDmLHzLux2ftWpEggvGAOt7OlDGR29pld1k2gTl2ZqudIV0y_RBa_-ka-2EqizZZLxJEsCy-1P4TyM96hShG/s4032/20230224_092741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFD7gu9arYMDlJCyZOLzV3wekz9Daceo5vPgEO7kUg3Hjaa3kwFuAwZmabacZlOqFe9Bjqt_Ntp86MH5gl9KBsWWNnZqPtFej8t9-hoMotKDmLHzLux2ftWpEggvGAOt7OlDGR29pld1k2gTl2ZqudIV0y_RBa_-ka-2EqizZZLxJEsCy-1P4TyM96hShG/w640-h480/20230224_092741.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canoe/kayak launch at Dan River</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjp1GvFVG1_CdNIC_OaQSmWBfvzLI5swn4mcz8yYnMZSBmentfXlZkQKvtXSjYaro8UWmxxWWKXK9yTrHWqQxGgFPpZ_urtJI8DjO4d9EouXbN7t7a9U7C4PqlGmg8348RSBzYf5dXq2twiCyP4hrSpKImr3ap2w4RyqjBwPMWsPKKNSryl_dx4IQTuMZ/s4032/20230224_093102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjp1GvFVG1_CdNIC_OaQSmWBfvzLI5swn4mcz8yYnMZSBmentfXlZkQKvtXSjYaro8UWmxxWWKXK9yTrHWqQxGgFPpZ_urtJI8DjO4d9EouXbN7t7a9U7C4PqlGmg8348RSBzYf5dXq2twiCyP4hrSpKImr3ap2w4RyqjBwPMWsPKKNSryl_dx4IQTuMZ/w480-h640/20230224_093102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGoIpwP3xv8Ui4ewZ1SaVBh8qzJZz0L3vtGDCie4QodYjkXvAuog2Y_1_xOnJdP6-FhHsYVXAHEMTAU_CL2erQahl-W7D4IbHclVwOm5Q-Yk5_dET4jaqyiV2WlSQgf7ecMbBm7IRkVWbnG1JNHpNCYSCy7PZi0uMHOWZkiJY5bvL2MTA6Bpb6jOhPyRJ/s4032/20230224_093714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGoIpwP3xv8Ui4ewZ1SaVBh8qzJZz0L3vtGDCie4QodYjkXvAuog2Y_1_xOnJdP6-FhHsYVXAHEMTAU_CL2erQahl-W7D4IbHclVwOm5Q-Yk5_dET4jaqyiV2WlSQgf7ecMbBm7IRkVWbnG1JNHpNCYSCy7PZi0uMHOWZkiJY5bvL2MTA6Bpb6jOhPyRJ/w480-h640/20230224_093714.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD2ONQ_bkVkYldkrZGxNtOExLqr4DPft3Ce0zthLxDO-M43vPUkaLcD1qvjkmooVe33Y3qfJSLAzSDn04ZsNy81h_8xUIOysjMR9kOWg7zlSOEZWduKGc9YmeMWNBg4dU3x0brWpbjFh7b4KkQBiFcEmB8ORmrUYr6tTaNvTbaj5c1v27ARNEbG1BLVBY/s4032/20230224_094948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD2ONQ_bkVkYldkrZGxNtOExLqr4DPft3Ce0zthLxDO-M43vPUkaLcD1qvjkmooVe33Y3qfJSLAzSDn04ZsNy81h_8xUIOysjMR9kOWg7zlSOEZWduKGc9YmeMWNBg4dU3x0brWpbjFh7b4KkQBiFcEmB8ORmrUYr6tTaNvTbaj5c1v27ARNEbG1BLVBY/w480-h640/20230224_094948.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcC5esPhoM4Ar8xUeIlYUemqLU6LY0I-Js6a24RloY080SW_qXfYT3n5wbCFWi9_Wu6wyK4wjo12fyFNc_46AF3lSiR-a-HshSbFPuv5OuGs5Gc_qQiEW5NbOJjkc-I3gFWCSP7p00zlvpqUQJlrYa8m3dytDXKrmU7WLUcYgJqz5N88eWwxb3rihcPao/s4032/20230224_101949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcC5esPhoM4Ar8xUeIlYUemqLU6LY0I-Js6a24RloY080SW_qXfYT3n5wbCFWi9_Wu6wyK4wjo12fyFNc_46AF3lSiR-a-HshSbFPuv5OuGs5Gc_qQiEW5NbOJjkc-I3gFWCSP7p00zlvpqUQJlrYa8m3dytDXKrmU7WLUcYgJqz5N88eWwxb3rihcPao/w480-h640/20230224_101949.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boy Scouts? Parks and Rec? Random people?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssXE_xH7K361JujJR_hMsiFlQdObB1pVay_mfZ8QT_WvejtIdx-NMZPPmX31cNEzVrsXGaTv9HPnFfj9PpwdI60KFRC9PWXJEDEGjZFYHPKxkL7XkLCUtrlchy8TGEjQlqyJofp0estISGD6Mqm6BBVfXvE-S7rZF91Rkp3xZEk567rp48DJxoC5ic2L5/s4032/20230224_104622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssXE_xH7K361JujJR_hMsiFlQdObB1pVay_mfZ8QT_WvejtIdx-NMZPPmX31cNEzVrsXGaTv9HPnFfj9PpwdI60KFRC9PWXJEDEGjZFYHPKxkL7XkLCUtrlchy8TGEjQlqyJofp0estISGD6Mqm6BBVfXvE-S7rZF91Rkp3xZEk567rp48DJxoC5ic2L5/w480-h640/20230224_104622.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Like the trail’s name implies, we encountered a lot of creek crossings. I suspect they are usually unremarkable rock hops, but there’s been a significant amount of rain lately. Let’s count ‘em up: 4 wet crossings plus 5 dry rock hop crossings adds up to 9 going up…plus 9 coming back down…that means 18 crossings that got our attention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e7ROXQxJ1Hq1yM5AVU-9LoGuE1rASlQ7VHfBEJPZ4-pYFEzOTQS_BMTwFy1mFmCMWh9vdS15xueWzt_8j55iD7hHrod-iX3PoDKGpbgPr4EaByjjDFnU8a_E1sNMr0wuBgT7DrRP3fIDiElyovwlQBHDZ_v4L7mF3Rnh0rPMlJpQCAB8lRdGaFf3z0lP/s4032/20230224_130831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e7ROXQxJ1Hq1yM5AVU-9LoGuE1rASlQ7VHfBEJPZ4-pYFEzOTQS_BMTwFy1mFmCMWh9vdS15xueWzt_8j55iD7hHrod-iX3PoDKGpbgPr4EaByjjDFnU8a_E1sNMr0wuBgT7DrRP3fIDiElyovwlQBHDZ_v4L7mF3Rnh0rPMlJpQCAB8lRdGaFf3z0lP/w480-h640/20230224_130831.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Jim was able to keep his boots from being completely submerged, but I had no chance of staying dry wearing my little Altra Timps. It was a nice day, though, and wet feet didn’t hinder me. Just happy to be outside!<br /><br />The trail turned away from the creek and began climbing. A partially collapsed wooden building appeared near the crossing of Hanging Rock Road. Growing up in rural southern Virginia where my uncles raised tobacco, I recognized this old tobacco barn. Nostalgic even as hindsight gives a clearer picture of a complex time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7EX_QdDJwli_21H555Hy3BQ_ajB7EwtAnfPY5fnVHIycOmyKVwB0xfxS0yjnPD8lL2V5v-_e1_m2QWfg3eS5X4sSJdreLAcx2w3pVDwrW-jiFEv4ENk-Y4qwRiu7IY8X_u6qkQoMxnDBndKzGdjPBsZmkRO6YjrXqQu1_yzKd4-MUG-uLHwkjmsnYaf_/s4032/20230224_102619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7EX_QdDJwli_21H555Hy3BQ_ajB7EwtAnfPY5fnVHIycOmyKVwB0xfxS0yjnPD8lL2V5v-_e1_m2QWfg3eS5X4sSJdreLAcx2w3pVDwrW-jiFEv4ENk-Y4qwRiu7IY8X_u6qkQoMxnDBndKzGdjPBsZmkRO6YjrXqQu1_yzKd4-MUG-uLHwkjmsnYaf_/w640-h480/20230224_102619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4alflDRoybS25ZoSa9bYPeDIQI-VELtfA6GHqB2mSL1YPbjyx-OlpKXsK_d1zGSzAQheH90e0oVl1XDV8k2vcgyZgdk-GTNg3ub80q2joj4UKxRQUtlOdWofPx5h6_m9cCRsxFCXoq46gEqjaKafRt7pCNGpzYEuTk_wRYwpgyxbUET8SwWt6wj1qVG8/s4032/20230224_103137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4alflDRoybS25ZoSa9bYPeDIQI-VELtfA6GHqB2mSL1YPbjyx-OlpKXsK_d1zGSzAQheH90e0oVl1XDV8k2vcgyZgdk-GTNg3ub80q2joj4UKxRQUtlOdWofPx5h6_m9cCRsxFCXoq46gEqjaKafRt7pCNGpzYEuTk_wRYwpgyxbUET8SwWt6wj1qVG8/w480-h640/20230224_103137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>After the road crossing, my old friend the Mountains-To-Sea Trail joined Indian Creek Trail and the climb got steeper. Because I was trying to keep Jim’s pace, my calves were feeling the burn. The creek appeared again on the left and stayed with us.<br /><br />Most visitors start from the Visitor Center parking and descend to Hidden Falls and Window Falls, then turn around and head back up. Approaching from the bottom, we reached Window Falls first. The “window” is a hole in the rock wall near the main drop, which we didn’t try to get close to today. The trail was now noticeably eroded, despite the infrastructure built to try to keep people on the path. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKKJPUpRbu9uadAlkfeaiNyd_CsoiNdxlGDxCHe4LJnxgnWtU7dcfNBiHARSmPdn_Nv4Zntmxg5yqzObTqaTNJP2Zj1aOTwCA_Bp8W8m543lJ8x3jBxWMHT1gtQ_tF1mjbR7bg2ODrfugdAGwNuQj0wF_vszxPop0tazCPZpDTUVrdVuEfLKQE_PUAnzP/s4032/20230224_110346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKKJPUpRbu9uadAlkfeaiNyd_CsoiNdxlGDxCHe4LJnxgnWtU7dcfNBiHARSmPdn_Nv4Zntmxg5yqzObTqaTNJP2Zj1aOTwCA_Bp8W8m543lJ8x3jBxWMHT1gtQ_tF1mjbR7bg2ODrfugdAGwNuQj0wF_vszxPop0tazCPZpDTUVrdVuEfLKQE_PUAnzP/w480-h640/20230224_110346.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Window Falls (sans window)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTu0IiC-wWQFY9vpk-Hs4iGKxC5Iz-UDbxq1lSnwgcS80ZoXiN05TSZKT5a_d_Io821y3eu5QeeMLq8IxD11HhIyV0eHaT0LHvwrr_G31H3be7TD7MZXwsSG-9G5SN2AZx3-W5iq_vjylbjjzSP26jKuMkmgfDfmFrvb-jsc7PTik7D_5UoH7RNtFeCVU/s4032/20230224_110650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTu0IiC-wWQFY9vpk-Hs4iGKxC5Iz-UDbxq1lSnwgcS80ZoXiN05TSZKT5a_d_Io821y3eu5QeeMLq8IxD11HhIyV0eHaT0LHvwrr_G31H3be7TD7MZXwsSG-9G5SN2AZx3-W5iq_vjylbjjzSP26jKuMkmgfDfmFrvb-jsc7PTik7D_5UoH7RNtFeCVU/w480-h640/20230224_110650.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Approaching Hidden Falls, we spotted a large group of folks, including little kids climbing all over the rocks, so we kept moving to the picnic area for a lunch break. It’s all fun and games until the crowds move in; then it’s time to skedaddle.<br /><br />Never underestimate the return part of an out-and-back hike. Retracing our steps going down Indian Creek Trail, I commented to Jim how the day was warm but I hadn’t seen any spring flowers. Then lo and behold, I saw a trout lily! Then I saw dozens, then thousands, all along the banks of the creek … wow! I am sure they were not there when we hiked up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGgyDG-If8WWSJfL48n2wKOgXhm9LyQPSkB2L_D_-w7Ln4ahyphenhyphenMnq7F9Y4I7mHGbL5O5xeUC3UAprbWTxAa2zyFT4_edkHGNitWGqJo4BQU50M7mvPev8EzEZWVHNJJ7XX1trDZUnRy2It_7OqGbMAI04J04ujKzdpf24_THkbDGUafYFPyIK-w1kTKi3t/s4032/20230224_122326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGgyDG-If8WWSJfL48n2wKOgXhm9LyQPSkB2L_D_-w7Ln4ahyphenhyphenMnq7F9Y4I7mHGbL5O5xeUC3UAprbWTxAa2zyFT4_edkHGNitWGqJo4BQU50M7mvPev8EzEZWVHNJJ7XX1trDZUnRy2It_7OqGbMAI04J04ujKzdpf24_THkbDGUafYFPyIK-w1kTKi3t/w640-h480/20230224_122326.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0ZNuzAEZVyGUQl8SdppRXE0kqRduVGIqBLRrOzNTNDJxuoDx9DrEcjC_-i5lYSVmvs1BGrdXnu7C1Nkqo22jcHkft2RrgQnmnQ9At_ZNCr3p61M-JyQmFnemznIxyyncqWtq9ZW8Bz5Vec_9aCEcq6u08IdGT661D5yjxuYJAF0E3_gsMy9flox3ZJZy/s2580/20230224_122808.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="2167" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0ZNuzAEZVyGUQl8SdppRXE0kqRduVGIqBLRrOzNTNDJxuoDx9DrEcjC_-i5lYSVmvs1BGrdXnu7C1Nkqo22jcHkft2RrgQnmnQ9At_ZNCr3p61M-JyQmFnemznIxyyncqWtq9ZW8Bz5Vec_9aCEcq6u08IdGT661D5yjxuYJAF0E3_gsMy9flox3ZJZy/w538-h640/20230224_122808.1.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We crossed the paved road again and took another look at the old barn</div><p>Beyond the building, we noticed rusty barrels lying in the woods. Tromping around in the vegetation uncovered more “artifacts,” possibly an old homesite connected with the barn? But we were very close to the park boundary lines and could see occupied houses – maybe this was just an old dump. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MmdsfdkgbO-tu3WwEcRvlSMA_h4nZBZdJBNAIppPv2Q2lQr1gLgRNrfQUgMNX6jH6n6-rKYky8ymN0-ADOYcrQolKEOQysWkfD2VBr4lzPwxcl7peSmAItva7_EAdFrSZMoMifIPD9RgpjHGBHFUA7woKCz3X1YzPbPOTnQ39Zb3lUlhLOdN24LyDVhX/s4032/20230224_123455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MmdsfdkgbO-tu3WwEcRvlSMA_h4nZBZdJBNAIppPv2Q2lQr1gLgRNrfQUgMNX6jH6n6-rKYky8ymN0-ADOYcrQolKEOQysWkfD2VBr4lzPwxcl7peSmAItva7_EAdFrSZMoMifIPD9RgpjHGBHFUA7woKCz3X1YzPbPOTnQ39Zb3lUlhLOdN24LyDVhX/w480-h640/20230224_123455.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Back close to the Dan River parking area with time for a little more exploring, we turned onto the Riverbluffs Loop, a flat little 1.3-mile trail that passes along the banks of Dan River. The rock bluffs on the far side of the river were impressive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBMWlIzf8om937-R5FKJsdabQ2p3eY2Av3NLjrlEFtOXWGON2uzlUG1HR7oCUYbjCPUtWOz_6WiI1UmWudzHRC3Nh4e3MgjYuirJAJIqbOJb1MNfHN10-OeIZfgBwvvn4y0aZfFy2CRB_qNjCXCAPg6h7UFB-STyi_tiMiwWJ-SU7_rbnUbUEKxxFo_Tx/s4032/20230224_135432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBMWlIzf8om937-R5FKJsdabQ2p3eY2Av3NLjrlEFtOXWGON2uzlUG1HR7oCUYbjCPUtWOz_6WiI1UmWudzHRC3Nh4e3MgjYuirJAJIqbOJb1MNfHN10-OeIZfgBwvvn4y0aZfFy2CRB_qNjCXCAPg6h7UFB-STyi_tiMiwWJ-SU7_rbnUbUEKxxFo_Tx/w640-h480/20230224_135432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9ybaD3upBncmgzxw7W2Z4g6aJ1rWwgEAjyHhHIjoMpl4gkqyo81PUGlJVqevsdpybv4mCMz0ePSU13uOl6BwEZ7D1Y6AbW5cdTBvZEolvAG33Ud5jbyyAWNmqflIUKY4uuNi4S1KN0kW5PDzfL9ojTQ2aE032u4GUwTqpkPiicxFo39z2wZQHD1gx6g0/s4032/20230224_132605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9ybaD3upBncmgzxw7W2Z4g6aJ1rWwgEAjyHhHIjoMpl4gkqyo81PUGlJVqevsdpybv4mCMz0ePSU13uOl6BwEZ7D1Y6AbW5cdTBvZEolvAG33Ud5jbyyAWNmqflIUKY4uuNi4S1KN0kW5PDzfL9ojTQ2aE032u4GUwTqpkPiicxFo39z2wZQHD1gx6g0/w640-h480/20230224_132605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMnqYwJc4-S5QEjcFRaI4FTd4zzwVb4rYHD9sNoauwjCgtc46j5s-gfYAOk4kEZsbOCxWZn83C4ctMcAbU8RfzdU6_N3XBtVFo1QnJUipgNBCuFgsFTC8hPQ2EzI0yJBMRfk-9cZez19aIGMZRxIAuny2DJXysSPL9dabym_jjn23TaffmcLR3_EvT-gI/s4032/20230224_133245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMnqYwJc4-S5QEjcFRaI4FTd4zzwVb4rYHD9sNoauwjCgtc46j5s-gfYAOk4kEZsbOCxWZn83C4ctMcAbU8RfzdU6_N3XBtVFo1QnJUipgNBCuFgsFTC8hPQ2EzI0yJBMRfk-9cZez19aIGMZRxIAuny2DJXysSPL9dabym_jjn23TaffmcLR3_EvT-gI/w480-h640/20230224_133245.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>A few dozen yards off to one side of the trail, I caught a glimpse of yellow and realized it was a spread of daffodils, which usually signifies an old homesite. We walked up the slope and found the remnants of a rock chimney. Who once owned this property with a fine view of the river and its rocky bluffs?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfvzaI16qm7FNOUCgEkakc_Pa6mufkFMuPkTvEYMK6Vl27ruugjkQYHxJwdUL_xrV5_ObOx69zjs-OmcsVi5xX-K0kq0PLpZ5Ge-o4VwPIBv2H-xjfzEWww0qXhq0nBJD_A8kujF_HhrM1-L21JANyvYSRoKjLl76QFPMEZRR38IM3COehpTqceFkl6DD/s4032/20230224_134754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfvzaI16qm7FNOUCgEkakc_Pa6mufkFMuPkTvEYMK6Vl27ruugjkQYHxJwdUL_xrV5_ObOx69zjs-OmcsVi5xX-K0kq0PLpZ5Ge-o4VwPIBv2H-xjfzEWww0qXhq0nBJD_A8kujF_HhrM1-L21JANyvYSRoKjLl76QFPMEZRR38IM3COehpTqceFkl6DD/w480-h640/20230224_134754.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">For more info and photos of the Riverbluffs Trail, a nice writeup is <a href="https://www.piedmonttrails.org/riverbluffs-trail-at-hanging-rock-state-park/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p>We completed our hike earlier than expected and wanted a bite to eat before the long drive home. Nothing better than the town of Welcome, NC inviting us to have a seat at Jimmy’s Barbecue. Their motto: “I can smell a pig from a mile away!”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWvNlCE4GbksXj5fEtetVv9JAC1IST3o0MouJtpJjXUxW1GviXB6Lz47n5UFM-1IZKnkLxAlg-p_J7XTgOl74QTDibKcuDbm-yTu8VEqHyiKK3st-zkZLtBvjjsl3DDnokLT3GlImuDE0evLF2JDHbYGkBN9ZV7_TpoAnQi4aKUtrZSbfFyexo-qgEzEJ/s4032/20230224_154151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWvNlCE4GbksXj5fEtetVv9JAC1IST3o0MouJtpJjXUxW1GviXB6Lz47n5UFM-1IZKnkLxAlg-p_J7XTgOl74QTDibKcuDbm-yTu8VEqHyiKK3st-zkZLtBvjjsl3DDnokLT3GlImuDE0evLF2JDHbYGkBN9ZV7_TpoAnQi4aKUtrZSbfFyexo-qgEzEJ/w480-h640/20230224_154151.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3xKth9JcfeGCkNl3WD0gMw0KowwWH-YEMHsKPStGFT0mtaywslcgaG1MsZh6dFWAM8bcuXusMZYM2Us4e0_puxFNnasVjrsIhcM-k4mq9ZGmS5zakmilj3yoRHHvmn-CZuhDO8DkKOjxfo7T02Pw66UR9V2cQbSA_OPRDP3mR655yIXVGCqXVF6o39IR/s1048/20230224_160813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1048" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3xKth9JcfeGCkNl3WD0gMw0KowwWH-YEMHsKPStGFT0mtaywslcgaG1MsZh6dFWAM8bcuXusMZYM2Us4e0_puxFNnasVjrsIhcM-k4mq9ZGmS5zakmilj3yoRHHvmn-CZuhDO8DkKOjxfo7T02Pw66UR9V2cQbSA_OPRDP3mR655yIXVGCqXVF6o39IR/w640-h544/20230224_160813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“For how many years did I wander slowly</span></i></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i> through the forest. What wonder and glory<br /> I would have missed had I ever been in a hurry!”<br /> ~Mary Oliver</i></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-79810023813030441872024-01-02T16:42:00.000-05:002024-01-02T16:42:04.930-05:00Green Knob Trail: Black Mountain Campground to Green Knob Lookout Tower<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Green Knob Trail: Black Mountain Campground to Green Knob Lookout Tower</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1/30/23 – 6 miles</b></div></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqMHZ5u2iVa4yz_Z41uqkVQZlkX94ONkyrh7kNfD5FGcA2VIU7fvbyyOMObLkRq8zt9tX5Z4qDDL7qbGoTg7we-dhkB-x31ebnZbH8WtsBHlfrU3NqgaLolUbPvyl6iEuXTUTSz2RTZJsbodsDvtuVv1WjuGOk5GKpHLH-wU4xXqlbmBB4oBmUS1GNSx9/s4032/20230130_122756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqMHZ5u2iVa4yz_Z41uqkVQZlkX94ONkyrh7kNfD5FGcA2VIU7fvbyyOMObLkRq8zt9tX5Z4qDDL7qbGoTg7we-dhkB-x31ebnZbH8WtsBHlfrU3NqgaLolUbPvyl6iEuXTUTSz2RTZJsbodsDvtuVv1WjuGOk5GKpHLH-wU4xXqlbmBB4oBmUS1GNSx9/w480-h640/20230130_122756.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>When my mother passed away at age 72, a wise friend told me there would be a time each year that she would be on my mind and it might not be when I would expect it. Truth: while Mother’s Day and her birthday bring a tinge of remembrance, it’s the anniversary of her passing that carries significance for me. It has become a tradition to take the last few days of January to retreat alone and reflect, look back and look forward. <br /><br />This year I stayed in a cabin on the South Toe River in North Carolina, equipped with coffee, my journals, and my yoga mat. On my way to the cabin I took a walk in the mountains.<br /><br />Green Knob Lookout Tower, 5 miles north of Mount Mitchell on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC, was built in 1931 as a live-in tower. It was occupied until the late 1970’s, rehabbed in 1996, and restored in 2013.<br /><br />On a clear day back <a href="“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~John Muir"><span style="color: red;">in 2010 I hiked to Green Knob</span></a> as part of Carolina Mountain Club’s <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/25/page/Lookout-Tower-Challenge-(LTC)"><span style="color: red;">Lookout Tower Challenge</span></a>. The route I took then was a one-mile round trip accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I didn’t see anyone that day and I walked on the tower’s catwalk (not accessible since the 2013 restoration).<br /><br />Today I tackled the big climb to the tower from the South Toe Trailhead, where many trailheads converge at a large parking area at the entrance to Black Mountain Campground. The Mountain Mitchell Trail and the Mountains-To-Sea Trail pass through here. No restroom facilities, though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueRfx8X5z3hywEHtZ6ezK9kunMbTfw0JrZwDkm3XYBN0B4MDAtpFCmAHP1iodhgSb8wiFrcQFpMEV4Ao85JZnMz6u0jQFdT4qsB-wqUUTfs7m1agx6auKhd_wyzUDzB-h7Ih0K251wAjN9P_uFyfYNvI6qlqSihUSyKV3q0do1-7Z8qEHPFhM-AmwAqkn/s4032/20230130_102130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueRfx8X5z3hywEHtZ6ezK9kunMbTfw0JrZwDkm3XYBN0B4MDAtpFCmAHP1iodhgSb8wiFrcQFpMEV4Ao85JZnMz6u0jQFdT4qsB-wqUUTfs7m1agx6auKhd_wyzUDzB-h7Ih0K251wAjN9P_uFyfYNvI6qlqSihUSyKV3q0do1-7Z8qEHPFhM-AmwAqkn/w480-h640/20230130_102130.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Start out on Green Knob/River Loop/Mountains-to-Sea Trails running together. <i>[Note: this section of the MST didn’t exist when Danny and I hiked it, we took the road for a couple of miles.]</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxD0CNrKCyKbbBJU6ByZHYLcQ_BTAVf0HDBWGXBDyPeJUpOr6AMS_k_wTUAWiqyTgsN1QlOqUupOuaXCaKOwoUOPObQWD2Ohig7OUM-leBwh_U0feLPA3fKFG1Ms7AudUGsZhVhyphenhyphenWUpQIk6kfbZ_m7_QElLi866T6Vy3fDsf3ailf7TZveK_9zTdiUWFP/s3553/20230130_102339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3553" data-original-width="2381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxD0CNrKCyKbbBJU6ByZHYLcQ_BTAVf0HDBWGXBDyPeJUpOr6AMS_k_wTUAWiqyTgsN1QlOqUupOuaXCaKOwoUOPObQWD2Ohig7OUM-leBwh_U0feLPA3fKFG1Ms7AudUGsZhVhyphenhyphenWUpQIk6kfbZ_m7_QElLi866T6Vy3fDsf3ailf7TZveK_9zTdiUWFP/w428-h640/20230130_102339.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p>Trail signage and blazes were better than I expected. Within the first half-mile the two trails turn off and the rest of the way was just the long haul following the white diamond blazes up Green Knob Trail. I referred to my GAIA app for distance but didn’t need it for navigation.<br /><br />Not far from the trailhead I noticed a man off-trail in the woods to the left, carrying a blue tarp. He didn’t acknowledge seeing me, although he couldn’t have missed my orange shirt. Stay tuned.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu-iplyo8dG7YqSDTsHqBsIqZX6ZvZSG0F37ELGAUzhS8fh-MoLRe3OcHEAdJez2r8Imh47Zy_enJiphyvHT82cjKsjKzyKGCiGIQzQbeoib0AmcDgal62FvJpD6r9h0anj-yh4RGbB4Te51ramHtZRQF-A7m-CDdncYsVQEkrVW5r7RJpMR-82T5zO-a/s4032/20230130_104446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu-iplyo8dG7YqSDTsHqBsIqZX6ZvZSG0F37ELGAUzhS8fh-MoLRe3OcHEAdJez2r8Imh47Zy_enJiphyvHT82cjKsjKzyKGCiGIQzQbeoib0AmcDgal62FvJpD6r9h0anj-yh4RGbB4Te51ramHtZRQF-A7m-CDdncYsVQEkrVW5r7RJpMR-82T5zO-a/w480-h640/20230130_104446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAQrKvoSqNgSXGy83mqWVH851gp0gkKyrQoJ8Lngt-iNZA33kQpp_mJIH22LV9GKpsi68ioGNrarEs5NOUQgoJDSxzmGXDsa7tec7b1_Imfo2wSHKqJV8wJ3byOQW9GpqYtwakRtdC0RBUMDvaQgnDAdrlIbmv3ZVN_Dr9RQ4IGO_QcyMNh6lhMXOnwAJ/s4032/20230130_111529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAQrKvoSqNgSXGy83mqWVH851gp0gkKyrQoJ8Lngt-iNZA33kQpp_mJIH22LV9GKpsi68ioGNrarEs5NOUQgoJDSxzmGXDsa7tec7b1_Imfo2wSHKqJV8wJ3byOQW9GpqYtwakRtdC0RBUMDvaQgnDAdrlIbmv3ZVN_Dr9RQ4IGO_QcyMNh6lhMXOnwAJ/w480-h640/20230130_111529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Whew! As the trail follows Lost Cove Ridge, the grade is moderately steep, flat for 50 yards, then very steep – repeat, repeat, repeat. I love the winter forest, tangles of high bare branches making room to exist together and allowing views of neighboring slopes. Dead of winter, no flowers, gray sky, stillness, no breeze at all. That description sounds unappealing to some, but I find beauty in the winter woods, glimpses of birds, the pick-up-stix placement of fallen trees and upended root balls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hY8J4UAecMWNZRuR-OxfspvZifECgM_ACfc4Ypdx1eALuDeNpiq7l1pJbmlckpUeAogqiXEYijBWKtpNKZhzy6x9MbCTgwFoCM__My2ugPAjSr40jx2iWfR9LyW8u1EwyAPvbhC8iNdc6s0HJvz3oOVJRpTtzAulfKscAx-3_m2MSv0Q0PVfVeY4aNy/s4032/20230130_111704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hY8J4UAecMWNZRuR-OxfspvZifECgM_ACfc4Ypdx1eALuDeNpiq7l1pJbmlckpUeAogqiXEYijBWKtpNKZhzy6x9MbCTgwFoCM__My2ugPAjSr40jx2iWfR9LyW8u1EwyAPvbhC8iNdc6s0HJvz3oOVJRpTtzAulfKscAx-3_m2MSv0Q0PVfVeY4aNy/w640-h480/20230130_111704.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvBKSJqkaHiqlmkBbWtpkoCICVt_2ij8Go0hosgaOOs0aYz33Fc3Ajm3OV8OzNvYxzNb7z5F-H9H5z16uVCLFa8UUW2eVF6uzGZsCysXHtmqxiyj_9iBp_aYsUMdsWdUp3ZDxbBokYgo5JqL8Tq-V2E1ur5c8R0mdocsfmq_mZea2B0yjvsfchkKaDT15/s4032/20230130_112456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvBKSJqkaHiqlmkBbWtpkoCICVt_2ij8Go0hosgaOOs0aYz33Fc3Ajm3OV8OzNvYxzNb7z5F-H9H5z16uVCLFa8UUW2eVF6uzGZsCysXHtmqxiyj_9iBp_aYsUMdsWdUp3ZDxbBokYgo5JqL8Tq-V2E1ur5c8R0mdocsfmq_mZea2B0yjvsfchkKaDT15/w480-h640/20230130_112456.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who was here?</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAHIotzZS0hUaKLs-RCRv7_XM6opB6rlCROmZidjjArleHy8Gx9z9WaV7j090e36-6ik0L8O_6XLM5oMVjNNAGpauJDB-ALrhkBFEgN-z0RmfeLZl3_cGnfdQqQWFXMA9aiykWiG8A9hfnxQXsY2Wyp6QxmSgYdxdKz8M_spZvOI0wN7R3aQ2v6rlRb8N/s4032/20230130_140312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAHIotzZS0hUaKLs-RCRv7_XM6opB6rlCROmZidjjArleHy8Gx9z9WaV7j090e36-6ik0L8O_6XLM5oMVjNNAGpauJDB-ALrhkBFEgN-z0RmfeLZl3_cGnfdQqQWFXMA9aiykWiG8A9hfnxQXsY2Wyp6QxmSgYdxdKz8M_spZvOI0wN7R3aQ2v6rlRb8N/w480-h640/20230130_140312.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Twisted tree trunk</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKdKPNWxKpV2-I1WXBWQdEEQzAGrLJmgsgeH_TW9oWVkLSLpfUhJlL-rlmc4YU8tQroWc08FP_5zfNbONuwW1MLmJ0zLa3xflMJ-3MyBPJ2mpcXVgJ3vR8icLxUaBSz6em32bsNlcrluDqTJSzHo41uRAj8VCIc6ItMu1UoCQSQdQ9tleJ1u9BJybNGZk/s4032/20230130_114207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKdKPNWxKpV2-I1WXBWQdEEQzAGrLJmgsgeH_TW9oWVkLSLpfUhJlL-rlmc4YU8tQroWc08FP_5zfNbONuwW1MLmJ0zLa3xflMJ-3MyBPJ2mpcXVgJ3vR8icLxUaBSz6em32bsNlcrluDqTJSzHo41uRAj8VCIc6ItMu1UoCQSQdQ9tleJ1u9BJybNGZk/w480-h640/20230130_114207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Duck!</div><br />I let my breathing dictate my pace, sometimes counting steps and then resting while I checked my position on GAIA. As I slowly plodded upward, I worried about how I would get back down those slopes without falling – a little bit of mud and a lot of wet leaves. My legs grew tired, emphasizing a lack of training.<br /><br /><i>Did I mention that I’m planning to hike the Centennial Trail in South Dakota in June? Training!<br /><br /></i>A little sprinkle almost gave me a reason to turn around – I don’t want to get drenched out here all alone – but it fizzled to nothing and I kept going, fighting the inclination to quit because it’s hard. Isn’t that a life lesson that we are continually learning?<br /><br />The ridge narrowed for the last push, tall trees gone, now scraggly mountain laurel, vegetation changed to galax leaves in profusion. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c8pe1OOXBECSUOpMSPmB64IhN_ptM63m90ZQJ3D7_dL0iL7wpeEexsfE97ZrB1Gx7ifP_uPdJMY0rKpL6yVZ8qwZglgeL8t6uLzfvIChtSGjr_jPkaiW8IyAZ2yqtvwb4ziBQZrWg9PT3GDsm9ccNmn41lXpX14efUYw0DgqVa5dx_wqpcybsuC7thDK/s4032/20230130_122050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c8pe1OOXBECSUOpMSPmB64IhN_ptM63m90ZQJ3D7_dL0iL7wpeEexsfE97ZrB1Gx7ifP_uPdJMY0rKpL6yVZ8qwZglgeL8t6uLzfvIChtSGjr_jPkaiW8IyAZ2yqtvwb4ziBQZrWg9PT3GDsm9ccNmn41lXpX14efUYw0DgqVa5dx_wqpcybsuC7thDK/w480-h640/20230130_122050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>There were more rocks, small boulders, a couple of places where I had to choose footholds carefully. The higher the trail rose, the slower I went. For those of you who calculate such things, this 3-mile hike gains about 1,000 feet in the first 2 miles, then 1,000 feet more in the final mile.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyxfz3bN1wy0c8pkSEn0z08IMVWLujpS_xTk01Af98KhU3Z-oevC_-VLwfIFOLS_IzpgSyPr1ImPeNx44AH_yRrnX2Se6GAhIMyEAQHhTznjofv7OquWrO2o8pq0Kcyst8B3KdWPnaw043pRpZ6xHtrPE_uGiYZ7wwsjimk6Zwjw-EDnUOKRJI37Q1ppZ/s4032/20230130_120521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyxfz3bN1wy0c8pkSEn0z08IMVWLujpS_xTk01Af98KhU3Z-oevC_-VLwfIFOLS_IzpgSyPr1ImPeNx44AH_yRrnX2Se6GAhIMyEAQHhTznjofv7OquWrO2o8pq0Kcyst8B3KdWPnaw043pRpZ6xHtrPE_uGiYZ7wwsjimk6Zwjw-EDnUOKRJI37Q1ppZ/w640-h480/20230130_120521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Black Mountains</div><br />Close to the base of the lookout tower, a trail came in on the left. This is the unmarked trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway that I hiked up over a dozen years ago. Or was it just yesterday? <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8KLwQ9xAvOovo5EKyP8dbpUGIEgbS5H-sGkqab-BtsLMsoj6yI-obW6oMvyZxyp0irbkAe8dp65lptS24YvidiZsokwOxvKvs9Eptx4kGtI3mK5-he61dzKUCnTlA2zcGLD5Els71a0y1E3BIU6QStaz6HDIZgX2BGfowmKYjVp8mXdXMbcH2v6DHNG2/s4032/20230130_122655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8KLwQ9xAvOovo5EKyP8dbpUGIEgbS5H-sGkqab-BtsLMsoj6yI-obW6oMvyZxyp0irbkAe8dp65lptS24YvidiZsokwOxvKvs9Eptx4kGtI3mK5-he61dzKUCnTlA2zcGLD5Els71a0y1E3BIU6QStaz6HDIZgX2BGfowmKYjVp8mXdXMbcH2v6DHNG2/w480-h640/20230130_122655.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green Knob Lookout Tower (elevation 5,090 feet)</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn7943sMWto2jbmOY7-Cg115MfsSOeoTEe_hy47SziVEpAdD2rD9TseRkl5GwUVssJsLLED_J_0NPChYIGMmTAFPCOaUQtJVY_h6_PPZefg4B0K-rMiDTDfSpCGmnAP9ga2_CxLjhcD3dtTXbu5FnCZKV93YJQAE4tGRJBtozhqmts3YNaEd9kFhwwOAZ/s4032/20230130_122950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn7943sMWto2jbmOY7-Cg115MfsSOeoTEe_hy47SziVEpAdD2rD9TseRkl5GwUVssJsLLED_J_0NPChYIGMmTAFPCOaUQtJVY_h6_PPZefg4B0K-rMiDTDfSpCGmnAP9ga2_CxLjhcD3dtTXbu5FnCZKV93YJQAE4tGRJBtozhqmts3YNaEd9kFhwwOAZ/w640-h480/20230130_122950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the steps of the lookout tower, the Black Mountain Crest is shrouded in clouds<br /> as blue sky breaks out above</div><br />I ate my lunch sitting at the base of the tower with the intermittent sun on my back. The temperature today ranged from 45 to 55, paired with overcast skies, perfect hiking weather.<br /><br />The hike back – is this the same route? Now that I was not looking at my footing and laboring for breath, I soaked in my surroundings and enjoyed the quiet stillness, the color of decaying wet leaves and lichen.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar0CcSjM5IxVRQ1rFiDdojZt3L_te_Ydlv79iKuydgkOD2qxoGItnyxnNPb8ymiILWdf71erYlv6QTI7rMZZeXW31sJ88lgj9uvfdtqWRqHKf81i3JSqkrTDEBjEx2Wd_Cz8sZ4xE-qS8ya0erHzj22v4i-OtCvaGg5Tj8BimZ1YTYgCEvqWokcYyE0f7/s4032/20230130_135357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar0CcSjM5IxVRQ1rFiDdojZt3L_te_Ydlv79iKuydgkOD2qxoGItnyxnNPb8ymiILWdf71erYlv6QTI7rMZZeXW31sJ88lgj9uvfdtqWRqHKf81i3JSqkrTDEBjEx2Wd_Cz8sZ4xE-qS8ya0erHzj22v4i-OtCvaGg5Tj8BimZ1YTYgCEvqWokcYyE0f7/w640-h480/20230130_135357.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBES1p8rZXeokss2Xv7NDJOCPjj6i7l0eValInAgczkdKE-A_GfqO-m-tl89Fk9lVFb4xHQ9PdimU9f5AtLf1oil_DbE_O3mJrW37VF3z2ARfrzfdUaWMwZIBdioX6G9cR8RPa711030WXhW0g6r_s7OC540Pr5MioJFPy4d-vu6TyyGYUNrZLegUPXWW/s4032/20230130_124740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBES1p8rZXeokss2Xv7NDJOCPjj6i7l0eValInAgczkdKE-A_GfqO-m-tl89Fk9lVFb4xHQ9PdimU9f5AtLf1oil_DbE_O3mJrW37VF3z2ARfrzfdUaWMwZIBdioX6G9cR8RPa711030WXhW0g6r_s7OC540Pr5MioJFPy4d-vu6TyyGYUNrZLegUPXWW/w640-h480/20230130_124740.jpg" width="640" /></a>View from Lost Cove Overlook </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrdM4umSunTzIFUBzhrXCfLwxzNuTgmWVIagLBvxQMMfxvvuxUIEhPHcI7uTnsDXF_Q629cuLCsRBnWpObWg7QY7D6_29shMfs7QmtiM39CdU5o9k1liITUxmx_EIRwwVNhJ9BjleNPLXvQMXzNbz5UVkQ4ofD95miG7dwmyx6nnLm5d0pQuGxID0sYTs/s2592/20230130_132151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrdM4umSunTzIFUBzhrXCfLwxzNuTgmWVIagLBvxQMMfxvvuxUIEhPHcI7uTnsDXF_Q629cuLCsRBnWpObWg7QY7D6_29shMfs7QmtiM39CdU5o9k1liITUxmx_EIRwwVNhJ9BjleNPLXvQMXzNbz5UVkQ4ofD95miG7dwmyx6nnLm5d0pQuGxID0sYTs/w480-h640/20230130_132151.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And…do I remember navigating this blowdown on the way up?</div><br />The return hike took 1.5 hours, side-hilling carefully on the precarious downhills with numerous “oopsies” when I’d slip a short ways. Feeling the decreasing range of motion of this aging body, I descended boulders carefully, sitting down and lowering myself rather than hyper-extending my knees. Of course some movements are more limited as I age, but that doesn’t limit my brain. I remind myself, “Just be more careful and you’ll get there.”<br /><br />Near the trailhead again I saw the same man in the woods, and on the trail was a big pile of twigs tied into bundles. Around the bend, another fellow walked up and said hi, very friendly, hastily explaining that they were harvesting birch whips, which they have a permit to do every year to sell in bundles to florists. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZtjUAZ-D3KLXf-dgokMUySoDDOSHHNMSsLDy6Yjiy0vXf3tkZkVccc0TcHmaMT_wKydMxLpj037wu0Y098bnOvoer9wWTCRH-h_FhzNllXXUiyS7RkFZ8ttSW-plhEFcpIfGb3tChS9-y8nmW9ZytjWWTXaQhz4jjGjSB81Aem_xgxInXiuQt_nKfVO6/s4032/20230130_142302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZtjUAZ-D3KLXf-dgokMUySoDDOSHHNMSsLDy6Yjiy0vXf3tkZkVccc0TcHmaMT_wKydMxLpj037wu0Y098bnOvoer9wWTCRH-h_FhzNllXXUiyS7RkFZ8ttSW-plhEFcpIfGb3tChS9-y8nmW9ZytjWWTXaQhz4jjGjSB81Aem_xgxInXiuQt_nKfVO6/w480-h640/20230130_142302.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>My personality of crossing things off lists, tallying miles, making “progress” and relishing a sense of accomplishment is a paradox to my feelings at the end of the hike: breathing the cold air, working my body, I felt both depleted and renewed, an indescribable feeling of connection and just being.<br /><br />Retreat time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoV3YwTrs3OLqyj45d7hU5C8EamN5mzcXHf8EyDTiDgqfRpmb9Ab5aj8mJ5nQHSnMRMFmvmMeuyVCLzwGzqk_Zcx_g5jA6zT7bvU588FAPx7Uurlj3jxP0zLViNoSTjvItK2RoLQIKq0EgnO3gz7moYDdQRQAZzXo-ujpwv6DAk2-9qMs-PHdyf2_Sv3O/s408/istockphoto-1325209158-612x612.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="395" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoV3YwTrs3OLqyj45d7hU5C8EamN5mzcXHf8EyDTiDgqfRpmb9Ab5aj8mJ5nQHSnMRMFmvmMeuyVCLzwGzqk_Zcx_g5jA6zT7bvU588FAPx7Uurlj3jxP0zLViNoSTjvItK2RoLQIKq0EgnO3gz7moYDdQRQAZzXo-ujpwv6DAk2-9qMs-PHdyf2_Sv3O/w620-h640/istockphoto-1325209158-612x612.jpeg" width="620" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“And into the forest I go,<br /> to lose my mind and find my soul.”<br /> ~John Muir</i></span></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-70958072353512561092023-11-18T16:16:00.002-05:002023-11-18T16:16:16.470-05:00Paris Mountain State Park: New Year's Day 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Paris Mountain State Park: New Year’s Day Hike - 1/1/23 – 8.5 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsOsLX5tFhv5RbxIp7pemuxLp8C1WcXm89YEIHZHsRVg3UROmDx3bX6fVImW-awNbEy1n49sELpc_33o-OiylY1rLdeP5BuFKPflmoRpiKSSjdhhe9mXwcWvknh15kGjOOAwaULbx_ESLyGLID_2PJyKA-UrulzY_3-gsd1TcRdiS93Lg-g6JiLk2-XhR/s3197/20230101_091035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="2980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsOsLX5tFhv5RbxIp7pemuxLp8C1WcXm89YEIHZHsRVg3UROmDx3bX6fVImW-awNbEy1n49sELpc_33o-OiylY1rLdeP5BuFKPflmoRpiKSSjdhhe9mXwcWvknh15kGjOOAwaULbx_ESLyGLID_2PJyKA-UrulzY_3-gsd1TcRdiS93Lg-g6JiLk2-XhR/w596-h640/20230101_091035.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><p>“First Day Hikes” at state parks on New Year’s Day are a tradition that has taken hold across the U.S. January 1 can be a day of resolutions, reflections, regrets and/or resets, and for me it’s another good reason to get out in nature. If you don’t know where to go or who to go with, check the website of any state park for First Day guided hikes. Grab your coat and a water bottle and go on a hike (and maybe jump in the lake too)!<br /><br />Hiking on New Year’s Day isn’t confined to groups, guides and state parks, of course. The important thing is getting outside. This year Jim and I crossed the border into South Carolina to visit new-to-us <a href="https://southcarolinaparks.com/paris-mountain"><span style="color: red;">Paris Mountain State Park</span></a>. <i>[Note: if you’re going, remember to bring your wallet, especially if you’re used to NC’s free state parks. SC’s parks charge admission fees.]<br /><br /></i>Paris Mountain SP was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s as part of the New Deal Program by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and several buildings are still in use. There are several lakes and a campsite area to enjoy. Read more<a href="https://southcarolinaparks.com/paris-mountain/history-and-interpretation#jump"><span style="color: red;"> here</span></a> about the park’s history, education programs, and tours and look <a href="https://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/scprt/ydttjvppu6/PM-Trail%20Map3-9-2012.pdf?u=sgt8lu"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> for a map of trails in the park.<br /><br /><i>A big ol’ shout-out to SC’s amazingly informative and user-friendly state parks websites. NC should take lessons! Or maybe that’s what an admission fee helps pay for…<br /><br /></i>On my GAIA GPS app, I worked out a loop hike with options for shortening or lengthening the route as time permitted. We skipped the Visitor Center (note to check it out on our next visit) and went straight to the Sulphur Springs Trail parking area.<br /><br />The morning was damp with a wispy fog drifting through the dense forest. The white rectangle blaze looked familiar (but the Appalachian Trail doesn’t pass through SC). Sulphur Springs Trail crosses Mountain Creek several times on footbridges.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRoRd8AfoJppRhI5W6oe-p0O2X_teKEmR9vzkw_KcUgLbZWHj_WIFu-41c3bv1XXSv1jLBBjDB5c9AXEGDzGi0_vWUF0GpLlypIo3YAJ0OL5XfDri_pkVJi2aXs9FRgxsASDUtIrddpjhk6Hp8t2ioOh2nO3AA79SrFH1_fVrgWgg-hJVstQSNWs2E6jm/s4032/20230101_095159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRoRd8AfoJppRhI5W6oe-p0O2X_teKEmR9vzkw_KcUgLbZWHj_WIFu-41c3bv1XXSv1jLBBjDB5c9AXEGDzGi0_vWUF0GpLlypIo3YAJ0OL5XfDri_pkVJi2aXs9FRgxsASDUtIrddpjhk6Hp8t2ioOh2nO3AA79SrFH1_fVrgWgg-hJVstQSNWs2E6jm/w480-h640/20230101_095159.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Upstream is the pump house and dam at Mountain Lake – more than 125 years old<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7VXM5vac9c4LPPvOXcdFsPU7gZTN9FoDihVmUI9_0PsNDrMjAn6-ug_GlfUDBLRFkdbATA47D39o8M3hBZd-1SqxgL7alDn70rWgzU107clmG-9GfpsNQe9dORRABHdW6QmeMSqM6R03MK7vYoBjLDBJ7D4tLnC9Kp8PVdq0dQdfGJf9MKHm2TezWyEt/s4032/20230101_095225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7VXM5vac9c4LPPvOXcdFsPU7gZTN9FoDihVmUI9_0PsNDrMjAn6-ug_GlfUDBLRFkdbATA47D39o8M3hBZd-1SqxgL7alDn70rWgzU107clmG-9GfpsNQe9dORRABHdW6QmeMSqM6R03MK7vYoBjLDBJ7D4tLnC9Kp8PVdq0dQdfGJf9MKHm2TezWyEt/w480-h640/20230101_095225.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF5scrFCUEtGZPOuLwnPSoGe2_ecfFNB-ytIiFixuzngWKK9DVro_ZD4SitGvDtxrRh6x36Vr5BB_mKweOvm-0c5UFP51UqNpfKWQgwgVsrcNlc7eMywKW4x24XQt1fyl4ClSrYyi0aCKvcaVKmxI_lZ8kY5phFhZM9TBi6pR69-OrCRORRmbEYzNhg8U/s4032/20230101_095446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF5scrFCUEtGZPOuLwnPSoGe2_ecfFNB-ytIiFixuzngWKK9DVro_ZD4SitGvDtxrRh6x36Vr5BB_mKweOvm-0c5UFP51UqNpfKWQgwgVsrcNlc7eMywKW4x24XQt1fyl4ClSrYyi0aCKvcaVKmxI_lZ8kY5phFhZM9TBi6pR69-OrCRORRmbEYzNhg8U/w640-h480/20230101_095446.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYOjwXsDPBpVLKZoG8NcWhWFOKROKPsWlvTobWgxqhigWjlx0RAKMA-Woexa4jlhB_SbJJTYDHLsnawdfPq1adG_xEtZDVJ5QZJi1xWZe5ay_iT0pZ2-7Jn35MKOxNvhovqHy2xImhaMidZluOUuy0S0yxEpP9SpjhZysena6sR6XNSp_TCS2EKl4fZL8/s4032/20230101_095612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYOjwXsDPBpVLKZoG8NcWhWFOKROKPsWlvTobWgxqhigWjlx0RAKMA-Woexa4jlhB_SbJJTYDHLsnawdfPq1adG_xEtZDVJ5QZJi1xWZe5ay_iT0pZ2-7Jn35MKOxNvhovqHy2xImhaMidZluOUuy0S0yxEpP9SpjhZysena6sR6XNSp_TCS2EKl4fZL8/w480-h640/20230101_095612.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />Fog hanging heavy over the lake, making an eerily beautiful reflection</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFbhabVGpjzriVcdS3q-n34cy96ZO4ZHlG4Cqa65aNLqkaFcLMEdUSgsJjip-JUEpAimUeIJwtem1I2aNjoDcT748t91uOyrgcyCSOTdv418d8E0456lrZuw25I7pFhVP7RLD-E35g17b8y3nn-gDPqYizMy79aWV5ymE0vWEaF_fcJBP616MXJoDgx7B/s4032/20230101_100035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFbhabVGpjzriVcdS3q-n34cy96ZO4ZHlG4Cqa65aNLqkaFcLMEdUSgsJjip-JUEpAimUeIJwtem1I2aNjoDcT748t91uOyrgcyCSOTdv418d8E0456lrZuw25I7pFhVP7RLD-E35g17b8y3nn-gDPqYizMy79aWV5ymE0vWEaF_fcJBP616MXJoDgx7B/w480-h640/20230101_100035.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Past the lake, we started climbing, crossing Mountain Creek a few more times. No more bridges. What is the criteria for a bridge versus no bridge? Seems like the further away from the parking lot, the more likely a hiker is to encounter unbridged crossings.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwslqJnGX04D4RkxMr8eom9AcG5gpcG0RmlHlj8mgcBlZpXXSyspxncvd3K4XWsd8964Pplbi4DILJVALPHkqAhNzdAGa3G1mIq6tMgqJSU5iLNNhEKYU2qXKHK1ErjkXMuzdX7WjztfRpI5kV5jUBFNpZdYEIbyILt7OkDFNERwEbsE3nwfBrAIw2YWCw/s4032/20230101_102030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwslqJnGX04D4RkxMr8eom9AcG5gpcG0RmlHlj8mgcBlZpXXSyspxncvd3K4XWsd8964Pplbi4DILJVALPHkqAhNzdAGa3G1mIq6tMgqJSU5iLNNhEKYU2qXKHK1ErjkXMuzdX7WjztfRpI5kV5jUBFNpZdYEIbyILt7OkDFNERwEbsE3nwfBrAIw2YWCw/w480-h640/20230101_102030.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trail steps alongside an unnamed water slide on Mountain Creek</div><br />At about 1.75 miles, we turned left from Sulphur Springs Trail onto Firetower Trail and hiked about .3 miles out to the site of a former fire tower (of course). We saw remnants of a residence, a partial chimney and a bit of stone foundation. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrrPig9txpHM16WjsRtB4Idk2SwVlyQ-kfvM5_1KXQzfUskQQU8gy9taOzw_UYbWV8tX3uEcAqSHfrl8MjfzM0193iScAbDbFG-99WrTLtg8jq1RmL7LXUmgAOVGxXtuoqF-oXUNx0dcMY8sYBDfRmrkuCnq4dci_6N2OGYStwRf2EE4Jyk2ZeBMXszcC/s2592/20230101_104053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrrPig9txpHM16WjsRtB4Idk2SwVlyQ-kfvM5_1KXQzfUskQQU8gy9taOzw_UYbWV8tX3uEcAqSHfrl8MjfzM0193iScAbDbFG-99WrTLtg8jq1RmL7LXUmgAOVGxXtuoqF-oXUNx0dcMY8sYBDfRmrkuCnq4dci_6N2OGYStwRf2EE4Jyk2ZeBMXszcC/w480-h640/20230101_104053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Beyond this were ground level stone slabs, all that remains of the tower. This is the high point of the park, but no views other than the backyards of homes very close through the trees. <br /><br />An unmaintained but obvious trail closely paralleled Firetower Trail, and we followed it to where it intersected Kanuga Trail. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJZzc9W6oTeBEgujuBfAgihvF2BCznw5f6sxGs4BJg6V3TYBTCaApWN5SjV3_u7AIHcyQX9lT1CvvbrR_wt-49Nd_5l491z3gOiuRJ05luDQXQjJodPeow3xLAMbCQiilCVj05FC2vZpJxBbLGBHqXiABveYnAiwW1a9KG__avxWqsxYxYW5_gBjdqIS_/s4032/20230101_105917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJZzc9W6oTeBEgujuBfAgihvF2BCznw5f6sxGs4BJg6V3TYBTCaApWN5SjV3_u7AIHcyQX9lT1CvvbrR_wt-49Nd_5l491z3gOiuRJ05luDQXQjJodPeow3xLAMbCQiilCVj05FC2vZpJxBbLGBHqXiABveYnAiwW1a9KG__avxWqsxYxYW5_gBjdqIS_/w480-h640/20230101_105917.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFTgdL_AO66ms-3aJ9lTrSOX5ArXAfqN9yvqO1npVSLuxqrRtpb9WQKVwErYEfwhMBn5hKvZACsRrmyjEXhS41iPfl7g7cgsuzhb6W3x8k0BtXzZzNUYtttMNKBTl3G6PJjDudUx_g49-muYy-7AZFNcck3fZJMBd7zH37tbBB-8PnzYYDNQVBJkiF4KC/s4032/20230101_111223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFTgdL_AO66ms-3aJ9lTrSOX5ArXAfqN9yvqO1npVSLuxqrRtpb9WQKVwErYEfwhMBn5hKvZACsRrmyjEXhS41iPfl7g7cgsuzhb6W3x8k0BtXzZzNUYtttMNKBTl3G6PJjDudUx_g49-muYy-7AZFNcck3fZJMBd7zH37tbBB-8PnzYYDNQVBJkiF4KC/w480-h640/20230101_111223.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIMmX2eHVGCmxMqVHHLltQFdXeQgROAxI4qRGw2kHzIT0k_wRevwfYxXFnqePuEs3HoMTM2_T5VIKZm-5eVoLOmqEVaNBUwzmOTp0M-e2WKtJMqzXsyF65Bhsm_Qg2QSSn3CgKS1prAPQfP49gmUPBpJ09Rm8Jrg5KZaj_0fP8Z5Y2C9HuW_32Fa3J5t/s4032/20230101_111739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIMmX2eHVGCmxMqVHHLltQFdXeQgROAxI4qRGw2kHzIT0k_wRevwfYxXFnqePuEs3HoMTM2_T5VIKZm-5eVoLOmqEVaNBUwzmOTp0M-e2WKtJMqzXsyF65Bhsm_Qg2QSSn3CgKS1prAPQfP49gmUPBpJ09Rm8Jrg5KZaj_0fP8Z5Y2C9HuW_32Fa3J5t/w640-h480/20230101_111739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We followed Kanuga Trail to North Lake Trail. Do we have enough time to walk around the outer edge of the lake? Glad we did! We saw primitive campsites scattered amongst the trees. The light and leaves were lovely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJZ2Ol9oZO5BIiL7RaFER6SRNFm6QT3GP-S_Yy-39F6dB453CWCjIOBkRyzS9JPP_aJc1NwcOGeZOjXdVx-VbYjbjnMD_7QQu_QZ2gy70Rl9e-ta0CteoAkBzs5QvaX_lMA8akuzGzAmqTQ9bBXRIfM_r_LtnigOc_wgv9oMc5O8cSZ3AlBni7se1Ur8n/s4032/20230101_112941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJZ2Ol9oZO5BIiL7RaFER6SRNFm6QT3GP-S_Yy-39F6dB453CWCjIOBkRyzS9JPP_aJc1NwcOGeZOjXdVx-VbYjbjnMD_7QQu_QZ2gy70Rl9e-ta0CteoAkBzs5QvaX_lMA8akuzGzAmqTQ9bBXRIfM_r_LtnigOc_wgv9oMc5O8cSZ3AlBni7se1Ur8n/w480-h640/20230101_112941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoD9uB7A7M0Yzx9GGxGUlkJZvzXqHtQ_jngxN7dApu8FEnSPUVZIOdn__YTB5Pjob-9VkEI32b0la9fpqCr_oDfHVM-ZgzkEmqGKX58N8zk0B7sc1LHPR3zlAMvd-ozFR2g1IAhSlDxuqKWtqOPLMNp586EY37xnAr4SDe9gRPEWdy7hs34xr_CNNcnSz/s4032/20230101_114330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoD9uB7A7M0Yzx9GGxGUlkJZvzXqHtQ_jngxN7dApu8FEnSPUVZIOdn__YTB5Pjob-9VkEI32b0la9fpqCr_oDfHVM-ZgzkEmqGKX58N8zk0B7sc1LHPR3zlAMvd-ozFR2g1IAhSlDxuqKWtqOPLMNp586EY37xnAr4SDe9gRPEWdy7hs34xr_CNNcnSz/w480-h640/20230101_114330.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnT_ywjx07npOIgX0tLWUgSs6zaI3w-UiGGr8x_F2nKsu8H0-NDw41mNfQH4qTvuXRYNgyl8w3r1HX8WNt0ee5y0cTuJi583KzgypfaIGZWb3Jh1bOHOzxly7vOSD6zUHkqGrCZjiqLHQviVysO6lChaDfXqNNtwEOtaIKg-AnaHaTZ1UF2EjcdwGqTMM/s4032/20230101_114433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnT_ywjx07npOIgX0tLWUgSs6zaI3w-UiGGr8x_F2nKsu8H0-NDw41mNfQH4qTvuXRYNgyl8w3r1HX8WNt0ee5y0cTuJi583KzgypfaIGZWb3Jh1bOHOzxly7vOSD6zUHkqGrCZjiqLHQviVysO6lChaDfXqNNtwEOtaIKg-AnaHaTZ1UF2EjcdwGqTMM/w480-h640/20230101_114433.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsUY2OKxRYTUHx24njKWv_CkAzceZREN0_oLyWAuiNyqmEcE9ed_eIiNaHuBKOH-0pHmc0ldXBKrHQwaQYs6e6k0di8M4x4DDLkfaIcPaol5jHVOYFWymry_QmoRi2wdVq9tR5KuFl6RDTYAGzt4m3lP0DV1AhT_HBabip5koreF2rvZMPFFjJ9H45FeE/s4032/20230101_115039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsUY2OKxRYTUHx24njKWv_CkAzceZREN0_oLyWAuiNyqmEcE9ed_eIiNaHuBKOH-0pHmc0ldXBKrHQwaQYs6e6k0di8M4x4DDLkfaIcPaol5jHVOYFWymry_QmoRi2wdVq9tR5KuFl6RDTYAGzt4m3lP0DV1AhT_HBabip5koreF2rvZMPFFjJ9H45FeE/w480-h640/20230101_115039.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />Leaves settled on the bottom of the still lake</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N0c6VgotX_ni_p0FAWtbFlUrBjIohTlyJqcBCp8sCBJW5n9OsN7T6SY0_oeQoy2pzQdFjKtHd3Kr4eUpkI-QQ1AIRq07ML9KY5-JYbHWO3i7QORv7JP8JgIJtbTjNBhEDYVjmFrdyK7rniSDL5fSbTOdKZV-Xvw85rno5iGeefr0_gK0d1hAuEcI5ExO/s4032/20230101_120929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N0c6VgotX_ni_p0FAWtbFlUrBjIohTlyJqcBCp8sCBJW5n9OsN7T6SY0_oeQoy2pzQdFjKtHd3Kr4eUpkI-QQ1AIRq07ML9KY5-JYbHWO3i7QORv7JP8JgIJtbTjNBhEDYVjmFrdyK7rniSDL5fSbTOdKZV-Xvw85rno5iGeefr0_gK0d1hAuEcI5ExO/w480-h640/20230101_120929.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Continuing in our loop from North Lake Trail, you know I had to hike a trail named Pipsissewa,<br /> one of my favorite flower names!</div><br />Another decision point at the intersection of Brissy Ridge Trail: right or left? It’s a loop trail, so either way is about the same distance, so we opted left to get onto the hiker-only portion. This section of Brissy Ridge was 1.5 miles, a steep downhill and then a bigger climb back up.<br /><br /><i>For the whole route, the only flat parts were on Firetower Trail and around North Lake – otherwise, ups and downs – not a “walk in the park.”</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIt47OBRi824tpg9VT05nTKWl-4dVy6hELSGUwlg9VQK6cC7difCTTVL9b2MPZ2zCjz3bA735TWViTUbjnrPZHWCiWxPOOHcS-w4t_jchOtXxbRiptXpNObzcR7vFQ5FN6XHEPyLmUO6r853PM5PKU85ADJp26blfNyZNkCizXMr3T87Y-hRwzximAVLDm/s4032/20230101_123257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIt47OBRi824tpg9VT05nTKWl-4dVy6hELSGUwlg9VQK6cC7difCTTVL9b2MPZ2zCjz3bA735TWViTUbjnrPZHWCiWxPOOHcS-w4t_jchOtXxbRiptXpNObzcR7vFQ5FN6XHEPyLmUO6r853PM5PKU85ADJp26blfNyZNkCizXMr3T87Y-hRwzximAVLDm/w480-h640/20230101_123257.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>At the Brissy Ridge parking area, it took a couple of minutes to determine where to pick up the Sulphur Springs Trail to complete our big loop. Once we got oriented, Sulphur Springs Trail crossed the park road and stayed within sight/sound of it on its steep downhill trend back to our car.<br /><br />For those out there like me who are better with pictures than with words, a screenshot of my GAIA track may be helpful. We started in the bottom right-hand corner and hiked clockwise, 8.5 miles and 1,338 miles of ascent. Grateful for another beautiful “first day” in the woods!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj8M8oiVv_JyDYgl8g1S0LUvjMxL4Mcw1Gt7s-4uL-2mVuBus-VBEig9B3w7xR34Z1ErlNoV3ol64UgFss3v22hLhSK1rPZTFxAwN6lP1ALUiMO8B3TKwFBr7HlkQLxyLVD-VV5mqPYFjVCfkwuvNZJKZ83UW9PGDEWLkJFgCwtcixBNkJuzAjs2EYu3R/s1446/Screenshot_20231118-151427_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj8M8oiVv_JyDYgl8g1S0LUvjMxL4Mcw1Gt7s-4uL-2mVuBus-VBEig9B3w7xR34Z1ErlNoV3ol64UgFss3v22hLhSK1rPZTFxAwN6lP1ALUiMO8B3TKwFBr7HlkQLxyLVD-VV5mqPYFjVCfkwuvNZJKZ83UW9PGDEWLkJFgCwtcixBNkJuzAjs2EYu3R/w476-h640/Screenshot_20231118-151427_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“In the new year, never forget to thank<br /> your past years because they enabled you<br /> to reach today!”<br /> ~Mehmet Murat Ildan</i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-89171306095617325742023-11-13T17:29:00.003-05:002023-11-13T19:47:14.180-05:00Hanging Rock State Park: Moore's Knob, Tory's Den & Tory's Waterfall<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hanging Rock State Park: Moore’s Knob, Tory’s Den & Tory’s Waterfall</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>11/26/22 – 10.4 Miles</b></div></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5s9GzMT7CX0IRLPW6vyls2hfNVDs6o0O1BDcGM_qNi2smv1-Lt9eAIx9NMriBd15ALe0r1teLzfuXcWc9fOMYi74TZw4QMDUBOSvRZOrtZhZGLGbOrCX_G2hbssUZMkT5yBstGTBxXcaEbMLHnFU6_fLlAEsms2rKuikkLKRU2-SxYyPaL2YJRi4p2PS/s4032/20221124_174259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5s9GzMT7CX0IRLPW6vyls2hfNVDs6o0O1BDcGM_qNi2smv1-Lt9eAIx9NMriBd15ALe0r1teLzfuXcWc9fOMYi74TZw4QMDUBOSvRZOrtZhZGLGbOrCX_G2hbssUZMkT5yBstGTBxXcaEbMLHnFU6_fLlAEsms2rKuikkLKRU2-SxYyPaL2YJRi4p2PS/w480-h640/20221124_174259.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Our first grandchild’s first Thanksgiving was a celebration of traditions, dinnertime between naps, and gratitude beyond measure for a new generation. A solo hike on the following Saturday afforded me quiet time for introspection on how life is changing. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.ncpedia.org/hanging-rock-state-park"><span style="color: red;">Hanging Rock State Park</span></a> is in the Sauratown Mountains, named for the Saura Indians, early inhabitants of the region. The park’s infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1935 and 1942, including a dam to create Park Lake, a stone bath house, trails, roads and a steel fire tower that was, unfortunately, later destroyed by fire. Soon it was replaced by a stone fire tower. Seems that Mother Nature did not care for this either, as the stone tower was in use for only a few years before it suffered hurricane damage that required its decommissioning. It was converted to the observation tower that stands today.<br /><br /><i>A section of my route today is Hike #16 of </i><u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://stores.portmerch.com/mountainstoseatrail/featured-products/great-day-hikes-on-north-carolina-s-mountain-to-sea-trail.html"><span style="color: red;">Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail</span></a></u><i>. I hiked this section going west to east back </i><a href="https://smokyscout.blogspot.com/2010/04/soggy-ending-on-high-note.html" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">in March 2010</span></a><i>. That day was not much fun in a drenching rain, foggy at the summit and no views from the lookout tower. <br /><br /></i>On this chilly, still, intensely blue sky morning I arrived at the Hanging Rock Lake parking lot, apparently the first person up and ready to hike. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFJFe4vCyXOopssrGdPmhDdjiwTazric2iR2UGqmybDx26MH10Uu_ENMpUbA4ZWn5P-Gm3spp0nU6Z31uL_IbzqQd73Cr02UmN0NBgwJgUP2s-wUqO9RWUu7iDm-wWVDKxGteWmNbJPBY4FMpjMBjfs4-dVdgqBpOpQ9Z0uwRZOLWteXkP16Ds6ywkOuF/s4032/20221126_085341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFJFe4vCyXOopssrGdPmhDdjiwTazric2iR2UGqmybDx26MH10Uu_ENMpUbA4ZWn5P-Gm3spp0nU6Z31uL_IbzqQd73Cr02UmN0NBgwJgUP2s-wUqO9RWUu7iDm-wWVDKxGteWmNbJPBY4FMpjMBjfs4-dVdgqBpOpQ9Z0uwRZOLWteXkP16Ds6ywkOuF/w480-h640/20221126_085341.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>As you can see, signage here is detailed and comprehensive to the point that intersection signs are like pages from a book, including directional arrows and mileages, blaze colors and shapes – and I’m happy to see this. I’ve been in too many local and state parks with tangles of intersecting trails, inadequate signage, and confused hikers. <br /><br />But first of all, you need to know where you want to go. I was looking for the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail, the red circle blaze that just happens to run concurrently with the MST white circle blaze and the Lake Trail white hexagon blaze.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0pIUh9qZcvIQmQvGB673lQRd9e1aK6QyRyUd4oHeU98RRVXYg88tFnprvl5b1peM4M8nFAYvT-M8fity_P41nyJRhgBBsudu5Pc-Upj2JkSoE_Wgzz6NRx7P8deTjW4YUy5ef-bScRU0M9FCQSj3LO9T6qZDUB2EuvODAeq5vvsiW5Z_lUYZFj7aNazW/s4032/20221126_085558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0pIUh9qZcvIQmQvGB673lQRd9e1aK6QyRyUd4oHeU98RRVXYg88tFnprvl5b1peM4M8nFAYvT-M8fity_P41nyJRhgBBsudu5Pc-Upj2JkSoE_Wgzz6NRx7P8deTjW4YUy5ef-bScRU0M9FCQSj3LO9T6qZDUB2EuvODAeq5vvsiW5Z_lUYZFj7aNazW/w640-h480/20221126_085558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Passing along the edge of Park Lake</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hwJawVS6VnvP3BPc9gKaNxq6r5gDMC1rk2RqffOXYAp9t6hC5Qs3ICHh0ArVXkS3C8KCO6SVflZ3Dlgj-0h1bogZ0kkLTtb2McnK-Svzm5WcLg7twCuCyalXNwoCQzKUXIR7x9nDmfZ2L2zoGYHBfZMyOGDso4W7jnP1ccFcTc33AUyvUHGklAxoirXn/s4032/20221126_090013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hwJawVS6VnvP3BPc9gKaNxq6r5gDMC1rk2RqffOXYAp9t6hC5Qs3ICHh0ArVXkS3C8KCO6SVflZ3Dlgj-0h1bogZ0kkLTtb2McnK-Svzm5WcLg7twCuCyalXNwoCQzKUXIR7x9nDmfZ2L2zoGYHBfZMyOGDso4W7jnP1ccFcTc33AUyvUHGklAxoirXn/w480-h640/20221126_090013.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a boardwalk through the woods</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHOuhlEbXxH8_z_mluK9f_ntJ_D7OocEIV-U5wdPmAeLAcy13XBV3sgCOopIDa86n5vLmQOb5GRLjPYmARA8e953SImXtWVc-jY1ua5Zm3KXSkXdTiLv-RKL9InyAYKI_6heQiFLdVy1LU2gibm9w4Vi-axurdA9qCu76RjK6DhzmRNxmJf-KMw3HFlWE/s4032/20221126_090906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHOuhlEbXxH8_z_mluK9f_ntJ_D7OocEIV-U5wdPmAeLAcy13XBV3sgCOopIDa86n5vLmQOb5GRLjPYmARA8e953SImXtWVc-jY1ua5Zm3KXSkXdTiLv-RKL9InyAYKI_6heQiFLdVy1LU2gibm9w4Vi-axurdA9qCu76RjK6DhzmRNxmJf-KMw3HFlWE/w480-h640/20221126_090906.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the campground, I followed the instructions to stay on the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljaR9PGu_oUS4u8eZfQDnl-WOUFYPh3lONd7T-S_2X-CLIxVZzWloBr5tXxZLozg5VzH-qV9wyfUHyV0_Niz5Z5F8zi4DzQnpM6susPlOkSSuiyrfZLoHxrLyNbpbwl64URKg9bqUzo-IFtagE9PZEBARz__ALrpOsI-rbVkPXIrdRLypisAhOFzszPes/s4032/20221126_091053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljaR9PGu_oUS4u8eZfQDnl-WOUFYPh3lONd7T-S_2X-CLIxVZzWloBr5tXxZLozg5VzH-qV9wyfUHyV0_Niz5Z5F8zi4DzQnpM6susPlOkSSuiyrfZLoHxrLyNbpbwl64URKg9bqUzo-IFtagE9PZEBARz__ALrpOsI-rbVkPXIrdRLypisAhOFzszPes/w480-h640/20221126_091053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I thought I smelled smoke! There were just a few tents and campers in the campground, smart people who watched the weather forecast and decided it was a great opportunity to spend a night outside. Wish I’d thought of it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy96mP-ag6TI4Rzyoi2-WOxRQYNHNuCjv599WmHm6zYSQOX3Hejq-nIlbVC_X3MhzqTaFWbsfcaVG2posxKo4cgB_zI6goxe94MDpE5L6ULmrbDZuVGsWbgCWa_yOnk3JMy-82U1DAMihKDv5icyNX2IYMlfruoBiymsLTE-3J1fvpi0VqU25LL5BvinQy/s4032/20221126_092441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy96mP-ag6TI4Rzyoi2-WOxRQYNHNuCjv599WmHm6zYSQOX3Hejq-nIlbVC_X3MhzqTaFWbsfcaVG2posxKo4cgB_zI6goxe94MDpE5L6ULmrbDZuVGsWbgCWa_yOnk3JMy-82U1DAMihKDv5icyNX2IYMlfruoBiymsLTE-3J1fvpi0VqU25LL5BvinQy/w480-h640/20221126_092441.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is not an MST white circle blaze, just pretty lichen on a rock in the path</div><br />The trail rises along a series of stone steps. I knew I was going to climb A LOT OF THEM. Two hikers jauntily descending told me they counted 700 so far. My pace was steady but unhurried as I warmed up, still on fresh legs so the steps didn’t hurt (yet), and I was glad of the effort required. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0NJdgAQbW5XB3U9h7Mq6wRVbl8ZJrq1YRnagdFoVXqOwIHAiK5hkgjBjvG870eV10EZ5QeWBlBbG7YwtCcov3y9D7PASEFwnSe4DiYv4dAoiF2kYy-F_3yunIHRYtYt00YaOsD7l14FJ54zsIc0FtooyrqFI4o5-pA8-rJSKSaIli7udIw7GtQ18_n4p/s4032/20221126_094154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0NJdgAQbW5XB3U9h7Mq6wRVbl8ZJrq1YRnagdFoVXqOwIHAiK5hkgjBjvG870eV10EZ5QeWBlBbG7YwtCcov3y9D7PASEFwnSe4DiYv4dAoiF2kYy-F_3yunIHRYtYt00YaOsD7l14FJ54zsIc0FtooyrqFI4o5-pA8-rJSKSaIli7udIw7GtQ18_n4p/w480-h640/20221126_094154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><i>Did I mention that this was my beginning training for hiking the <a href="https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/centennial-trail-brochure.pdf"><span style="color: red;">Centennial Trail in South Dakota</span></a> in June 2023?</i><br /><br />Crunchy dry fall leaves blanketed the ground. They were not yet flattened or pulverized by walkers, making it hard to discern the terrain – are they covering up a dip in the trail or a protruding rock? </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUQO6nQR7gyRQ5-qIXOaSTLPIlmB3cpM_w3Md4Q18CdKg9eNLFEh35TOXHfB2yQUUuixIhRHTXORdpA_XVknvrIA3yPDbXS2cp5Az2TsjewhpDiyM8PXlqCXO7fGLMkUnZjd9FlLkRGJlzbv_iq3PlCTNg5qoO6qVTLtZk8uiRpb4pAUYUsNtGrppGTuB/s4032/20221126_094941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUQO6nQR7gyRQ5-qIXOaSTLPIlmB3cpM_w3Md4Q18CdKg9eNLFEh35TOXHfB2yQUUuixIhRHTXORdpA_XVknvrIA3yPDbXS2cp5Az2TsjewhpDiyM8PXlqCXO7fGLMkUnZjd9FlLkRGJlzbv_iq3PlCTNg5qoO6qVTLtZk8uiRpb4pAUYUsNtGrppGTuB/w480-h640/20221126_094941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What’s this?</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_YvJ70LvWjsizHW92B3nfHcKK70ZTbTtbVXw5mDBYNszwaO8pm3mH21cTKBYVavYgAVx0YBksrKsvwV9uC-NPZP3EF_Yv9AUkJSlqMYhyphenhyphenr6QF5fUn6rjN20XO5aJucgMaoNHe9rIvGSMDm-w0nHQqgPbXxxh_l_x_3cR8DvrGcFY95HXVYaYhkOZ3_cj/s4032/20221126_095018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_YvJ70LvWjsizHW92B3nfHcKK70ZTbTtbVXw5mDBYNszwaO8pm3mH21cTKBYVavYgAVx0YBksrKsvwV9uC-NPZP3EF_Yv9AUkJSlqMYhyphenhyphenr6QF5fUn6rjN20XO5aJucgMaoNHe9rIvGSMDm-w0nHQqgPbXxxh_l_x_3cR8DvrGcFY95HXVYaYhkOZ3_cj/w480-h640/20221126_095018.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like the sign says, Balanced Rock</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgmUzOWQZP9agfjFR9iTBOYowlxcP3lJYf8-ZVMBf24FZO0leq660vDTbEtTYt2FdkUdoYLa_veVYRXX1OTSJMFsBF-T_A0MY2KkGb4e37QtPaS9xPneEwCDwzjijiTS-a5qogfphvWFcQJXfyyIgthXjDJaqzts6LCh40NcfX8srb5Q5hOoW4yDrQz-X/s4032/20221126_095209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgmUzOWQZP9agfjFR9iTBOYowlxcP3lJYf8-ZVMBf24FZO0leq660vDTbEtTYt2FdkUdoYLa_veVYRXX1OTSJMFsBF-T_A0MY2KkGb4e37QtPaS9xPneEwCDwzjijiTS-a5qogfphvWFcQJXfyyIgthXjDJaqzts6LCh40NcfX8srb5Q5hOoW4yDrQz-X/w480-h640/20221126_095209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moore’s Knob Observation Tower</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgza3TuZzE2rLrrbC74tftFOw6oS-Uj5wPDxc084CnmB5IlBUl1GI7-wY8tffk1v85Gqp_eiJVDODXmIO1Wp0Lhs1nAoawJ3v92zCCzBVDw9f6LDHSdcevHpdNljIhRHY1o2SNBsKQIlLasrxka0vhT9h7p1gT04JeRMrHSeQkb4yysTM2z5tCm2k7LtgZ/s4032/20221126_100837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgza3TuZzE2rLrrbC74tftFOw6oS-Uj5wPDxc084CnmB5IlBUl1GI7-wY8tffk1v85Gqp_eiJVDODXmIO1Wp0Lhs1nAoawJ3v92zCCzBVDw9f6LDHSdcevHpdNljIhRHY1o2SNBsKQIlLasrxka0vhT9h7p1gT04JeRMrHSeQkb4yysTM2z5tCm2k7LtgZ/w480-h640/20221126_100837.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cmDkf-ZS-dOJBIdisTkjM7iqZP2c1cWcRwRyrEE7C9_SwUc7hsrFdhTKQNcdjAdy9abSoLB4JQr3Euo23T963JVHWZKbpJxHOkoDaMsPrQKXuVMLwtaE0WDjl-b0h9xODD5w0ki0_5PvI2SK2LqJsM42fVfhWyzVkr80Zvlot5w3wQ4qbhXN5ULkXvq-/s4032/20221126_095758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cmDkf-ZS-dOJBIdisTkjM7iqZP2c1cWcRwRyrEE7C9_SwUc7hsrFdhTKQNcdjAdy9abSoLB4JQr3Euo23T963JVHWZKbpJxHOkoDaMsPrQKXuVMLwtaE0WDjl-b0h9xODD5w0ki0_5PvI2SK2LqJsM42fVfhWyzVkr80Zvlot5w3wQ4qbhXN5ULkXvq-/w480-h640/20221126_095758.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I had the tower to myself (seriously, where IS everybody?) Each side features photographs identifying the mountain peaks and distances. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9QmkHGkv_6rS3_NEEe_BwVtW6XnBn7rrLHkWsMs5JOkVUX6Im2bkEDLyrMLe9vQuHLyqGsNiWtluspG9nGuRVPU3rKNuy7GHUtw_4lkjDRNM2goT_U6q_VTvO-DHHIyvjmbeZIudnSuegjzyZLTjUX49soDbCn_-rN4_6ZMPMiy8oIhNVj_i1US3FAPn/s4032/20221126_095607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9QmkHGkv_6rS3_NEEe_BwVtW6XnBn7rrLHkWsMs5JOkVUX6Im2bkEDLyrMLe9vQuHLyqGsNiWtluspG9nGuRVPU3rKNuy7GHUtw_4lkjDRNM2goT_U6q_VTvO-DHHIyvjmbeZIudnSuegjzyZLTjUX49soDbCn_-rN4_6ZMPMiy8oIhNVj_i1US3FAPn/w640-h480/20221126_095607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View east: the eastern side of Hanging Rock State Park</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfuxSw5mctdEXjj08D1ihkFvUojLHkWLL_IP9kec7qItzUg10xCuzDbZpV_W9DJDlCvdnCq6UwBa-fGG3RmAtBsP07f4qYqikYY4CwIi3WR1SlVW0oPikvg-S1qWw492UtK1qqiTD-PrcJxpsIetGHW5vZ5y5kQGu6JN86OTd9fQg5MnrXRK3Nrt3_Ax/s4032/20221126_100336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxfuxSw5mctdEXjj08D1ihkFvUojLHkWLL_IP9kec7qItzUg10xCuzDbZpV_W9DJDlCvdnCq6UwBa-fGG3RmAtBsP07f4qYqikYY4CwIi3WR1SlVW0oPikvg-S1qWw492UtK1qqiTD-PrcJxpsIetGHW5vZ5y5kQGu6JN86OTd9fQg5MnrXRK3Nrt3_Ax/w640-h480/20221126_100336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View west: Sauratown Mountains and Pilot Mountain – the photo doesn’t show it, <br />but I could see Grandfather Mountain 88 miles away!</div><br />View south (no photo): I couldn’t make out Charlotte, but I did see the tall buildings of downtown Winston-Salem<br /><br />Peaceful rare air, suspended in time, looking at the same view of natural features that indigenous peoples would have used for millenia as waypoints for navigation (minus the buildings, of course). <br /><br />I left the tower behind and continued the loop counterclockwise along the ridge walk of Moore’s Wall, the red circle blazes fewer and farther between. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO1r1l4_aadvzE_cAQcvViG1WaGdjFRye6O4XiAd9v4lED9YW6WzQ6nHZslpoRPo0kXWRIXuTzQfVe_YFoDYsrIqM4CIOG754OXzmnqhlvSROIW3GncbzWtM4zbOEhFSGVWmq5aSiT3swN_R3Koo7n1FI7uoXIJ9_TVKWPIvw57DW04ZOO-ZgEFvP56NE/s4032/20221126_102632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO1r1l4_aadvzE_cAQcvViG1WaGdjFRye6O4XiAd9v4lED9YW6WzQ6nHZslpoRPo0kXWRIXuTzQfVe_YFoDYsrIqM4CIOG754OXzmnqhlvSROIW3GncbzWtM4zbOEhFSGVWmq5aSiT3swN_R3Koo7n1FI7uoXIJ9_TVKWPIvw57DW04ZOO-ZgEFvP56NE/w480-h640/20221126_102632.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interesting rock formations revealed by the erosion of soil – would you stick your head</div><div style="text-align: center;"> in here to see what’s inside?</div><br />After a steep descent, I reached an intersection where a left turn continues on Moore’s Wall Loop Trail back to the lake parking lot. A right turn is the beginning of Tory’s Den Trail (blue dot blaze) and continuing on MST (white dot blaze). Tory’s Den, here I come!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyU5tbwDmSaQR8vatBB7egBE6rKHh3W9a1X65VQF-ZXF-yDwHLEFwi5mbcFcWi3XJb7cdo8YQssaIlNsICi50P-tjQQ5sMl2al8gOet8vbz8wgt99OIwomN_V_xEg1aGBp0Ls043gMXx647v8KfEtRPwzGKpvGmrb3-SPhpz2ZSXv-ysx3U_HC8KcXc4_/s4032/20221126_105013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyU5tbwDmSaQR8vatBB7egBE6rKHh3W9a1X65VQF-ZXF-yDwHLEFwi5mbcFcWi3XJb7cdo8YQssaIlNsICi50P-tjQQ5sMl2al8gOet8vbz8wgt99OIwomN_V_xEg1aGBp0Ls043gMXx647v8KfEtRPwzGKpvGmrb3-SPhpz2ZSXv-ysx3U_HC8KcXc4_/w480-h640/20221126_105013.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>This trail section started out as a pleasant walk, then a little bit of up, then a long gradual descent that I suspected would be my nemesis on the return.<br /><br />Tory’s Den Trail intersects Ruben Mountain Trail twice on the left, so take note – a wrong turn will take you 3 miles around Ruben Mountain Trail with no other intersections. This is a horse trail, too, so watch out for horse poop under those leaves!<br /><br />The trail grade levels out to beautiful open forest, very little undergrowth, ankle-deep leaves rustling under my feet, gray branches against the blue sky, a few scampering squirrels: Can you hear me humming, “Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYfIKBZMwEHj0XmlH257nbCY0pbp2q69QgtvZXI2ztbBY9STwUxnLuPXK-ee2AnGb6ooeZ4OJoxlbmEatDva4kB56eKgvMXmaUL6T9uNbLkGEThgNN7izzaGFazCacivGfE8aZBzqjYy6h4cuZSHU45NxshTRVzstg5Fcp8gXYE87R5Zi8TOjYFrXvZqG/s4032/20221126_114034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYfIKBZMwEHj0XmlH257nbCY0pbp2q69QgtvZXI2ztbBY9STwUxnLuPXK-ee2AnGb6ooeZ4OJoxlbmEatDva4kB56eKgvMXmaUL6T9uNbLkGEThgNN7izzaGFazCacivGfE8aZBzqjYy6h4cuZSHU45NxshTRVzstg5Fcp8gXYE87R5Zi8TOjYFrXvZqG/w480-h640/20221126_114034.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>On my right, Moore’s Wall rises straight and tall and I strained to see the observation platform through the bare branches – found it! Would be impossible to see when the trees are leafed out.<br /><br />It’s about 2.5 miles from the beginning of Tory’s Den Trail to the crossing at Charlie Young Road, then a quarter mile of un-scenic trail following a power line cut (yuck, efficient but dull). At the parking area for Tory’s Den & Falls I felt accomplished and ready for a short walk…but wait a minute…more stairs! Lots more stairs! <br /><br />Tory’s Den is a cave where Loyalists hid during the Revolutionary War until Patriots found them and…well, ask Google. The cave is worth visiting just as an awesome natural feature. Had to take my own photos because, you know, solitude.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Yw_Z_hBIqIAgxiLpMvcJaJGPwD2Bf5m3sv6nIJAVbG8fUlPG_o-dCAEZhJR0BWWxOcmSjPzuW8GHtzW_-J3mlBpIoT1Ku1HJZMHwKbKkzW9OfR-8Q4EWsnTYDMk2pGywHvBYLqvedBh8OJv5qaGr_MUMqji6yoT92e-l-g-Ef-dRIpXp49z2vMo6yoT/s4032/20221126_115628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Yw_Z_hBIqIAgxiLpMvcJaJGPwD2Bf5m3sv6nIJAVbG8fUlPG_o-dCAEZhJR0BWWxOcmSjPzuW8GHtzW_-J3mlBpIoT1Ku1HJZMHwKbKkzW9OfR-8Q4EWsnTYDMk2pGywHvBYLqvedBh8OJv5qaGr_MUMqji6yoT92e-l-g-Ef-dRIpXp49z2vMo6yoT/w640-h480/20221126_115628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLEarWNhZKA3hISAoby0d61mDvWXlMghnDudzfwpOPWXwxXzlX2mmOZ19cusKVyRII_G7d8vwzK1SYLUqPpIQCpm8ezCSzP0hN93_SYc7ipEJaGZ5ZSCOJvUdSx4ocufaDwUW2Ep0mr9UbrhEtmPlJO-YFtAu3JP3vLgvBtQ5kSo3ZLmNDZ5yxqFH4Att/s4032/20221126_115704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLEarWNhZKA3hISAoby0d61mDvWXlMghnDudzfwpOPWXwxXzlX2mmOZ19cusKVyRII_G7d8vwzK1SYLUqPpIQCpm8ezCSzP0hN93_SYc7ipEJaGZ5ZSCOJvUdSx4ocufaDwUW2Ep0mr9UbrhEtmPlJO-YFtAu3JP3vLgvBtQ5kSo3ZLmNDZ5yxqFH4Att/w480-h640/20221126_115704.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Some more steps to Tory’s Waterfall (nothin’ for free here at Hanging Rock SP). The flow wasn’t spectacular, but after the first couple of cascades the water tumbles sort of sideways in pretty little cascades along the rock wall – mesmerizing whispery sounds. I ate lunch there in pure joy at being outside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcTOMnTxtiVh6qJNeYWLTe15gZ-AuxjupGmz1QzKa04Y2W1FVd_8NPTCVTbGKcWt5AEVxX1n9YYs4hfeAHlbWjlaLjXbXXkZjudh0I4uMyxXT3hmcPuJ8GLh6NQCtn4S4EpKVbfZ8CEpUstyduHueu7-rfnccmOC9fb_HAHV0NdCZukrpgR2zO6W56Ycw/s2659/20221126_120053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="1939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcTOMnTxtiVh6qJNeYWLTe15gZ-AuxjupGmz1QzKa04Y2W1FVd_8NPTCVTbGKcWt5AEVxX1n9YYs4hfeAHlbWjlaLjXbXXkZjudh0I4uMyxXT3hmcPuJ8GLh6NQCtn4S4EpKVbfZ8CEpUstyduHueu7-rfnccmOC9fb_HAHV0NdCZukrpgR2zO6W56Ycw/w466-h640/20221126_120053.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><p>Aahhhh…where’s my car? About 4.4 miles back at the lake parking area. Retraced my steps, the gradual ascent to the intersection with Ruben Mountain Trail, feeling a little thigh fatigue. Next, the serious uphill that I expected – the only part of my hike today that required concentration and pep talking, a couple of pauses to catch my breath. I rejoined the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail and its gentle descent for the last mile or so to the lake.<br /><br /><i>My route mileage was about 10.4 miles, but you can park at the Tory’s Den parking lot and hike a shorter out-and-back route to Tory’s Den, Tory’s Waterfall and Moore’s Knob Observation Tower, about 8 miles round trip.<br /><br /></i>The drive home to Charlotte wasn’t the usual buzz kill, less traffic because of the holiday. I relished a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for my self-care in prioritizing this hike today. Home before 5pm, I joined Jim on our back porch for happy hour and Thanksgiving leftovers. Gratitude.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmPYLtw_gzjL61ARJ6QiLKhqRQ8xFlQtA1ajETRWU2l6Z11gOPP-KYDmyJELBD315FtEY5SB8pkmeFc5s8f97OhtQB6owYGH-hgK_KlVvhEv6V6bKwZeDwTx-_ojgZctjvi8bwQSDP4CQ1cvLhmFb0oEYOH9H74qDxaOdYl5xA7CFwarO74oolFSnibGb/s1362/20231113_155129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmPYLtw_gzjL61ARJ6QiLKhqRQ8xFlQtA1ajETRWU2l6Z11gOPP-KYDmyJELBD315FtEY5SB8pkmeFc5s8f97OhtQB6owYGH-hgK_KlVvhEv6V6bKwZeDwTx-_ojgZctjvi8bwQSDP4CQ1cvLhmFb0oEYOH9H74qDxaOdYl5xA7CFwarO74oolFSnibGb/w508-h640/20231113_155129.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;">“It is not joy that makes us grateful;<br /> it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”</i></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i> ~David Steindl-Rast</i></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-53891981642857554512023-10-22T14:12:00.001-04:002023-10-22T14:12:12.353-04:00Waterfall 100 Challenge: Big Falls & High Falls On Thompson River<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Waterfall 100 Challenge: Big Falls & High Falls On Thompson River <br />9/29/22 – 8.3 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7BNR4VA4mDgAgku6EhgImnmVYi-kyoK-SrYrXQQDYeMrAHlo3qhuypnXco5TZzQGCOOmKL4-m-wT1FgBvgBgrzGQZKV9mNgVa4nZO2OtJiJxAQFbelFmkczig5BMkKs4ItMzoUhegmtIr8YFVTWbQ9NOd7ghhmcBQHy4TnAos0JTvmhbqPIDbfzP4ARh/s4032/20220929_141205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7BNR4VA4mDgAgku6EhgImnmVYi-kyoK-SrYrXQQDYeMrAHlo3qhuypnXco5TZzQGCOOmKL4-m-wT1FgBvgBgrzGQZKV9mNgVa4nZO2OtJiJxAQFbelFmkczig5BMkKs4ItMzoUhegmtIr8YFVTWbQ9NOd7ghhmcBQHy4TnAos0JTvmhbqPIDbfzP4ARh/w480-h640/20220929_141205.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Today’s <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/26/page/wc100"><span style="color: red;">WC100</span></a> adventures were in a familiar neck of the woods (pun intended). On the eastern side of NC 281 passing through Nantahala National Forest, dozens of creeks make their way through watersheds to join the big rivers, including Whitewater, Horsepasture and Thompson Rivers.<br /><br />Headed south on US 281 from its intersection with US 64 west of Lake Toxaway, Jim and I drove to Brewer Road. Referencing information from <a href="https://www.kadamsphoto.com/north_carolina_waterfalls/"><span style="color: red;">Kevin Adams’ book North Carolina Waterfalls (3rd Ed.)</span></a>, we parked on the side of Brewer Road and looked for our trailhead at an old gated logging road. I used my GAIA app to record our hike. <i>[The GAIA topo map has this trail marked; the National Geographic map does not.]</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53VmDAP5UkHvRJfBfdjxn0kDqAVON1-7euasqkAlAkIeO7BuBQsefhFwVfhNJbfF8tl9ztIdNpI-FY66wuIHMACaW_AX90wmnF3F5mAKst74niQAcXT9dweJl0l3pNdJqY8ZhKKJTIqtHQbv0tYVSDzXkGQhv-dMvhWYldg4Xv8SHhyphenhyphenulLNR1GHYnBeu/s4032/20220929_091350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53VmDAP5UkHvRJfBfdjxn0kDqAVON1-7euasqkAlAkIeO7BuBQsefhFwVfhNJbfF8tl9ztIdNpI-FY66wuIHMACaW_AX90wmnF3F5mAKst74niQAcXT9dweJl0l3pNdJqY8ZhKKJTIqtHQbv0tYVSDzXkGQhv-dMvhWYldg4Xv8SHhyphenhyphenulLNR1GHYnBeu/w480-h640/20220929_091350.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>At least 8 waterfalls are accessible from the route we hiked. Our must-see goals were Big Falls at the far end and High Falls on a side forest road near the beginning. In between we passed spur trails to Reid Branch Falls, Simon Falls, Rich Falls, Standing Rock Falls, and Unmentionable Falls.<br /><br /><i>On an out-and-back hike, it’s tempting to follow every side trail to waterfalls on the way to the far end of the route, but here is some advice: go all the way to the furthest point of interest first and then work your way back looking for the side trails. It is much easier to manage your time and you won’t be caught at twilight still miles from your car.<br /></i><br />The old forest road was littered with occasional blowdowns, to be expected, otherwise easy to follow. About a mile along the gradual descent we reached the right turn to High Falls – we’ll come back to that. We stayed left and continued downhill, soon reaching a crossing of the Thompson River. We took the time to remove shoes and socks and wade across.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluskY9Pqnb08anWEIljK4xTTEtAMf78P952Ot2u6CDUQnmYk9Q6IDnGFCZzmn0-A8E_fHeTSX7g6NBMmuCLddhYvaNWrNy5XotNJxv6gtys0VulBSnsG35QvYLOxGPfL1udlIolFWJanlcrUxoRCMpFhPtdJsv_XfkuMMJdCr4wmYNjRCF6ZR3goHRRZt/s4032/20220929_094743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluskY9Pqnb08anWEIljK4xTTEtAMf78P952Ot2u6CDUQnmYk9Q6IDnGFCZzmn0-A8E_fHeTSX7g6NBMmuCLddhYvaNWrNy5XotNJxv6gtys0VulBSnsG35QvYLOxGPfL1udlIolFWJanlcrUxoRCMpFhPtdJsv_XfkuMMJdCr4wmYNjRCF6ZR3goHRRZt/w480-h640/20220929_094743.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqbFihqoElh0hQ75BhBSRyXGyT5TnK-CswLRW92JsoxcRU8nsm4mMsxgu_ADOszR-cHEQJTR6EZdbPjij23R1HfsA8FjnD5v7yg_6xn06PTfeqn3bdlz2uJatdt2aVjbPmrsjCvK2QNpFrA4qyZSGqMoAL3tgTXkpwkCEauPiAQn5OD2mSbxYebHRVG7-/s2602/20220929_134010.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2602" data-original-width="2583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqbFihqoElh0hQ75BhBSRyXGyT5TnK-CswLRW92JsoxcRU8nsm4mMsxgu_ADOszR-cHEQJTR6EZdbPjij23R1HfsA8FjnD5v7yg_6xn06PTfeqn3bdlz2uJatdt2aVjbPmrsjCvK2QNpFrA4qyZSGqMoAL3tgTXkpwkCEauPiAQn5OD2mSbxYebHRVG7-/w636-h640/20220929_134010.1.jpg" width="636" /></a>Gentian – the only flower I noticed all day</div><p>Through the trees we glimpsed a cascade that the GAIA app labels as Unmentionable Falls. I guess with the plethora of waterfalls nearby, the waterfall namers ran out of names. Past this cascade, Thompson River curves to the right as lesser creeks join it, increasing in size as it flows down and across the NC/SC state line and into Lake Jocassee.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5HcWGQKDAr-EkJ9CP4SBTqyCeEseMzO-AzAALcdwlOS7nZyZMOMGAGZ3ojTP_TwSCEWpMrSO2Ii477irFgKU4ba7J4OiKMqUglp-6qAHqEQzYGtSn2tn6kyY_eSJkMSNVMC7aaDHpUdtmFMxArClJ0DXM8nTS6wdKuDe-j7Cq-6B-wu1o2SwMmdBWXx2/s3149/20220929_095619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="2342" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5HcWGQKDAr-EkJ9CP4SBTqyCeEseMzO-AzAALcdwlOS7nZyZMOMGAGZ3ojTP_TwSCEWpMrSO2Ii477irFgKU4ba7J4OiKMqUglp-6qAHqEQzYGtSn2tn6kyY_eSJkMSNVMC7aaDHpUdtmFMxArClJ0DXM8nTS6wdKuDe-j7Cq-6B-wu1o2SwMmdBWXx2/w476-h640/20220929_095619.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><p>The next 3 miles on trail were unremarkable save for one more unmarked fork where again we stayed left, high above the river. Along the way, reminders of logging days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMz9I52Duy-iZCYb7oWimQQCq96wX0b6z3SQInxhcsK4YzqrBW8u7J5gT3gYnFA-wn0Qq62rCSpLdMSOcCd2xcJTGYFYhlA0KkTo0Ry42KkjjvncKYMRpf9SlJYn2_yl52TnmX_oN-AvbL2ALSiSI3IzsNdIY5Z4hMMBgXVGiyVyM8OM5TWMNfoX4NXDJ/s4032/20220929_102236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMz9I52Duy-iZCYb7oWimQQCq96wX0b6z3SQInxhcsK4YzqrBW8u7J5gT3gYnFA-wn0Qq62rCSpLdMSOcCd2xcJTGYFYhlA0KkTo0Ry42KkjjvncKYMRpf9SlJYn2_yl52TnmX_oN-AvbL2ALSiSI3IzsNdIY5Z4hMMBgXVGiyVyM8OM5TWMNfoX4NXDJ/w480-h640/20220929_102236.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLFNjtxAD-tOn16xAEGKAW0XtX2UOZnYxpWhMikFj96PYET1p8cBNC4NGaWiWizaPp6Y91wk2qWtehfeF6gA5b9nyM1iTAgCPhCFX_wIBvXYA7RW0uUq7PxypmlssBKdP8wfUO_EIjCL8rQsYK7vxvFFs13-nPH0laeNTwbmb4H6y4Ij_nR4GB5PjSyvV/s3149/20220929_102229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="2548" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLFNjtxAD-tOn16xAEGKAW0XtX2UOZnYxpWhMikFj96PYET1p8cBNC4NGaWiWizaPp6Y91wk2qWtehfeF6gA5b9nyM1iTAgCPhCFX_wIBvXYA7RW0uUq7PxypmlssBKdP8wfUO_EIjCL8rQsYK7vxvFFs13-nPH0laeNTwbmb4H6y4Ij_nR4GB5PjSyvV/w518-h640/20220929_102229.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45gLlVrTLDeVdPg3jfdOiAcSY8ciyH_z9lIs4gP6c1SbAmWvOn5T6jtNbZexB-w8eswMxAy1p9VewMNPfm1x2S0YahL8VxRmA4Cua5NP7c8yjhPtINliadf2OiOnJZHls65jRQWAp8066YmcUQ7u_yyhcQSf2B7Bh7LUp-k9L-sREi7zhSSfPKctwbrsr/s2449/IMG-1118.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="1994" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45gLlVrTLDeVdPg3jfdOiAcSY8ciyH_z9lIs4gP6c1SbAmWvOn5T6jtNbZexB-w8eswMxAy1p9VewMNPfm1x2S0YahL8VxRmA4Cua5NP7c8yjhPtINliadf2OiOnJZHls65jRQWAp8066YmcUQ7u_yyhcQSf2B7Bh7LUp-k9L-sREi7zhSSfPKctwbrsr/w522-h640/IMG-1118.1.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><p>We slowed our pace, relying on the GPS to find the side trail to Big Falls. The descent started out reasonably but, as we’ve experienced with remote waterfalls, it became a slippery slope and rock scramble combo where hiking poles are useless and sturdy rhododendron branches are vital.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Acvv_tR04qmNayKJrhR-q5zNppN9i7aDiewLt_HSR0wsW2vR98BCTnXo_W5jhIoRfnIavpLKPSm7eNZh8SzdeGUV8ST4JQmOwWZ8Vt2v8cniDlM50-nz0UZYBtyJo0SIU5IuO-gna1MP-qCwVOJm0_R7bPpL1JMrOnx5BoerC31XsukOHIZGgcCQL47l/s4032/20220929_120243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Acvv_tR04qmNayKJrhR-q5zNppN9i7aDiewLt_HSR0wsW2vR98BCTnXo_W5jhIoRfnIavpLKPSm7eNZh8SzdeGUV8ST4JQmOwWZ8Vt2v8cniDlM50-nz0UZYBtyJo0SIU5IuO-gna1MP-qCwVOJm0_R7bPpL1JMrOnx5BoerC31XsukOHIZGgcCQL47l/w480-h640/20220929_120243.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting a little tricky amongst the boulders</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWKPzqNjG-wnFiZ5lKB6mRWOPUR7CcR2i3e11ovnQGh1m1TrtpYsLkZJBn-1GmkeZzI-5VTRl0TU6yy1efQKrMBtY8ITnCAwI-o42k3Irm3x07CY4xC6fXmY7tbMMghkgPulppOQfwtYq9tzCsrMe9dzkJmjESw4dfHtS9Jv39Sqy7wI1Zan6Q9lhU-6J/s4032/IMG-1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWKPzqNjG-wnFiZ5lKB6mRWOPUR7CcR2i3e11ovnQGh1m1TrtpYsLkZJBn-1GmkeZzI-5VTRl0TU6yy1efQKrMBtY8ITnCAwI-o42k3Irm3x07CY4xC6fXmY7tbMMghkgPulppOQfwtYq9tzCsrMe9dzkJmjESw4dfHtS9Jv39Sqy7wI1Zan6Q9lhU-6J/w480-h640/IMG-1123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trusting that this set of ropes is safe</div><br />We took turns edging out on a sloped rock to get a view of some of the cascades that make up the falls. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeAjo2155_G0BJuWSvwfjoOvmET_0tm-XwwdmJr2NAdQpK8rhAiGtDSffo93nmhTvlq3lwPRMXYQMzJ3VjoHGx2MMC2lEKpXtkHz0GDUw_BF_zoGrmdWeDuWZ-85FAwa1JwHP8vt_GieMcZTXqvIWhb38NRQGwaqY0Td31gd_uRQSKXSPT3phQGpWo6A7/s4032/20220929_112941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeAjo2155_G0BJuWSvwfjoOvmET_0tm-XwwdmJr2NAdQpK8rhAiGtDSffo93nmhTvlq3lwPRMXYQMzJ3VjoHGx2MMC2lEKpXtkHz0GDUw_BF_zoGrmdWeDuWZ-85FAwa1JwHP8vt_GieMcZTXqvIWhb38NRQGwaqY0Td31gd_uRQSKXSPT3phQGpWo6A7/w480-h640/20220929_112941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tipping the camera angle up to capture the cascades</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNZjnVKo2TRlQK4epvmGNAZsTNb2VjNKj8D15QalK9sLsBkrBTkkjPFBaDau6WK1wo6ctzuW-Xh_BtqsBNV2e8KXsouaIG6bzlWRoO4zWyQWf07OMDEK95xkjecqiWAe6hguxYXOQJg1dvKYkleZzEmgYUg9vFNePYwM-vRhdV6UmwFBmJL-1Oz5Utlfd/s4032/20220929_113230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNZjnVKo2TRlQK4epvmGNAZsTNb2VjNKj8D15QalK9sLsBkrBTkkjPFBaDau6WK1wo6ctzuW-Xh_BtqsBNV2e8KXsouaIG6bzlWRoO4zWyQWf07OMDEK95xkjecqiWAe6hguxYXOQJg1dvKYkleZzEmgYUg9vFNePYwM-vRhdV6UmwFBmJL-1Oz5Utlfd/w480-h640/20220929_113230.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tipping the angle down to include the nearest chute</div><br />Whoever goes down the rope must go back up, no photos, it wasn’t pretty. I breathed a sigh of relief when we got back on the main trail. We backtracked up the logging road, agreeing that we didn’t have time to investigate the smaller waterfalls along the way to High Falls. Since there was no trail signage or blazes, we relied again on the GPS to get to the correct turn, then walked about half a mile to the drop to the river’s edge.<br /><br />We certainly could hear the waterfall, but it was partially obscured around a bend. Nothing to do but wade in the water around a few big boulders…and there she was, in dappled shadow, a rooster tail spurting midway down the slide.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOhHfbacM91ijuQ248ckic7NW8CgHS9F8-ib0oLO1EcDBdeb-W8LXYecoOfN0Dneikzzx5fm1ce4HT-PAFOeKLAK6_W6StNHieFSNIeZc7GjlWdtCj4PykjeJmwoAlOyNP-3upG7DcVB6F4rKZU8Bs1w12QHSDU-yOCA3a6MbPM5eZPA-uvWc3lPY6GE7/s4032/20220929_135432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOhHfbacM91ijuQ248ckic7NW8CgHS9F8-ib0oLO1EcDBdeb-W8LXYecoOfN0Dneikzzx5fm1ce4HT-PAFOeKLAK6_W6StNHieFSNIeZc7GjlWdtCj4PykjeJmwoAlOyNP-3upG7DcVB6F4rKZU8Bs1w12QHSDU-yOCA3a6MbPM5eZPA-uvWc3lPY6GE7/w480-h640/20220929_135432.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3buv354uD3RkwNTSN-eOC5uod7fDgbYS6c5ObjwHtv_JUPEsFpmB5ouh8K81fjcKJTnemAG7CPp0TbElOd4EeTkidKWxM5E-FZeVKDwVELbCk5IEU-6G_CkqVDUIPWGhKZjBEY5rP-ENnh4wPf-005I-jhpM8gaw8oI1FOxOKGiJvL0JA904tTTokeqDe/s3628/IMG-1124.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="2486" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3buv354uD3RkwNTSN-eOC5uod7fDgbYS6c5ObjwHtv_JUPEsFpmB5ouh8K81fjcKJTnemAG7CPp0TbElOd4EeTkidKWxM5E-FZeVKDwVELbCk5IEU-6G_CkqVDUIPWGhKZjBEY5rP-ENnh4wPf-005I-jhpM8gaw8oI1FOxOKGiJvL0JA904tTTokeqDe/w438-h640/IMG-1124.1.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><p>My feet were already wet, so I might as well wade further into the pool and stand in the water that was on its way downstream to become Big Falls. Everything is connected.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop,<br /> a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole."<br /> ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-4307457405319988822023-10-14T14:04:00.004-04:002023-10-17T16:53:25.620-04:00Waterfall 100 Challenge: Wintergreen Falls<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Waterfall 100 Challenge: Wintergreen Falls – 9/28/22 - 10.7 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKceGhgwWkrhrVDGeBmdhXw-1In7Lq8cALnr1z72pclTY4T_Vd_NqvO1japEdGqzm5fi9KHVY1RPxRb-HjL2OLDQre5FoQa6tUOq2s6DMrwfHbjtvzVQwVOXUMXjEP6xZAJm1oDx9Frepc27FYZmNrV0AKNi7RfiRWwxxnK8NmTsOhd5cgI0Ti_xRJkYx/s2592/20220928_110318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2592" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKceGhgwWkrhrVDGeBmdhXw-1In7Lq8cALnr1z72pclTY4T_Vd_NqvO1japEdGqzm5fi9KHVY1RPxRb-HjL2OLDQre5FoQa6tUOq2s6DMrwfHbjtvzVQwVOXUMXjEP6xZAJm1oDx9Frepc27FYZmNrV0AKNi7RfiRWwxxnK8NmTsOhd5cgI0Ti_xRJkYx/w640-h360/20220928_110318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My husband is a very agreeable guy. How many exploratory hiking trips has he said “yes” to? Here we go on another waterfall escapade…or two…on my list.<br /><br />We made a rare mid-week excursion to get ahead of Hurricane Ian passing through western North Carolina, and booked an Airbnb in Brevard, a great home base to access hundreds (yes, hundreds) of waterfalls in western North Carolina. <br /><br />First up: Wintergreen Falls, deep in Gorges State Park (not the one in DuPont State Forest!) <br /><br />I can only surmise that this waterfall has been on Carolina Mountain Club's <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/26/page/wc100"><span style="color: red;">WC100 Challenge</span></a> list for years prior to the closing of Auger Hole Road. What used to be a 4-mile round trip hike is now 10+ miles, and my guess is that visitation has dropped dramatically over the years. <i>[Note: Jim was not feeling well, endured this hike with a grimace, but he did it! My hero.]<br /><br /></i>The hike reports I’ve read about Wintergreen Falls are intimidating, some successful, some not. What begins as an easy hike on an old forest road becomes a very difficult bushwhack. My favorite trip report person writes <a href="https://www.dwhike.com/Hikes-in-the-South/North-Carolina-Hikes/North-Carolina-State-Park/Gorges-Wintergreen-Chub-Line/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about his hike some years ago.<br /><br />“Auger Hole Trail was once a road, so maybe we could speed this whole thing up by biking it,” said the naïve person (me) with a vested interest in completing the hike. You can't determine the condition of an old forest road until you get on it, but the elevation change didn’t look too bad - just 3 miles on Auger Hole to connect to the Wintergreen Trail! We parked at the trailhead, saddled up and hit the trail.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNBfLKPhyphenhyphenkUMpvUOdV8CoTxxUZSh2hxdaZa8P9QW9kQ6H8x2QrefHvRZjt8pRrBU2NrUO4V2FGOsbMG5y6dTYiFegwIM3auTJn9TQBe92wLpyiuHNcSRU4s5ucfNZtkR2pFzj31yxxwvW700QdCaCACgLzjtgLQz4jUCE3zSWoqSa_MCvBOj4E3850MtQ/s4032/20220928_110443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNBfLKPhyphenhyphenkUMpvUOdV8CoTxxUZSh2hxdaZa8P9QW9kQ6H8x2QrefHvRZjt8pRrBU2NrUO4V2FGOsbMG5y6dTYiFegwIM3auTJn9TQBe92wLpyiuHNcSRU4s5ucfNZtkR2pFzj31yxxwvW700QdCaCACgLzjtgLQz4jUCE3zSWoqSa_MCvBOj4E3850MtQ/w480-h640/20220928_110443.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost immediately we hit our first obstacle</div><br />Fortunately, this was the only bridge. The condition of the road wasn’t bad, no serious blowdowns or potholes, but who was I kidding? Jim is a cycling machine and can power through any terrain, but the elevation changes were more than I could manage consistently. (In my defense, we were loaded down with daypacks and hiking poles.) After about 1.5 miles of me walking my bike up the steeper hills, we decided to continue on foot. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEF0F3moLe4-tHKro_iqg9aXoBnJ1gwSoFmqvrJS146RAKMusCqjFzrb80gjOSTXliB07m4D3t9DumGWnqSLM4oTH-5BPqKX_Ihye5lEolMKths9Fz2D_YVPk5ZBsT66GHqPXr1BvY99GhbnQk2PHfGLkIxmOQRnC2xTCbpZH3n20krZufZn6KP0URtQr/s4032/20220928_113614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEF0F3moLe4-tHKro_iqg9aXoBnJ1gwSoFmqvrJS146RAKMusCqjFzrb80gjOSTXliB07m4D3t9DumGWnqSLM4oTH-5BPqKX_Ihye5lEolMKths9Fz2D_YVPk5ZBsT66GHqPXr1BvY99GhbnQk2PHfGLkIxmOQRnC2xTCbpZH3n20krZufZn6KP0URtQr/w480-h640/20220928_113614.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We chained the bikes to a tree (pretty sure nobody else would be coming along)<br /> and walked the next 2 miles on Auger Hole Trail. </div><br />Now that we're on foot, let's look at some fall flowers.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXgcCnrEpbBLy3K7rUUTGO2-gU6Rrx5ka7OeugXo1wrxXLiLUvSV5YcpGmlA9gVHY3NiqW5eLkNVB36EXix3EeIr3tCu5lAlGKnw0NULR3wI1YKOdriIPy1g2_LElDqzS8nOENjA3wC5k9QcNmySwgCwlMHaXJzNR_jFvoGxm4CUqbksXkwwz_Y0CdifC/s1729/20220928_114940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="1623" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXgcCnrEpbBLy3K7rUUTGO2-gU6Rrx5ka7OeugXo1wrxXLiLUvSV5YcpGmlA9gVHY3NiqW5eLkNVB36EXix3EeIr3tCu5lAlGKnw0NULR3wI1YKOdriIPy1g2_LElDqzS8nOENjA3wC5k9QcNmySwgCwlMHaXJzNR_jFvoGxm4CUqbksXkwwz_Y0CdifC/w600-h640/20220928_114940.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac07ZrmatvE7694JeFIUqXjDLnK1rvmHsL9oJd85-8nJH-tQ_rGZLkjC1fNu_HD06WOfzr6t8rniNELdysydyUShBj6izDk4kCU3bpASrwX1OAFX_e_ujt_9RZ4aRYRYAW9dtC94RHl8CqKKbF96PhMDGxUZu5DKWKuhTw05DAGavB3F9uCPxQFT3ihXt/s1231/20220928_121229.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1209" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac07ZrmatvE7694JeFIUqXjDLnK1rvmHsL9oJd85-8nJH-tQ_rGZLkjC1fNu_HD06WOfzr6t8rniNELdysydyUShBj6izDk4kCU3bpASrwX1OAFX_e_ujt_9RZ4aRYRYAW9dtC94RHl8CqKKbF96PhMDGxUZu5DKWKuhTw05DAGavB3F9uCPxQFT3ihXt/w628-h640/20220928_121229.1.jpg" width="628" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzhkFr3ngOvudYGUz9O2nG_dukI5N5U6NvAKqIJsdSc5F0LmpTNL0HAuMEGWcS-FoaHjkgvwqu2EczPmksalML4RjXhbvIOQOL4Gw1J1mKjAvoAEqYsKHLtx2EvRdnWGstqLl_tMAV9BGny8bcKBs-ALOo4yJnjOPKhkQ-it7_A6ZB4BOxzBnKs0E3jU/s2001/20220928_120848.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="2001" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzhkFr3ngOvudYGUz9O2nG_dukI5N5U6NvAKqIJsdSc5F0LmpTNL0HAuMEGWcS-FoaHjkgvwqu2EczPmksalML4RjXhbvIOQOL4Gw1J1mKjAvoAEqYsKHLtx2EvRdnWGstqLl_tMAV9BGny8bcKBs-ALOo4yJnjOPKhkQ-it7_A6ZB4BOxzBnKs0E3jU/w640-h542/20220928_120848.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRo6sjUwTkW4tJAUIHuy81EsS4j5LS8WQJh2lAaW2GYjFWLewkFo_sytjfNbDnm6SwtjgaWgqe92gTPVWIz1MR0lJcqxRW6NLncCFq7LfmLHNPR1_3dzlxUKWS50uJ6m0RztKZGPWq82zv7d1YkXYfTuQE43XZGPo-AjjIVvJCDfDsnbKS32gNHPM4rRn/s3379/20220928_154506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3379" data-original-width="2505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRo6sjUwTkW4tJAUIHuy81EsS4j5LS8WQJh2lAaW2GYjFWLewkFo_sytjfNbDnm6SwtjgaWgqe92gTPVWIz1MR0lJcqxRW6NLncCFq7LfmLHNPR1_3dzlxUKWS50uJ6m0RztKZGPWq82zv7d1YkXYfTuQE43XZGPo-AjjIVvJCDfDsnbKS32gNHPM4rRn/w474-h640/20220928_154506.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><p>Where Auger Hole Trail continues straight to cross the Toxaway River, we took a right turn onto Wintergreen Trail, a narrower old forest road. The name is misleading, as the trail doesn’t go to the waterfall, but stops at the Wintergreen campsite. It’s a nice destination, two spaces w/ picnic tables and fire rings. A few steps beyond is the Toxaway River again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcH2w7cR8Vi1gkbdk2b_VcAnq8HQheE7vR5vKJ3lWXR4wxmPccY6SEYcV-TdGKMInrPnjxIkxIKuVseRnzPBponYzZgDJan80QeNxwkokxyW4yqA5kwEE5E6O4DRAaeNAePB86TYSapyprsqmNGQUn9m99j2Q5khfaR_xD99BngIX6T3cJRx1GFUYrCd5/s4032/20220928_151854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcH2w7cR8Vi1gkbdk2b_VcAnq8HQheE7vR5vKJ3lWXR4wxmPccY6SEYcV-TdGKMInrPnjxIkxIKuVseRnzPBponYzZgDJan80QeNxwkokxyW4yqA5kwEE5E6O4DRAaeNAePB86TYSapyprsqmNGQUn9m99j2Q5khfaR_xD99BngIX6T3cJRx1GFUYrCd5/w640-h480/20220928_151854.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkxD19Eu51ctajP5nIics6jiK0Xvua8n3DGaqKfRqujeCJVbcC73rEdZ7-CtaHeRLhs39gOtVs0jjjoB6xCaYVY0Xih3Jl6ajovtur8kftQSmjKc6NWFEasUA29DL9Vvvz0EYc75A0E8T2kPxaRRmagShurNvKjfOzxk9QxhoVAR__thntQRrcZwx3G-H/s4032/20220928_130739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkxD19Eu51ctajP5nIics6jiK0Xvua8n3DGaqKfRqujeCJVbcC73rEdZ7-CtaHeRLhs39gOtVs0jjjoB6xCaYVY0Xih3Jl6ajovtur8kftQSmjKc6NWFEasUA29DL9Vvvz0EYc75A0E8T2kPxaRRmagShurNvKjfOzxk9QxhoVAR__thntQRrcZwx3G-H/w480-h640/20220928_130739.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bear box for food storage</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFxK-5IrL8mmig5G9ehXngfDC96OOuPWzMPdfaM8mhpxF0DKSqN98L9Ea3kk1Z1VspQDTCE8yvXx4s5j6rhZZitla57Xdme8dQpNv5D2kPCVz9_2Wh6-1kYiUf0Varp5gc_EytmD6zuAEFTqVlyLBaRmXLGoBaoTcQuP8tg2u4DAi6OYJyFc1JUMeAyqu/s2343/20220928_130747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="1632" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFxK-5IrL8mmig5G9ehXngfDC96OOuPWzMPdfaM8mhpxF0DKSqN98L9Ea3kk1Z1VspQDTCE8yvXx4s5j6rhZZitla57Xdme8dQpNv5D2kPCVz9_2Wh6-1kYiUf0Varp5gc_EytmD6zuAEFTqVlyLBaRmXLGoBaoTcQuP8tg2u4DAi6OYJyFc1JUMeAyqu/w446-h640/20220928_130747.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Artifact or trash?</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGgcK_b4VciJLn0_NaDZuW4UA-2O3Rg_Vs0PiBRJyaZWA12eddnHY0tohdp1jyHikuNKh6SYGrIrERwP61QR25qWNz5WztlSUkRBLS-xIBM8oSZgjl9Dp5sPssUTsE00nwv7sOk8gWy6qPfKx4ATffjWFPL_vAkpaLb-Tgx0nst3o2IWyEppPVMSueqzF/s4032/20220928_151555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGgcK_b4VciJLn0_NaDZuW4UA-2O3Rg_Vs0PiBRJyaZWA12eddnHY0tohdp1jyHikuNKh6SYGrIrERwP61QR25qWNz5WztlSUkRBLS-xIBM8oSZgjl9Dp5sPssUTsE00nwv7sOk8gWy6qPfKx4ATffjWFPL_vAkpaLb-Tgx0nst3o2IWyEppPVMSueqzF/w480-h640/20220928_151555.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Toxaway River at the campsite</div><br />Knowing that we would be doing some bushwhacking, we should have left our hiking poles at the campsite but it's hard to break that habit. From this point I had no GPS track, only some notes to help us. <i>[I was creating a GAIA track.]</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOXUhAkpJxuJmXgwGRSw9-Q1_soO2QMnnDncO6DAn_9hGelpK8FZA0ZDfDAxfh6z69vJGbftHQSpdZkRIx6BQannnYb2mlLdnIggfYTeYUjLFHyVjBv8CxKXBbrMOHJ7apqVoEOmTIJxw8Azp6PLGazqOA2SUfUViKOc-hJ_V3ZyDTwx12w9qt-MjkvRS/s4032/20220928_131237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOXUhAkpJxuJmXgwGRSw9-Q1_soO2QMnnDncO6DAn_9hGelpK8FZA0ZDfDAxfh6z69vJGbftHQSpdZkRIx6BQannnYb2mlLdnIggfYTeYUjLFHyVjBv8CxKXBbrMOHJ7apqVoEOmTIJxw8Azp6PLGazqOA2SUfUViKOc-hJ_V3ZyDTwx12w9qt-MjkvRS/w480-h640/20220928_131237.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found the beginnings of a trail following the Toxaway River upstream</div><br />For the most part, I could not see the trail but could sense it – until I couldn’t even do that. The vegetation was beginning to die back, but so much of the foliage was rhododendron and mountain laurel (which doesn’t die back) that we were feeling our way intuitively most of the time. I knew enough to keep the river on our left side and walk upstream, but I was not willing to walk in the water like some have done.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebJzHxHxoG2Twj2AGoKxL4QQF0llwbIi1ddRI_MgDFLlUA6q9oVosQvfYSEqm547fRcccpCNH1nZrIo6ZSmrZPXhPMGOdYKupbv6I7f99fZoeOtyEBUQloi11C5Aw1IYoCeT-8rCpue-GjNaEwx9dPlj7-hLnLMPdqeJUOBWPBnq_R0EK9YlaophfxuWy/s4032/20220928_132147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebJzHxHxoG2Twj2AGoKxL4QQF0llwbIi1ddRI_MgDFLlUA6q9oVosQvfYSEqm547fRcccpCNH1nZrIo6ZSmrZPXhPMGOdYKupbv6I7f99fZoeOtyEBUQloi11C5Aw1IYoCeT-8rCpue-GjNaEwx9dPlj7-hLnLMPdqeJUOBWPBnq_R0EK9YlaophfxuWy/w480-h640/20220928_132147.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The trail</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYlR0Tjo_cpwfjLiqELgWe2HM3gU14-DCUgnoT-o6pPXWqAutmFM4sDX_NLX0Xv3bqk9epV9CpcbRHWoJtyDduUevShzmpnLW18gTl-hmCTJRJr3fjPac9hCUOTjCq1ai_-Jnd0UhExMgt5fFB3SLRESAHoxvKEIOf9mg7C6II1TjRdXZ5BWMP6BxFscN/s2544/20220928_132915.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="1825" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYlR0Tjo_cpwfjLiqELgWe2HM3gU14-DCUgnoT-o6pPXWqAutmFM4sDX_NLX0Xv3bqk9epV9CpcbRHWoJtyDduUevShzmpnLW18gTl-hmCTJRJr3fjPac9hCUOTjCq1ai_-Jnd0UhExMgt5fFB3SLRESAHoxvKEIOf9mg7C6II1TjRdXZ5BWMP6BxFscN/w460-h640/20220928_132915.1.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you follow me here?</div><br />At one point a huge boulder outcropping came close to a sheer edge and we had to scramble up and over and around it. I’d read about this in others’ writings so was not surprised and actually felt some assurance at being on track.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzt9kGZV2bqQzV6zYi530T1Itp29GZhwwa_XCMxY35xStB2e4E417UtybsHl4y8O1UzD4C-akCbXRUVSWm4KYKfIacOsb3H7Vr5YwqDYEvTsKEDe9G8YNAkXJN8pBbWfc_C-frAicSgZd8XCkcvzEk_AvDuauTTKCZapqU1g0jqbx3iPAuhN-7Dw-vw9H/s4032/20220928_145118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzt9kGZV2bqQzV6zYi530T1Itp29GZhwwa_XCMxY35xStB2e4E417UtybsHl4y8O1UzD4C-akCbXRUVSWm4KYKfIacOsb3H7Vr5YwqDYEvTsKEDe9G8YNAkXJN8pBbWfc_C-frAicSgZd8XCkcvzEk_AvDuauTTKCZapqU1g0jqbx3iPAuhN-7Dw-vw9H/w480-h640/20220928_145118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An unnamed waterfall, not ours, but it sure is pretty</div><br />We reached Panther Branch (yay!), easy enough to rock hop across. We followed a brief series of faded pink flagging tape that abruptly ended. The faint trail seemed to continue rising until we reached a point where we were stumped. Had we wandered toward some dead end that others had also followed? We retraced our steps, but the only way forward was incredibly steep down in the direction of the river, nothing to hold onto. Once I slid so far down that I stopped only by putting my feet out to hit the trunk of a tree. <br /><br />Jim and I sat there for some time, debating our options. I thought I could hear big water, maybe Wintergreen Falls, but we were probably about a quarter of a mile away. Looking at the GAIA track later, it appeared that we progressed about a quarter of a mile from the Panther Branch crossing in 1.5 hours.<br /><br />Ultimately we decided that neither of us had the skills to go forward, and we turned around. The return to the campsite seemed short (20 minutes?) From there it was 3.5 miles back to the bikes, and 1.5 miles getting the bikes back to the car. Jim was able to ride his, while I rode some and pushed some. This was my physical low point, tired from the bushwhacking.<br /><br />I was extremely disappointed not to reach Wintergreen Falls, but we had made our very best effort and safety is the most important thing.<br /><br />We drove back to Brevard, had no energy for eating dinner out, so we hit up Ingles for provisions and found our little Airbnb. Somehow I had missed the detail that it only had portable heaters, but the chilly night was great for sleeping after a long adventure in the woods. Tomorrow is another day!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ARh3rsBu6ojXyBv4AlOdnXETlZCmSac4l5wwidES8Tf9Kr66TJtN8HpZBIvya5YA1XQx2jV2sOkgm6n37rER2FZjI-3C6i_LELPXUkUivBGz4hjwrOu3OjEp0YjSAmLGDGrghw7y2Kigt0JDpbgzQbXsKbVFkgDdgnNvqi1Ybh2toyl62DpNjFt7MGih/s4032/20220928_174606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ARh3rsBu6ojXyBv4AlOdnXETlZCmSac4l5wwidES8Tf9Kr66TJtN8HpZBIvya5YA1XQx2jV2sOkgm6n37rER2FZjI-3C6i_LELPXUkUivBGz4hjwrOu3OjEp0YjSAmLGDGrghw7y2Kigt0JDpbgzQbXsKbVFkgDdgnNvqi1Ybh2toyl62DpNjFt7MGih/w480-h640/20220928_174606.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“A river doesn’t just carry water, it carries life.” ~Amit Kalantri</i></span></p><div><br /></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-86078487507933005752023-09-27T16:07:00.001-04:002023-09-27T16:07:28.033-04:00Colorado 2022: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - North Rim<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado 2022: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – North Rim<br />8/12/22 - 4 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBYJ7t113GCTOVnxhF2fubcRdn20W0FBspbMq6VVQxw2OBQRk4dKgJKTkHhxcXac1z2JApYIdso7iaJird8eMwDiSYMY4xZu94WJc98hwwFighYt98SbV1KmefbjDyjR3qHWjGbt8e1IDA-991QXeKkAmxG2zwET0aoHj_koTuS8lkIln-rQmBijvb-1T/s2448/20220812_065557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBYJ7t113GCTOVnxhF2fubcRdn20W0FBspbMq6VVQxw2OBQRk4dKgJKTkHhxcXac1z2JApYIdso7iaJird8eMwDiSYMY4xZu94WJc98hwwFighYt98SbV1KmefbjDyjR3qHWjGbt8e1IDA-991QXeKkAmxG2zwET0aoHj_koTuS8lkIln-rQmBijvb-1T/w592-h640/20220812_065557.jpg" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Coffee and calm on the south patio as the sun rises</span></div><p>Jim and I felt conflicted: stay and enjoy this early morning serenity or get out and meet the day? Beating the heat on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/northrim.htm"><span style="color: red;">North Rim</span></a> prompted us to get moving. <br /><br />Yes, BLCA’s North Rim is remote, but don’t skip it – in my opinion, the most dramatic views of the Gunnison River are from the north side and getting there is a worthwhile experience. Pavement ended and gravel took over at the Park boundary as we approached the ranger station on Mesa Inclinado (great name, right?) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK965fBjRItMFosPUyx64RDnQCscOycRdJOeWWh1NzTuRrM-QgG8HK5a6aoERojXoWgbqHRJPjgD-487tSErArMQ6TDigP8DaQqI0VGHzYNM1f-wsaDnZgkUmGCVxneKXE2r6sJRdT-hmihNKw9qXIdWzMF2zBeypnI2mnPZB6FnY5chIiE4BaS8rbTDp/s4032/20220812_091819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK965fBjRItMFosPUyx64RDnQCscOycRdJOeWWh1NzTuRrM-QgG8HK5a6aoERojXoWgbqHRJPjgD-487tSErArMQ6TDigP8DaQqI0VGHzYNM1f-wsaDnZgkUmGCVxneKXE2r6sJRdT-hmihNKw9qXIdWzMF2zBeypnI2mnPZB6FnY5chIiE4BaS8rbTDp/w640-h360/20220812_091819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>[Note: There are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon. However, there are several unmarked scramble routes from the North Rim and a wilderness permit is required to go into the canyon. Be aware that what goes down must come back up! <i>Read more <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/nr-routes.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about this undertaking and please act responsibly.</i>]<br /><br />The temperature was 70 degrees, very comfortable, so before the heat took over we hiked the North Vista Trail from the ranger station to Exclamation Point, about 3 miles round trip, staying on top of the mesa. <i>The trail continues to Green Mountain, 7 miles round trip.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdvzmYCO1pzlYgtpCr5DdkalN6iVEb9vNrCqZL4352Rj5YI36xC6FC0TBsXe3HwPLrH2iaVFmpprS8-Bf5ikCrfkIAwroyf19ydJIjaQbtQUdJBrVmehO2Vpe9MJerjvDPVaYlsTlLfFi3MlYlvqvIRYclpOKcrm1QwT970qSezGrQl7irDE5hzVS_4jI/s4032/20220812_093554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdvzmYCO1pzlYgtpCr5DdkalN6iVEb9vNrCqZL4352Rj5YI36xC6FC0TBsXe3HwPLrH2iaVFmpprS8-Bf5ikCrfkIAwroyf19ydJIjaQbtQUdJBrVmehO2Vpe9MJerjvDPVaYlsTlLfFi3MlYlvqvIRYclpOKcrm1QwT970qSezGrQl7irDE5hzVS_4jI/w640-h360/20220812_093554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The trail passes through sagebrush, oak scrub, pinyon pine and juniper, with one good viewpoint to the South Rim where the Gunnison River makes its 90-degree elbow turn to the right. The canyon’s walls are so steep and close together that we couldn’t see down to the water.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns4GTkal2vS8HsVi-J2KEGFAWAEWooHJLrUEKheVmehVhtjX6su1l3G9KYBYccQ8O4N1DmkImcQ_icLCTOLfQLupo8z9gfUMVvLwZnLwG2wFrBMN6PQNjFiWfgAjpGeDLH4vWzQkylfFk-fM7Mjp_4bjWDfy4jLjsYHzPUuoF6n7GGEHajrr-uvIb_x28/s4032/20220812_095105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns4GTkal2vS8HsVi-J2KEGFAWAEWooHJLrUEKheVmehVhtjX6su1l3G9KYBYccQ8O4N1DmkImcQ_icLCTOLfQLupo8z9gfUMVvLwZnLwG2wFrBMN6PQNjFiWfgAjpGeDLH4vWzQkylfFk-fM7Mjp_4bjWDfy4jLjsYHzPUuoF6n7GGEHajrr-uvIb_x28/w640-h360/20220812_095105.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3ucsAwh4FxnmpQvgfTIfB7u6IeORx_6erZRLEIlU7bICgNOYJyweYRmeugHSSXCHpR-URXPX0WI5MyhuX9FCIoVF_Tb025HWcrrpTfsFzkFkGA_-fkX1FXYY_6q_TpugYfmIBh-5mf0fugMs_dBS0qf8R9R-LbZ3_zheSnrbF1sUchTB_xSo1LbEp3th/s4032/20220812_101020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3ucsAwh4FxnmpQvgfTIfB7u6IeORx_6erZRLEIlU7bICgNOYJyweYRmeugHSSXCHpR-URXPX0WI5MyhuX9FCIoVF_Tb025HWcrrpTfsFzkFkGA_-fkX1FXYY_6q_TpugYfmIBh-5mf0fugMs_dBS0qf8R9R-LbZ3_zheSnrbF1sUchTB_xSo1LbEp3th/w360-h640/20220812_101020.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something has been a-scratchin’</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_UUGx882ZNzdhbCPY6wNU34JiDcSr0Iun-COi5HZeguTKADaIiqLIdeNKCAwWa6ppQlnpGsggPqBixCffbN2krthmdzHjWbV2b7kmJ6SDIqcNB9D3PMYvNS7oeHTxoYIrMfoNUsjdaXEBxZMkcpKmVjoEGR4yRLkOxY6ltSmO9evYx070mvRN57rEkNu/s4032/20220812_101448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_UUGx882ZNzdhbCPY6wNU34JiDcSr0Iun-COi5HZeguTKADaIiqLIdeNKCAwWa6ppQlnpGsggPqBixCffbN2krthmdzHjWbV2b7kmJ6SDIqcNB9D3PMYvNS7oeHTxoYIrMfoNUsjdaXEBxZMkcpKmVjoEGR4yRLkOxY6ltSmO9evYx070mvRN57rEkNu/w360-h640/20220812_101448.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So far we’re the first humans out this morning (rabbits were active but hard to photograph)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Zbw0tceL64YG4Xh5bhmIfhlRj8vDi5y0NGAXZ__K7pqY4CHFNoOZcrVQ1U0gj_dhHnhWCH-9-URBJRuL349_41SqDaP7XX6kPTgpb60HkFS8b_-2IoNBbm9zvAFt_roGFeiGnTprTaveHWRTeiLFBh4ZEUn73CZdcXdxiyn7GXHfrFjDA3jskheApAU/s1080/thumbnail%20(15).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Zbw0tceL64YG4Xh5bhmIfhlRj8vDi5y0NGAXZ__K7pqY4CHFNoOZcrVQ1U0gj_dhHnhWCH-9-URBJRuL349_41SqDaP7XX6kPTgpb60HkFS8b_-2IoNBbm9zvAFt_roGFeiGnTprTaveHWRTeiLFBh4ZEUn73CZdcXdxiyn7GXHfrFjDA3jskheApAU/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(15).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MK8zjkqMfO2TDtxJmBdNQwPQcySROYVZfXmBHAn9X9vuqTqFLQL0MPuD7X4DDEXo9vG-pjKJwRHSRpniXWGs0iWTyX0ZqWxctLr6ym4cR4VboGsW8TY3jvp_4R1IP6Kogp-9EcNOxB2hXzeVSlRVvHq0qlT6_OfyziZ47hxmAO055flnJZO4K0hptqay/s1080/thumbnail%20(16).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MK8zjkqMfO2TDtxJmBdNQwPQcySROYVZfXmBHAn9X9vuqTqFLQL0MPuD7X4DDEXo9vG-pjKJwRHSRpniXWGs0iWTyX0ZqWxctLr6ym4cR4VboGsW8TY3jvp_4R1IP6Kogp-9EcNOxB2hXzeVSlRVvHq0qlT6_OfyziZ47hxmAO055flnJZO4K0hptqay/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(16).jpeg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLRtn2Q4CXWDkercEL0Frqe9Vfy8004tUpF4YV7BmL_3U_WMNNGOac9SSm0oRMsY5wz35pyudxp3tthluyecKOP_slkpZBvKkcLKQ8y5G5wM6D9VCa9NnrNI8X8I5wXWZrBj1RywofwdJEvhL-5s4gJMf14f69WRR_a7v4UroV_mBInyAjAcUZJIN_u1l/s3945/20220812_103852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3945" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLRtn2Q4CXWDkercEL0Frqe9Vfy8004tUpF4YV7BmL_3U_WMNNGOac9SSm0oRMsY5wz35pyudxp3tthluyecKOP_slkpZBvKkcLKQ8y5G5wM6D9VCa9NnrNI8X8I5wXWZrBj1RywofwdJEvhL-5s4gJMf14f69WRR_a7v4UroV_mBInyAjAcUZJIN_u1l/w368-h640/20220812_103852.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Exclamation Point (7,702 feet elevation)</div><p>This is directly across from the Painted Wall View where we stood yesterday. It’s difficult to get depth perception with the shadows of the morning sun. <br /><br />Stillness, no breeze – wait, do you hear the susurration of water flowing 2,000 feet below? The power of nature. Breathe in, breathe out. <br /><br />After backtracking to the trailhead, we drove to the North Rim Campground to walk the half-mile Chasm View Trail, which is directly across the canyon from the South Rim’s Chasm View Trail. Between these two “chasm views” is the narrowest point of the canyon at river level – 40 feet! <i>That’s about the width of a city street in Manhattan, with skyscrapers on both sides.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEgFdkvLIpYEX-6ZWPsxJGXnl0utrg5UBZsr8VXW3HvH9m6sRNvO_QqwtshtVIwOd7ZUTNXDYd7uiL9coIC9ZN1V2bfcm47IfFhqTLg1i4f5iekaBV3omrjRc_RWjPdTMnO_lY1fI1KwfVTVXAS0boclf784OaGkWzw5liCzXJ84mzLYxQ5nXKSwkZJJP/s4032/20220812_112428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEgFdkvLIpYEX-6ZWPsxJGXnl0utrg5UBZsr8VXW3HvH9m6sRNvO_QqwtshtVIwOd7ZUTNXDYd7uiL9coIC9ZN1V2bfcm47IfFhqTLg1i4f5iekaBV3omrjRc_RWjPdTMnO_lY1fI1KwfVTVXAS0boclf784OaGkWzw5liCzXJ84mzLYxQ5nXKSwkZJJP/w360-h640/20220812_112428.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrWVqDbROuqiFNyQBk-WhJGd9dQPELHlG8kIGHlbLI8TsJdhCLSfPJO2V4lFM9qi5iid7fp4bGmI0p_PZMrAkRhMCHfBx2l4g-jJq7RvubIalozg6La5qnvnmdPNdp_8b7kaZf2v679rXNj6FOQZSJBX3NVIPlesq8K8LQXiDw_lqhbfrUFe7PX5e3Epn/s4032/20220812_113349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrWVqDbROuqiFNyQBk-WhJGd9dQPELHlG8kIGHlbLI8TsJdhCLSfPJO2V4lFM9qi5iid7fp4bGmI0p_PZMrAkRhMCHfBx2l4g-jJq7RvubIalozg6La5qnvnmdPNdp_8b7kaZf2v679rXNj6FOQZSJBX3NVIPlesq8K8LQXiDw_lqhbfrUFe7PX5e3Epn/w360-h640/20220812_113349.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A jaw-dropping vantage point of the turn in the river as it flows downstream<br /> past the Painted Wall</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I9CnStOpaU7Xtd82HfzKVrGJSkZttWX6Dszw245P73Y8Mulmy-zATBs4Dx1uIsFBCAavTXIboGdEI2zwvEFFnUOaKUHq43SO9RLahBS7WargbxCsujEyuyMNmAnQ4TgLsF4vx3y-fBNuc0Kpc9dsjorQy4kAz1J8K3oMbUOjJZiIZW6w8ySLbBkDIwOT/s4032/20220812_113436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I9CnStOpaU7Xtd82HfzKVrGJSkZttWX6Dszw245P73Y8Mulmy-zATBs4Dx1uIsFBCAavTXIboGdEI2zwvEFFnUOaKUHq43SO9RLahBS7WargbxCsujEyuyMNmAnQ4TgLsF4vx3y-fBNuc0Kpc9dsjorQy4kAz1J8K3oMbUOjJZiIZW6w8ySLbBkDIwOT/w640-h360/20220812_113436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Painted Wall as seen from Chasm View North Rim</div><br />Have you made your plans to visit BLCA yet?<br /><br />We made our way along the rest of the North Rim Road, stopping at all viewpoints including the Narrows, Balanced Rock, Big Island, Island Peaks & Kneeling Camel. <i>[Some were less photogenic than others.]</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vUhxbsIE0JAT0iTeTvNAwUvwNS33q73zoQhj6SFETE6Q4oMKG4cSKuGqUIXFQCFK4DJUd6EtDO7ImtOgpuLRvGErq47XkCaoG90VIiEKBjgWF2eIdu1sT3Eq6AZpduKLMesfXoPqOqzFP0pOxIM_UkiJrBxisTGre-ejE4wUb1CYTo923DbxIdXBU9aa/s3676/20220812_114436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vUhxbsIE0JAT0iTeTvNAwUvwNS33q73zoQhj6SFETE6Q4oMKG4cSKuGqUIXFQCFK4DJUd6EtDO7ImtOgpuLRvGErq47XkCaoG90VIiEKBjgWF2eIdu1sT3Eq6AZpduKLMesfXoPqOqzFP0pOxIM_UkiJrBxisTGre-ejE4wUb1CYTo923DbxIdXBU9aa/w394-h640/20220812_114436.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Balanced Rock</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxAmaTlOhdo8Q3L_GB9Gwh0YcgGBu0sm6IMu8kFVFJhVjPPcgP-sqE9OGyuTKTb7esPdF9iVEirIiP-m2n5ueJtSbArrKbCwS0s1XtTCUFnAYyG1E8rLpcv8DjcnWJdCQCP5uvxAfDhLSodjnJSKukcoso61wRFhIRkbjTfqaZGpfI36flmVEw3V0hPbT/s1080/thumbnail%20(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxAmaTlOhdo8Q3L_GB9Gwh0YcgGBu0sm6IMu8kFVFJhVjPPcgP-sqE9OGyuTKTb7esPdF9iVEirIiP-m2n5ueJtSbArrKbCwS0s1XtTCUFnAYyG1E8rLpcv8DjcnWJdCQCP5uvxAfDhLSodjnJSKukcoso61wRFhIRkbjTfqaZGpfI36flmVEw3V0hPbT/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(3).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you see the Kneeling Camel?</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp3ub-_NbZ55c4qpKKX4DG_NMo1yAWd2v-bgNXK73x43kmpvPMCLrOFBArb1txhL-u6iTC8X3iSzdTwc0ZX9BBuMQMS95ZxSEBVyB9t1I2gihr6f-GQpGC7Fsc-GECCoB1_mDio5yAhkJmgvtoNhzwCZoAhDBbeOHPSvoYpP-esD1042RSCL50JFYyfHG/s2697/20220812_121007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp3ub-_NbZ55c4qpKKX4DG_NMo1yAWd2v-bgNXK73x43kmpvPMCLrOFBArb1txhL-u6iTC8X3iSzdTwc0ZX9BBuMQMS95ZxSEBVyB9t1I2gihr6f-GQpGC7Fsc-GECCoB1_mDio5yAhkJmgvtoNhzwCZoAhDBbeOHPSvoYpP-esD1042RSCL50JFYyfHG/w536-h640/20220812_121007.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting a closer look</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBnfcLXGWR1LTvGDgzZkWIcEoGqVU2Cz3P2LC0NEUwPFRdlncX2U5x3WNaor27T1DQImC1AbJy4tFtomHGLLwhDhSouTKKlaD0MPN7X1B1InYHwmnVQuRqpj0ahJLRkHAwqXPjgODVkyKdoqFV_T1gtsADd7EzzuaeAZNGkR82iccAu7Zm6LUEetfeHiI/s1080/thumbnail%20(10).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBnfcLXGWR1LTvGDgzZkWIcEoGqVU2Cz3P2LC0NEUwPFRdlncX2U5x3WNaor27T1DQImC1AbJy4tFtomHGLLwhDhSouTKKlaD0MPN7X1B1InYHwmnVQuRqpj0ahJLRkHAwqXPjgODVkyKdoqFV_T1gtsADd7EzzuaeAZNGkR82iccAu7Zm6LUEetfeHiI/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(10).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Island Peaks</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyCPtX6EIVutH2ERbCbG4A0-flBYe06MqyTuwR9DLuIhLYeBiVJaym58pyI0Bn-nlNk_ydrzJYq4tXzbTJCK7F0Yo69xBTLeDk3s79AAXpLNBq6MnszspVJfMu8JAJoKRDEwhZCAqDoMCkJsElecyVCEsHxUmfVnBopgO3p1AS2M25A9O-1_RsPK3CM0l/s1080/thumbnail%20(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyCPtX6EIVutH2ERbCbG4A0-flBYe06MqyTuwR9DLuIhLYeBiVJaym58pyI0Bn-nlNk_ydrzJYq4tXzbTJCK7F0Yo69xBTLeDk3s79AAXpLNBq6MnszspVJfMu8JAJoKRDEwhZCAqDoMCkJsElecyVCEsHxUmfVnBopgO3p1AS2M25A9O-1_RsPK3CM0l/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(5).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking downstream again – the rim looks flat as a board</div><br />Jim and I left the North Rim satisfied that we had seen and done all we wanted, an unhurried day that was much needed. <i>Bonus: as we were heading out of the Park, Jim saw a bobcat cross the road!</i> I caught a glimpse of its tawny-colored hind end as it disappeared into the brush.<br /><br />What to do next? A much-anticipated visit to <a href="https://www.bigbs.com/"><span style="color: red;">Big B’s Delicious Orchards</span></a>! Y’all know I love cider. Not only can pick your own apples and buy produce from the farm stand, you can sample flights of ciders made on the premises (or drink a whole lot of your favorite one), swing on the rope swings, and listen to live music. You could plan an entire vacation based around their concert schedule. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGiMPFfNc0lH-usO4ciLCBRqcSmqSfIaO_B1KPtpzBQb-hSHd5TfWzLMnUOgbCG0ptI9VJIG_JmnVOGrZG7lMw75CPei2_GjUMF9vzwukSs_0RQjWRsUVi7kvBtpCPtuwXmJq-9qwGFm6cOoy13AXSRj6-npS1CtlTzi-d19C__w6mhzJY-00f0iMm6nd/s2333/20220812_135453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2333" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGiMPFfNc0lH-usO4ciLCBRqcSmqSfIaO_B1KPtpzBQb-hSHd5TfWzLMnUOgbCG0ptI9VJIG_JmnVOGrZG7lMw75CPei2_GjUMF9vzwukSs_0RQjWRsUVi7kvBtpCPtuwXmJq-9qwGFm6cOoy13AXSRj6-npS1CtlTzi-d19C__w6mhzJY-00f0iMm6nd/w620-h640/20220812_135453.jpg" width="620" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLMAoIKitAZGth4PJAfbVTWrlC5p41aO5SRapxw2tD8tDhKCTBFsjXXLIZJbnDMgFU2HdDLIzmxA8Ru674RlTeTnAEZ53wppEe9fjVO1HkHuQoTbMPWQHiZ_zQ8N41wIz8lp99qW8kddA4-Kg0Rivyw_pgxKwmAdIREZTbnc4BPYvYFCOKNFq2ByNkeUO/s1080/thumbnail.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLMAoIKitAZGth4PJAfbVTWrlC5p41aO5SRapxw2tD8tDhKCTBFsjXXLIZJbnDMgFU2HdDLIzmxA8Ru674RlTeTnAEZ53wppEe9fjVO1HkHuQoTbMPWQHiZ_zQ8N41wIz8lp99qW8kddA4-Kg0Rivyw_pgxKwmAdIREZTbnc4BPYvYFCOKNFq2ByNkeUO/w640-h480/thumbnail.jpeg" width="640" /></a>A Porsche car rally made a pit stop at Big B’s</div><p>We were a little early for the music, but we chilled out with cider and sweet potato fries and people watched until I needed a nap.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS23UT0P6ydJUXaEu6vDGIwvEXcF4pTtvZHZSUAPYl8OHAA6uL4QRHOmFwqKqmVvOikZZTy7-SNe34hBqb7N7yULKs-8QFwo416YpnrNyoGTufHublyXcRrvxO5ezKX7xKB7_G8Kn1CIzXRavUJHASggrMD-yPD3cE1T8R9ljZrJUSpsdkdfXNX2wZpyWf/s1080/thumbnail%20(6).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS23UT0P6ydJUXaEu6vDGIwvEXcF4pTtvZHZSUAPYl8OHAA6uL4QRHOmFwqKqmVvOikZZTy7-SNe34hBqb7N7yULKs-8QFwo416YpnrNyoGTufHublyXcRrvxO5ezKX7xKB7_G8Kn1CIzXRavUJHASggrMD-yPD3cE1T8R9ljZrJUSpsdkdfXNX2wZpyWf/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(6).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We returned to our tower room, turned on the A/C and enjoyed a little siesta before cleaning up for a special dinner at nearby <a href="https://www.mesawindswinery.com/"><span style="color: red;">Mesa Winds Winery</span></a> (arranged by our Airbnb host). We sat out on the veranda of this small farm-to-table restaurant and enjoyed small plates fresh from their gardens and, of course, wines from their vineyards. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaz51uE65LsgpxhIz9HmVZxxmwe7NbYj6U0IN6lh76doA8o6Sq3gKtB7nC-uCKRjZYmuFRv0vI5M_aIpZybMKWxjqxvutJK_yaYOjLOjHjeohA5RxGq8bVmPaaFPb5lxTdWS1L1h3dGsCRrRoDW_2cnOL0duXCfOx0k9qTQ6GrKN_ThuOWFA14IluSubx/s4032/20220812_190753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaz51uE65LsgpxhIz9HmVZxxmwe7NbYj6U0IN6lh76doA8o6Sq3gKtB7nC-uCKRjZYmuFRv0vI5M_aIpZybMKWxjqxvutJK_yaYOjLOjHjeohA5RxGq8bVmPaaFPb5lxTdWS1L1h3dGsCRrRoDW_2cnOL0duXCfOx0k9qTQ6GrKN_ThuOWFA14IluSubx/w640-h360/20220812_190753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA37U5Ue-BujJsq49YA39nzzrBqkCxfAeAR1UL2plpUuQvJo4kxGd88SPtUOFlT27kRatML84mkYBIRJGFgZ-Czttuie0pUNQNUbqmE_2BHgETjvJnkASTdCYlR3IHKNxdHG3eUc3z1SSu_b5qxlY7dT-PwsOjwQDoEFR-EKCedjjOBfNmrqs1V5aBuKr/s4032/20220812_190801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA37U5Ue-BujJsq49YA39nzzrBqkCxfAeAR1UL2plpUuQvJo4kxGd88SPtUOFlT27kRatML84mkYBIRJGFgZ-Czttuie0pUNQNUbqmE_2BHgETjvJnkASTdCYlR3IHKNxdHG3eUc3z1SSu_b5qxlY7dT-PwsOjwQDoEFR-EKCedjjOBfNmrqs1V5aBuKr/w360-h640/20220812_190801.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lCq7XCrUxeFI7PfXqE8dtSexjQxZ-9hOFdrfufS5qPC8c4vpMk6s2taI-UNsN3syBTIGeMg66Dri1Ncp58I6DwPTJGxlOqu89E6tpNKhuTYi05bTrF2urf9Bz9arW4vsxgFl3L9NJtPpQdK-aN1BSbIAS8XkNWguaMZMZDZYD2KdgPIul7FKjC-eQetM/s3149/20220812_183823.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="2238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lCq7XCrUxeFI7PfXqE8dtSexjQxZ-9hOFdrfufS5qPC8c4vpMk6s2taI-UNsN3syBTIGeMg66Dri1Ncp58I6DwPTJGxlOqu89E6tpNKhuTYi05bTrF2urf9Bz9arW4vsxgFl3L9NJtPpQdK-aN1BSbIAS8XkNWguaMZMZDZYD2KdgPIul7FKjC-eQetM/w454-h640/20220812_183823.1.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friends, it doesn’t get any better than this</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, wait a minute...</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBj6ZKRtcZnYIIX72CrcdiE__9d37WeIgsSER9uaNEUy2ZL40Gb0cicCopl-jNeBjCZtRWwWpQLCI9ILjjtzdTOsK6AdkpjJsowMWwCDrE556eUkqb69QXxrBhKUVM4_w7TbE75B6JGr1chvK-zkO6spQwTZORrazzcR59sj2flSXMyfDtGTksuzjc0TA/s3882/20220812_202414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="3882" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBj6ZKRtcZnYIIX72CrcdiE__9d37WeIgsSER9uaNEUy2ZL40Gb0cicCopl-jNeBjCZtRWwWpQLCI9ILjjtzdTOsK6AdkpjJsowMWwCDrE556eUkqb69QXxrBhKUVM4_w7TbE75B6JGr1chvK-zkO6spQwTZORrazzcR59sj2flSXMyfDtGTksuzjc0TA/w640-h360/20220812_202414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Write it on your heart that every day<br /> is the best day in the year.“<br /> ~Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></span></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-16658129418326119592023-09-21T19:24:00.004-04:002023-09-21T19:43:55.102-04:00Colorado 2022: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - South Rim<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: South Rim – 8/11/22 – 4.5 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWBqFFTmmR-j7WNDD9N16WKycs_YKLrrHSDElzFAeo89mmCh_XOKIFbkjV1PoZBU3w9bHcJI_r-otPJs0P3RpACK4RkbR4c4GA_xypz58npSPlqHeRdoaz040TNXt-Df761Xdrk8ObYWwGQrU2h7anJFRncDpPjIGEgCKHlps47AHOU98FHXYkrgtF7gZ/s1080/thumbnail%20(10).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWBqFFTmmR-j7WNDD9N16WKycs_YKLrrHSDElzFAeo89mmCh_XOKIFbkjV1PoZBU3w9bHcJI_r-otPJs0P3RpACK4RkbR4c4GA_xypz58npSPlqHeRdoaz040TNXt-Df761Xdrk8ObYWwGQrU2h7anJFRncDpPjIGEgCKHlps47AHOU98FHXYkrgtF7gZ/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(10).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Reluctantly Jim and I waved goodbye to Cortez, knowing we were leaving many stones unturned in the southwest corner of Colorado (including Four Corners…)<br /><br />New adventures awaited 150 miles north: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm "><span style="color: red;">Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park</span></a>. Is it weird that I’d never heard of this park until a couple of years ago? <i>BLCA was established as a national monument in 1933 but it took until 1999 to elevate it to national park status.</i> <i>Its geologic story is fascinating. Read <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/nature/geology.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about “grow, blow and flow.”<br /><br /></i>We took the scenic route starting on Highway 145, a two-lane black top following alongside the Dolores River. The tiny town of Rico showed up at the right time for a coffee refill. Main Street (the only street?) looks like a movie set of Wild West storefronts. <a href="https://www.fireweedrico.com/"><span style="color: red;">Fireweed Café & Mercantile</span></a> has something for everyone, handmade jewelry and crafts, organic artisanal treats and a hot breakfast. We sat on the patio to enjoy this unexpected pleasure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6AGKpjVzsEcFzbKSXpR7Vrpo8wh8-RzMdMQMIlLHquDSZG0K8B3Xgl_uFz6yWiU65Q-kUUdhb5G-KgbXqllk_Wnkf-gSOrPmRMH8pcU7Zfa4kb08sIbFvtLbCxPRImwwNzEYq8aZVrz8z9ZtA9k3vNFiNz3gmQdNhGsFXcn5M-ZYFFX9qzrrWhnbc2CU/s2057/20220811_091142.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="1480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6AGKpjVzsEcFzbKSXpR7Vrpo8wh8-RzMdMQMIlLHquDSZG0K8B3Xgl_uFz6yWiU65Q-kUUdhb5G-KgbXqllk_Wnkf-gSOrPmRMH8pcU7Zfa4kb08sIbFvtLbCxPRImwwNzEYq8aZVrz8z9ZtA9k3vNFiNz3gmQdNhGsFXcn5M-ZYFFX9qzrrWhnbc2CU/w460-h640/20220811_091142.1.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><p>As we drove on through narrow mountain passes and wide open spaces, we couldn’t resist frequent stops to gawk at rows of high peaks. I didn’t record most of the names, but who can forget Lizard Head Peak (13,113 feet)?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopUkgKbNu_YJOF6a6gWDcZamYU40cswmbXnEBFptU6NVvw8uBgPPFWRp2X7H4lklRA1XlLdml_dbv3qXWl-aIHibkedyk-XZ9-A42zyftEx5VkKP_FBYRwVaz46KDFuYmo-Pfwh7FWlcI1LCRT3kLNnHRiEYwuDSTi2_-sxH_XBZJynQIQqHqSD09zW7o/s814/20220811_092700.2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="563" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopUkgKbNu_YJOF6a6gWDcZamYU40cswmbXnEBFptU6NVvw8uBgPPFWRp2X7H4lklRA1XlLdml_dbv3qXWl-aIHibkedyk-XZ9-A42zyftEx5VkKP_FBYRwVaz46KDFuYmo-Pfwh7FWlcI1LCRT3kLNnHRiEYwuDSTi2_-sxH_XBZJynQIQqHqSD09zW7o/w442-h640/20220811_092700.2.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciDYgvvPNvMqkN3k92Tz_Bvqttw5dn7cIxLL44Lsd7CID39HyQfGWuYAJrSf4d1aSEToWaeBu7gdWQSdw1r9S5v6koXEbGKB8NBw-rH6ODmzXnxx66d8YAAC15jp_kUwd_Se5nmnaXwO9xa2vxbcASiLZYonddUoJwRg-bu86V65s3utl99zvxGKcqmiE/s4032/20220811_094739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciDYgvvPNvMqkN3k92Tz_Bvqttw5dn7cIxLL44Lsd7CID39HyQfGWuYAJrSf4d1aSEToWaeBu7gdWQSdw1r9S5v6koXEbGKB8NBw-rH6ODmzXnxx66d8YAAC15jp_kUwd_Se5nmnaXwO9xa2vxbcASiLZYonddUoJwRg-bu86V65s3utl99zvxGKcqmiE/w640-h360/20220811_094739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM5rD3keGIWnHw28PkqZcJ7oStzP4PUH-a0BWt0IlQZI7CtlE4GFGrHEa-p4ckTi2E3cyDK4UdlZUXdZh8iJTvB1-iCCDHReO7HB35yte68n3QzJV5amS94AOfiS9EdkXu-nUmWfDY9A0p0xpDRoA-0BjHf9j0yNgfNYCDH4W0rFHd-OmeQ0TNvB9UBUB/s4032/20220811_102757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM5rD3keGIWnHw28PkqZcJ7oStzP4PUH-a0BWt0IlQZI7CtlE4GFGrHEa-p4ckTi2E3cyDK4UdlZUXdZh8iJTvB1-iCCDHReO7HB35yte68n3QzJV5amS94AOfiS9EdkXu-nUmWfDY9A0p0xpDRoA-0BjHf9j0yNgfNYCDH4W0rFHd-OmeQ0TNvB9UBUB/w640-h360/20220811_102757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEH2XsertKXiOMtSkKdgSSJDFl8zFOSkH-FGMc6CHA8t6yYQM0uBfSGu1b8JUFc4vjdIP_4S6ESzz4jDbzRqp9hr-cQm9ma-OT1aKw9F_qixQnc23G4kpS5k3F6PVPGHEeadeh_qUoHMY-aMA8rxvFpe90XYLcNj5ES04IpVDGJ4V5BUrqn3FR6VygsA/s3292/20220811_102843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3292" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEH2XsertKXiOMtSkKdgSSJDFl8zFOSkH-FGMc6CHA8t6yYQM0uBfSGu1b8JUFc4vjdIP_4S6ESzz4jDbzRqp9hr-cQm9ma-OT1aKw9F_qixQnc23G4kpS5k3F6PVPGHEeadeh_qUoHMY-aMA8rxvFpe90XYLcNj5ES04IpVDGJ4V5BUrqn3FR6VygsA/w438-h640/20220811_102843.jpg" width="438" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1RQlahPuCK0gB1BJ7t9VLrz90G4t6wgcyvI87XRDMuFuGd6P4P47K-9o-J9yh62B-tySUYZZNE6MDuDjkJY64ymAZplmWMg3E-cRBYOWchWeiqUZBAOmFOLSru9ixsPYMU4zdJ1d1idn0c0iqYpLUI5g4Aw__mOGUTeRWhIyrSrxn8y7RVsYPWAUtKpF/s3416/20220811_161248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3416" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1RQlahPuCK0gB1BJ7t9VLrz90G4t6wgcyvI87XRDMuFuGd6P4P47K-9o-J9yh62B-tySUYZZNE6MDuDjkJY64ymAZplmWMg3E-cRBYOWchWeiqUZBAOmFOLSru9ixsPYMU4zdJ1d1idn0c0iqYpLUI5g4Aw__mOGUTeRWhIyrSrxn8y7RVsYPWAUtKpF/w640-h374/20220811_161248.jpg" width="640" /></a>And here we are!</div><p>The gorge formed by the Gunnison River is so deep and narrow that the near-vertical walls are darkened by shadows most of the day, thus the name Black Canyon. The bottom of the gorge is so inaccessible that no evidence of human occupation has been found. <i>[There is evidence of Ute people occupying the canyon rims.] <br /><br /></i>The South Rim features 12 overlooks and a few short hiking trails, but there are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon. However, there are several unmarked scramble routes and a wilderness permit is required to go into the canyon. <i>Read more <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/sr-routes.htm#:~:text=There%20are%20no%20maintained%20or,Wilderness%20Use%20Permits%20are%20required "><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about this undertaking and please act responsibly.<br /><br /></i>Jim and I decided to stick with the viewpoints along the rim. The first one, Tomichi Point, is where everyone jumps out of the car to gaze in amazement (and bathrooms!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfM1PTKd1xJccSVXPQd5zML6tcbmTGsXujgULM_3kSmU0E9DJXWkwJ9RfyJZSKqVHpe08bRQiRg5g5EVbKC8QmghkV59Xw7PndcJNV1Nm7JA_sTYYPSa75_7naI0bmh_6OKYZuI7E1yHpy0CqKspSwhWq1OnG51Ucz0PPMGMpPSpIU7xrpbrkvdHu1RLl/s4032/20220811_121337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfM1PTKd1xJccSVXPQd5zML6tcbmTGsXujgULM_3kSmU0E9DJXWkwJ9RfyJZSKqVHpe08bRQiRg5g5EVbKC8QmghkV59Xw7PndcJNV1Nm7JA_sTYYPSa75_7naI0bmh_6OKYZuI7E1yHpy0CqKspSwhWq1OnG51Ucz0PPMGMpPSpIU7xrpbrkvdHu1RLl/w640-h360/20220811_121337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivw3muIHL8_WVS8BOxC2D1GQFsjV31uvEbGXgcp6cmnX5T3ep7_OlwS6tM-fzIM8PTLiodH4BZ-xOf7IPN_By9-xdefrIvA2TIbwrr2_7RG4RKuxzHa0q7S4xsLbEKCw6o3z_HMYz2QHeF3dudAMQRvtE90MgUVqKO5QK7--j4Y_GuJbaWTgYikGvhxzC/s4032/20220811_121512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivw3muIHL8_WVS8BOxC2D1GQFsjV31uvEbGXgcp6cmnX5T3ep7_OlwS6tM-fzIM8PTLiodH4BZ-xOf7IPN_By9-xdefrIvA2TIbwrr2_7RG4RKuxzHa0q7S4xsLbEKCw6o3z_HMYz2QHeF3dudAMQRvtE90MgUVqKO5QK7--j4Y_GuJbaWTgYikGvhxzC/w360-h640/20220811_121512.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj2Y89csnDwYL4ysEBsHBiKcff2NQihMP0yevI5suWivGhMCIlh2UFt_q1qOvJfC-5eQE8gNMbq-X0lU_0BsBF8AJckSQq2OPoz42KMS-9RQ_5tkrZi14JIS58FFyHE7V_LVQWaF9TpWkY073Z1SNmyUpxHS9xRv35pIqmjBtX-aIG2fhDDsApmtsiVvr/s4032/20220811_121539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj2Y89csnDwYL4ysEBsHBiKcff2NQihMP0yevI5suWivGhMCIlh2UFt_q1qOvJfC-5eQE8gNMbq-X0lU_0BsBF8AJckSQq2OPoz42KMS-9RQ_5tkrZi14JIS58FFyHE7V_LVQWaF9TpWkY073Z1SNmyUpxHS9xRv35pIqmjBtX-aIG2fhDDsApmtsiVvr/w360-h640/20220811_121539.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0DpNY5L2u3T3W3BAAkq1u-sFVCbpeq7xp1ZGFNkZEakgYSxATAZwuE-1RXgZIbvSXfhxwU2uodwbsnDxKGdUHbZiO8ocyM-6yPbiWI8ow_77KHXT_XLyd1aLW-u1k6SyoBxcSRAS1gLVI9xTId78odMq9v19A2EXcnc4h4t-epB1LyFo2Lh48LYhz66i/s4032/20220811_121724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0DpNY5L2u3T3W3BAAkq1u-sFVCbpeq7xp1ZGFNkZEakgYSxATAZwuE-1RXgZIbvSXfhxwU2uodwbsnDxKGdUHbZiO8ocyM-6yPbiWI8ow_77KHXT_XLyd1aLW-u1k6SyoBxcSRAS1gLVI9xTId78odMq9v19A2EXcnc4h4t-epB1LyFo2Lh48LYhz66i/w640-h360/20220811_121724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>BLCA is a great park to explore with children and folks with limited mobility, with short walks to platform overlooks, sometimes right beside the road. Parking was never crowded. The South Rim Visitor Center was busy but not overwhelmed. <i>Read more <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/things2do.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/tripideas/half-day-at-black-canyon-summer.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about activities for a half-day visit or longer. </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KUSIwsMnRpE_03X4zUEflGlq_o4yAg-TcPCEjK10mxfsKt58q5YOiCQBLmkFZn8EWEZ1YE2dAOLNeAukEiJH44vkcSDc66F5OAEq0ZcJlGoiZcQFWu5AST98S3wJM76p-mhkymdiP0_YSB5fcTSvyi9LicyzG4Zcq_iRZ_Z8udQi4v1ImAQIKnNkYUP9/s4032/20220811_122022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KUSIwsMnRpE_03X4zUEflGlq_o4yAg-TcPCEjK10mxfsKt58q5YOiCQBLmkFZn8EWEZ1YE2dAOLNeAukEiJH44vkcSDc66F5OAEq0ZcJlGoiZcQFWu5AST98S3wJM76p-mhkymdiP0_YSB5fcTSvyi9LicyzG4Zcq_iRZ_Z8udQi4v1ImAQIKnNkYUP9/w640-h360/20220811_122022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We hiked the Rim Rock Trail from the VC to the campground, a balcony trail with closeup views into the deep, narrow canyon. Stretching our legs after a few hours in the car – yes, please.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2VhatjpUhTz_dT3bGGSSUf9i4unXT8pJVUU0abbsv1nsH4qhtaH8nR_v8lh2CMpQKXnaruqich56aDyIiBQLrDIOLwlr3SZoAZo1BQMNb8HXlsEkTLXblyDA82MNpPLOD2h_-IfppiJ7umgGVEVaIlOGfe3R_Caj68-3-TNC9l8eWBodr3fkSpnfqGqt/s4032/20220811_124704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2VhatjpUhTz_dT3bGGSSUf9i4unXT8pJVUU0abbsv1nsH4qhtaH8nR_v8lh2CMpQKXnaruqich56aDyIiBQLrDIOLwlr3SZoAZo1BQMNb8HXlsEkTLXblyDA82MNpPLOD2h_-IfppiJ7umgGVEVaIlOGfe3R_Caj68-3-TNC9l8eWBodr3fkSpnfqGqt/w640-h360/20220811_124704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicxg6epQTja4C7fo8zfSN-555o8ZsqQzu85-Z_oWaxlxSC5w5H5xFx9TtxhmPQDjH26AVQIY2xfLYm6EoX_sPptETH99mY61Ixev-2Os8sgFwOaN1NWP6uY5I40SoriFGCtxG3IGZuKiwd5qEDP2V8u6WfNNqdzZvc7Uze8LSxeArjkyev818KZ-Ghi2i/s2966/20220811_124127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2966" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicxg6epQTja4C7fo8zfSN-555o8ZsqQzu85-Z_oWaxlxSC5w5H5xFx9TtxhmPQDjH26AVQIY2xfLYm6EoX_sPptETH99mY61Ixev-2Os8sgFwOaN1NWP6uY5I40SoriFGCtxG3IGZuKiwd5qEDP2V8u6WfNNqdzZvc7Uze8LSxeArjkyev818KZ-Ghi2i/w488-h640/20220811_124127.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzNQ2lfNM4sK3wG-eEnzFBGJpyJ5nxV1utvfBTfVyXFQ3aBEvWktlFMCdxloxIWMfzw_sxU8ryM8JGdN5sq72nMoYksoEo8WcOOKFC0TAmg079Sbs_03k1l9o_SXnhM-Y8AnvA4yy88hzkrOCjg1G8zyc6_MfKs7XUKYo0_4RI7_Tsxvo6q2-FN9uKngf/s4032/20220811_125746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzNQ2lfNM4sK3wG-eEnzFBGJpyJ5nxV1utvfBTfVyXFQ3aBEvWktlFMCdxloxIWMfzw_sxU8ryM8JGdN5sq72nMoYksoEo8WcOOKFC0TAmg079Sbs_03k1l9o_SXnhM-Y8AnvA4yy88hzkrOCjg1G8zyc6_MfKs7XUKYo0_4RI7_Tsxvo6q2-FN9uKngf/w640-h360/20220811_125746.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I’ll tell you right now, the heat got to me, 90 degrees of intense direct sun. At the campground, I was ready to turn back to the VC, but Jim wanted to make it a loop via the Uplands Trail. This added a couple of miles to our hike (whine, whine) but it was a worthwhile variation through the grasslands and a total of about 3 miles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mULfCCvuQg7rhfTzgci2thsvu2_SEsD6MbFZeR2el6kCVl7Nlfpg3gA3Si-kUPVabtVIoBeFxtXOd6ljqW7QkvXjzM4wDrIIGZfnkBagPHYAt4H6J-hsIt5GTZf8zigRgsnDMpkO8_2P6XCTcp4r11ArIquTgmYoi-4-E4jTVazSg9vVthJeCWvgfAVq/s1080/thumbnail%20(9).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mULfCCvuQg7rhfTzgci2thsvu2_SEsD6MbFZeR2el6kCVl7Nlfpg3gA3Si-kUPVabtVIoBeFxtXOd6ljqW7QkvXjzM4wDrIIGZfnkBagPHYAt4H6J-hsIt5GTZf8zigRgsnDMpkO8_2P6XCTcp4r11ArIquTgmYoi-4-E4jTVazSg9vVthJeCWvgfAVq/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(9).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8TkO4tMnQ3DD5ZK6zIaC8QS0wwuphTojbUzlC-1_Nvg7vl5z3xXbrlkbFEdUw3sLTAm2KHxMUmbF2AbrsYNYugt7FPBKH0krUG48yEBaLdenAkOlmW8hY61l7EVlK2nJyjdw35gPgKhSfr9hVYg7fCYkFZSlFzOvddm64QmB7VC7RoOnsORX_gwVxBCN/s4032/20220811_132103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8TkO4tMnQ3DD5ZK6zIaC8QS0wwuphTojbUzlC-1_Nvg7vl5z3xXbrlkbFEdUw3sLTAm2KHxMUmbF2AbrsYNYugt7FPBKH0krUG48yEBaLdenAkOlmW8hY61l7EVlK2nJyjdw35gPgKhSfr9hVYg7fCYkFZSlFzOvddm64QmB7VC7RoOnsORX_gwVxBCN/w640-h360/20220811_132103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>South Rim Road winds for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to its ending at High Point. We took our time, stopping at just about every pullout: Pulpit Rock, Cross Fissures, Devil’s Lookout, Painted Wall View, Dragon Point and so on. The views are the same but different, slight variations in the rocks and the water. Near Painted Wall View, the Gunnison River makes a nearly 90-degree left turn. We saw teeny people on the North Rim across the canyon, which we’ll explore tomorrow. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP7MFM3oaomMHVIo65eVLDVfROMz8U-H5jxhC_KD5aSYSudvnKgnaRcBi6h4-G1G9NcnoLGz0Vi_xuLQorkLneT0luIrPVO3XBZVbf4OpU-zUR6ep9hrNFj2acpPrWF67g7frzpyUpfpcZUJ_byFC93CYImYJdX0a0tsd7a4hK3jSSm8iDbwGc01URyg7/s4032/20220811_140738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP7MFM3oaomMHVIo65eVLDVfROMz8U-H5jxhC_KD5aSYSudvnKgnaRcBi6h4-G1G9NcnoLGz0Vi_xuLQorkLneT0luIrPVO3XBZVbf4OpU-zUR6ep9hrNFj2acpPrWF67g7frzpyUpfpcZUJ_byFC93CYImYJdX0a0tsd7a4hK3jSSm8iDbwGc01URyg7/w360-h640/20220811_140738.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">View from Pulpit Rock</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_up0kiaEPF2zdmxQmprvJ-WgVwN5qjpgPKU_FvZNzOEByYJi-An-GJiRnINr5vnIqst0X0exPZ60oNEKiZ45p7Sk0zMLlrZE8LPGyIoJq60OXmxEumLOQK3eG689nUo5nBuJBTMPr6ovMnu7MGEL1MVGby8V1JtnH6xqKapidusNbcKPYMW22dQPTpl8/s1080/thumbnail%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_up0kiaEPF2zdmxQmprvJ-WgVwN5qjpgPKU_FvZNzOEByYJi-An-GJiRnINr5vnIqst0X0exPZ60oNEKiZ45p7Sk0zMLlrZE8LPGyIoJq60OXmxEumLOQK3eG689nUo5nBuJBTMPr6ovMnu7MGEL1MVGby8V1JtnH6xqKapidusNbcKPYMW22dQPTpl8/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Painted Wall</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbubF7rWrkDKlvcfc1uyOfzHq3XtDh6VlzQSpH7yNnAJ8pZHthgbCu-O64MOR7jzSHjdPQHiumEqszAhMO2iJabCdNlM0Uk8TMd-4iz_ii1OIKno4iZ3q2jKnF9lxKeBB0av2PqWDwcOlnWJrBLmQ0Vy34Ie_fS-cgqwnGn8CdvdfUIW8V9OwKDP8HDr_4/s2592/20220811_142320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2592" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbubF7rWrkDKlvcfc1uyOfzHq3XtDh6VlzQSpH7yNnAJ8pZHthgbCu-O64MOR7jzSHjdPQHiumEqszAhMO2iJabCdNlM0Uk8TMd-4iz_ii1OIKno4iZ3q2jKnF9lxKeBB0av2PqWDwcOlnWJrBLmQ0Vy34Ie_fS-cgqwnGn8CdvdfUIW8V9OwKDP8HDr_4/w640-h360/20220811_142320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7MdTKPMdQbyxCIfe9bItCS5wQENp4vjeMK-9ZBU4iQ8NkeL1_0FVwanAcQPTRV1ouShiIX1KJfs_Y_89D-_BfIgzd4ViimTIZF_aM4hqrgDeCI_JFJEA2vOQ3N7XEAqfUb5ZockbEnMcXhRzoeiBJdT7H5O8bQ0iyGWQZUrbAyecVt0jRqaR_89XiWuX/s2170/20220811_143310.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="1931" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7MdTKPMdQbyxCIfe9bItCS5wQENp4vjeMK-9ZBU4iQ8NkeL1_0FVwanAcQPTRV1ouShiIX1KJfs_Y_89D-_BfIgzd4ViimTIZF_aM4hqrgDeCI_JFJEA2vOQ3N7XEAqfUb5ZockbEnMcXhRzoeiBJdT7H5O8bQ0iyGWQZUrbAyecVt0jRqaR_89XiWuX/w570-h640/20220811_143310.1.jpg" width="570" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEdff51f8gzjufuOveCre3MxapO7_I7FW9CNTP-kzCcOzYo8kzCTCtEDP2qPPM-ZkdHxi3NlzNXvIQ0N-itpSBzz1n_q0SCytza-Z28yLjLd3oRASw_yHNmBPBdmLAghUyrtPAAUCLUj_u9XmJiYdi7ovKpFJPS6LkDMV6BP9CMEii-PcRz1aEaiisD60/s4032/20220811_143412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEdff51f8gzjufuOveCre3MxapO7_I7FW9CNTP-kzCcOzYo8kzCTCtEDP2qPPM-ZkdHxi3NlzNXvIQ0N-itpSBzz1n_q0SCytza-Z28yLjLd3oRASw_yHNmBPBdmLAghUyrtPAAUCLUj_u9XmJiYdi7ovKpFJPS6LkDMV6BP9CMEii-PcRz1aEaiisD60/w360-h640/20220811_143412.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from Dragon Point</div><p>As we left the South Rim, we took East Portal Road down to an access point for the river near the Gunnison River Diversion Dam. <i>[This area is part of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm "><span style="color: red;">Curecanti National Recreation Area,</span></a> accessed via US 50 east of BCLA.. If you’re going, check it out. There are 11 campgrounds and a variety of hiking trails.]<br /><br /></i>The paved road is crazy steep with hairpin turns, closed in winter. I’m used to such roads on public lands, but I hung on to my seat as we descended.<br /><br />On an unmarked but obvious trail beside the river, we passed a picnic area and some walk-in campsites. The only people we saw were fly fishing. I was thrilled to put my feet in the water.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2Ihix_7ZtlE67Uyeo1SzjUW4c7U5e-nbtQ25HmyadvgFONAVhkx80auy4BfVNo0fALP6iScZHW4YQAA0gfRrpq6rprjGNZBiloLKKL0rAkgSnPsjt3X11MFXSXqt0pcmaVXuVHyscCasZ1tWJX6lXTj4OpSjtGvm27Xz69Lxb9lHQW8pho80pEVOzXfi/s3101/20220811_151603.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3101" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2Ihix_7ZtlE67Uyeo1SzjUW4c7U5e-nbtQ25HmyadvgFONAVhkx80auy4BfVNo0fALP6iScZHW4YQAA0gfRrpq6rprjGNZBiloLKKL0rAkgSnPsjt3X11MFXSXqt0pcmaVXuVHyscCasZ1tWJX6lXTj4OpSjtGvm27Xz69Lxb9lHQW8pho80pEVOzXfi/w466-h640/20220811_151603.1.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZyZL4gHJwTKiO_jehx_sbOTqQ11uiaPqWhZhB4cXJaKrOw9EGwfO0jrhk3x41lz81wpY4UF8_3cgjRtvnQbKKyspGya_kt8iuIWwHDnkUjxJJrPIlk9vL10vsjYbGB6KrwbVX2R8xGS3WC6vElpGclt0J3V3IVik6MKcSU08zoCm02An3ePq7iB1EGsN/s3120/20220811_152906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="2238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZyZL4gHJwTKiO_jehx_sbOTqQ11uiaPqWhZhB4cXJaKrOw9EGwfO0jrhk3x41lz81wpY4UF8_3cgjRtvnQbKKyspGya_kt8iuIWwHDnkUjxJJrPIlk9vL10vsjYbGB6KrwbVX2R8xGS3WC6vElpGclt0J3V3IVik6MKcSU08zoCm02An3ePq7iB1EGsN/w460-h640/20220811_152906.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038Nd5iyoMnJQgYgKa1kIJlzs5d7HQoaF1sSqmvNjw1zbR2gYOiq1bnD-X795k4NMg5ZDtvQOU80dQyUcaEQrNa8VPOSL86H8LS-o4Kwu13McsSlw8kTuOSg26RwGtPbfZCxHDA2ndhQZiTjXCFmtkH-5mAM7krL0BT5vWxoF8cbWlWWhyE2_4ykZFqy1/s2592/20220811_151957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038Nd5iyoMnJQgYgKa1kIJlzs5d7HQoaF1sSqmvNjw1zbR2gYOiq1bnD-X795k4NMg5ZDtvQOU80dQyUcaEQrNa8VPOSL86H8LS-o4Kwu13McsSlw8kTuOSg26RwGtPbfZCxHDA2ndhQZiTjXCFmtkH-5mAM7krL0BT5vWxoF8cbWlWWhyE2_4ykZFqy1/w360-h640/20220811_151957.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>When I planned this trip, there were no accommodations in Montrose, the closest town to the South Rim of BLCA, so we had a couple of hours of drive time still ahead of us to our Airbnb near the North Rim. After a few mishaps, lack of cell service, and one closed brewery (what, no celebrating today??) we stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy Subway sandwiches and supplies for the next couple of days.<br /><br />I was nervous about what our place would be like (aren’t I always?) and it was quite a drive up to the top of a mesa miles from any town. The property was amazing, remote, just what we needed to exhale after another full day of adventures. The single level adobe house was situated at the end of a gravel road, opening up to an expansive view. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89gtqkfokyCgH9rGlhwwPnERUUqQ6XtyXNTs4_zrcTcmMFiS8t9O0uXOZNIBNFOB2MLl7kM3gcdOM6p6gRZvVbMbP9TNUuLwlBZdVQO2jReRWsgXtTrOm79EDCRuI27--Km20i8VwtiBtYSz_paRAWl-qaWKZY7RRpY_QLiUlHa1puk3skF4yaBXWNloN/s4032/20220811_190615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89gtqkfokyCgH9rGlhwwPnERUUqQ6XtyXNTs4_zrcTcmMFiS8t9O0uXOZNIBNFOB2MLl7kM3gcdOM6p6gRZvVbMbP9TNUuLwlBZdVQO2jReRWsgXtTrOm79EDCRuI27--Km20i8VwtiBtYSz_paRAWl-qaWKZY7RRpY_QLiUlHa1puk3skF4yaBXWNloN/w640-h360/20220811_190615.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The owner lives in the main house and our space was the “tower room” on top, a large space with windows on three sides accessible by an external staircase.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEIZn_5uGBor_FRXLDF4hjAxAWWvAFGaMcf-87fUXpjczlhpgr46cE-6HijlrkI-eT8YLpE4Sk39vIrWOXswcLj2Oh2lGsUIhFpdL0XbB9FehLZMMsKTZnHbAUossrypl-Hedjhpi0WWYXmeUw5x5iA7AoAbfSkbWf3Co-glqClDTKno2CSXRY092uIYW/s4032/20220811_190712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEIZn_5uGBor_FRXLDF4hjAxAWWvAFGaMcf-87fUXpjczlhpgr46cE-6HijlrkI-eT8YLpE4Sk39vIrWOXswcLj2Oh2lGsUIhFpdL0XbB9FehLZMMsKTZnHbAUossrypl-Hedjhpi0WWYXmeUw5x5iA7AoAbfSkbWf3Co-glqClDTKno2CSXRY092uIYW/w360-h640/20220811_190712.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAHxb2NIV8e_ifQpjcKhvg1Hg34qTxwIiqYtR-I8coYZNew4Lm93PJrpyGa67gJ0YmyIbOu1RDVfcT-PDUe5H-7mUy8j9ZlKtFld-g8dH2UZYdBKSvN29WIsjvi9Lqgl-A3uREXJwzDNxaMOgpyL7s2rS9WTWyH8CgK3-SZpft7ImtzPU88Y6q8poX5Aq/s4032/20220812_072652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAHxb2NIV8e_ifQpjcKhvg1Hg34qTxwIiqYtR-I8coYZNew4Lm93PJrpyGa67gJ0YmyIbOu1RDVfcT-PDUe5H-7mUy8j9ZlKtFld-g8dH2UZYdBKSvN29WIsjvi9Lqgl-A3uREXJwzDNxaMOgpyL7s2rS9WTWyH8CgK3-SZpft7ImtzPU88Y6q8poX5Aq/w360-h640/20220812_072652.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>The owner’s attention to Southwest style decorative details and love of flowers brought surprises around every corner. We were offered free range of all the outdoor spaces and felt right at home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYapR4A_PNizSLjfk-Rmh9kR1Tzf5UsM6F_B-Ej2OI3n3o-7eqah-u34RRxH3seCrXG3i7A37NVmr1S0KriWWi-_JTFhv8tqtLd1nCW3jrqQnw2BD7Kr_VyvUpmhZfEMNauMRcvd_3AkbkL0QuZTIuPeivtyedTz8b0UkfmlROV929B_Uvhs0-7srYLgA0/s2941/20220811_190603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYapR4A_PNizSLjfk-Rmh9kR1Tzf5UsM6F_B-Ej2OI3n3o-7eqah-u34RRxH3seCrXG3i7A37NVmr1S0KriWWi-_JTFhv8tqtLd1nCW3jrqQnw2BD7Kr_VyvUpmhZfEMNauMRcvd_3AkbkL0QuZTIuPeivtyedTz8b0UkfmlROV929B_Uvhs0-7srYLgA0/w488-h640/20220811_190603.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1qjb8op4lHANXZzwU7XOdQ62Aj3b-VIQGIQxYh_b65lSEf1UWz2SQyi6OTQRA53OgQIVvSv7SRvSxS0LfpdHbcxJGhFE4HCmQ-DyyDMxWHMGAC5aAVwmeTl5yr7zUEXdABkdP9hMailuzxhWir56UIoyIfDTvss43IU9k5ExpsI6MXlj-9hnyvXsWeLr/s2612/20220811_191921.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1qjb8op4lHANXZzwU7XOdQ62Aj3b-VIQGIQxYh_b65lSEf1UWz2SQyi6OTQRA53OgQIVvSv7SRvSxS0LfpdHbcxJGhFE4HCmQ-DyyDMxWHMGAC5aAVwmeTl5yr7zUEXdABkdP9hMailuzxhWir56UIoyIfDTvss43IU9k5ExpsI6MXlj-9hnyvXsWeLr/w542-h640/20220811_191921.1.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><p>We slept that night with the windows open for cross breezes until it was chilly enough to crawl under the comforters. Ahhhh…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h8wNu87KUvx6fUBAUkSvCDcvrmEOjvgahewg8v11S74lCWka29yrkMOchMMBMxFJPLm5NkVRFt0cx5ZVh0qb7F5QOM22ARgNSkbByHtG7q_CqiAT1P2bDYDDt3YejRjTfc7J8klE3QDEYLBbYcTO4JhaQMgH_lDReZmpA5nNiKWxtsidJUu0SlWWS7Fw/s4032/20220811_154612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h8wNu87KUvx6fUBAUkSvCDcvrmEOjvgahewg8v11S74lCWka29yrkMOchMMBMxFJPLm5NkVRFt0cx5ZVh0qb7F5QOM22ARgNSkbByHtG7q_CqiAT1P2bDYDDt3YejRjTfc7J8klE3QDEYLBbYcTO4JhaQMgH_lDReZmpA5nNiKWxtsidJUu0SlWWS7Fw/w640-h360/20220811_154612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>"The world is big and I want to have a good look<br /> at it before it gets dark." <br />~John Muir</i></span></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-13369834027405294112023-09-14T16:15:00.003-04:002023-09-14T16:15:54.166-04:00Colorado 2022: Mesa Verde NP - Cliff Palace & Petroglyph Point Trail<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado 2022: Mesa Verde National Park – Cliff Palace & Petroglyph Point Trail <br />8/10/22 – 3 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7AVVDH9zMzzhDQ8YAktSO5wqwrn4GeM80NgoE08-jz1zxo1zD8bFPeWQKaw2m4RpHjA9BH8KON2NqYkyqxU4-3Nst0Az-jvHD-wEdxHodWa7I0t1A7IyDRGk5FtiEspqfLEMyJSqU1Osf_6nHImcB3WYj7flo5HffdA-mDeKYv_HVsuU6ZSxFjeoviS5/s4032/20220810_100931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7AVVDH9zMzzhDQ8YAktSO5wqwrn4GeM80NgoE08-jz1zxo1zD8bFPeWQKaw2m4RpHjA9BH8KON2NqYkyqxU4-3Nst0Az-jvHD-wEdxHodWa7I0t1A7IyDRGk5FtiEspqfLEMyJSqU1Osf_6nHImcB3WYj7flo5HffdA-mDeKYv_HVsuU6ZSxFjeoviS5/w640-h360/20220810_100931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>As Jim and I planned our Colorado trip in 2022, Mesa Verde NP was undergoing extensive preservation work on some of its signature features, and we timed our August visit with the resumption of ranger-led tours for sites such as Balcony House and Cliff Palace. (Some sites were still closed.) Looking at the matrix of tour times and driving distances, we chose quality over quantity and booked only a tour of the Park’s centerpiece:<a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/cliff_palace.htm "><span style="color: red;"> Cliff Palace</span></a>. Even so, I didn’t time the bookings quite right and ended up with one ticket at 10am and one at 10:30am (shrug).<br /><br /><i>[If you’re going: Cliff Palace can be viewed from an overlook without purchasing a ticket.]<br /><br /></i>It’s a long drive from Cortez to the Park entrance and then to the tour meeting place on Chapin Mesa, but my time-obsessed-self ensured that we were quite early. My time-obsessed-self’s twin sister rule-follower-self watched judgmentally as a family showed up and tried to tag onto the 10am tour. (They were successful because of no-shows.) Jim could have asked, too, and joined with me. Perhaps…he was happy to be in a separate group of his own?<br /><br />Lesson learned: ask if you can tag in.<br /><br />From <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/cliff_dwellings_home.htm"><span style="color: red;">this NPS website</span></a>: “Sometime during the late 1190s, after primarily living on the mesa tops for 600 years, many Ancestral Pueblo people began moving into pueblos they built into natural cliff alcoves. The structures ranged in size from one-room granaries to villages of more than 150 rooms. While still farming the mesa tops, they lived in cliff dwellings, repairing, remodeling, and constructing new rooms for nearly a century.”<br /><br /><i>Cliff Palace is a cliff dwelling that has existed for over 700 years, but its “discovery” in 1888 accelerated the deterioration of this extraordinary site. Read more <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/cliff_palace_preservation.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about ongoing preservation work at Mesa Verde NP.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjuIJu_CuPsNVD59h8RXN4fZuMlGH0_o7z2hqJPSKs70_UBBlUzzKskr7bmPcpqA3MI8AhIxX3ir5p65-80YlDqdejrTlF9XjtRQauH8-t1sUkj92zftEWR_ErPTNIeQTKi1w5JOFI7m2vaa9SXV9N2wQelwCP53IgknQirK66UlrKV6J9tt-C2mQAn0v/s4032/20220810_094632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjuIJu_CuPsNVD59h8RXN4fZuMlGH0_o7z2hqJPSKs70_UBBlUzzKskr7bmPcpqA3MI8AhIxX3ir5p65-80YlDqdejrTlF9XjtRQauH8-t1sUkj92zftEWR_ErPTNIeQTKi1w5JOFI7m2vaa9SXV9N2wQelwCP53IgknQirK66UlrKV6J9tt-C2mQAn0v/w640-h360/20220810_094632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First look at Cliff Palace</div><br />The tour begins by descending a ladder on the left side and moves through the site. It ends by climbing three ladders at the far right, so groups don’t pass each other. Archeological studies conclude that the site contained 150 rooms and supported a population of about 100 people.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynpr6shoKNKVTc5WJDRdZhSVYQZnS3mH5lP1ztCQnr0hpccYM90Tah2VVxPHXMKef_Z70tDRXQyIOkUEXpZYrSWDe8qW2kRNsKEJx5DnWJpVKXe6zQwADi8AWRrDoCBUoNqB-eOuI8LnC_s_a_sMisnhiEFH0lUN7GekjREd64-TTezWhmHOkPAUMg-8/s4032/20220810_100829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynpr6shoKNKVTc5WJDRdZhSVYQZnS3mH5lP1ztCQnr0hpccYM90Tah2VVxPHXMKef_Z70tDRXQyIOkUEXpZYrSWDe8qW2kRNsKEJx5DnWJpVKXe6zQwADi8AWRrDoCBUoNqB-eOuI8LnC_s_a_sMisnhiEFH0lUN7GekjREd64-TTezWhmHOkPAUMg-8/w360-h640/20220810_100829.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VvisLfcKSYKvAbsKzRBQecAX9oayX0ZmI7C5dZs8kzYGqUJ0dGdhejz8Y50DCChfyOgUTT1Fo-d3-Eb56WZipjHsGIihjylCtHA8Knkaji1Q-ckS2u1Fi1jBkXYwNtyfqDbMpBQwQ-NBrhaDMEB5z2sVJkDVcru5Ae5KQiRg6JqUTql_B4hzQY4UmdRT/s2026/20220810_105420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="1386" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VvisLfcKSYKvAbsKzRBQecAX9oayX0ZmI7C5dZs8kzYGqUJ0dGdhejz8Y50DCChfyOgUTT1Fo-d3-Eb56WZipjHsGIihjylCtHA8Knkaji1Q-ckS2u1Fi1jBkXYwNtyfqDbMpBQwQ-NBrhaDMEB5z2sVJkDVcru5Ae5KQiRg6JqUTql_B4hzQY4UmdRT/w438-h640/20220810_105420.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><p>Our guide, Ranger Lou Ann, was passionate, knowledgeable, and respectful of the indigenous peoples that lived in cliff dwellings. Her descriptions brought them to life living in community, cooking fires, everyday chores, caring for their children. She explained that although Cliff Palace was built with the intention to live there indefinitely, after about 90 years their population had increased to a point that there was not enough space or reliable water to sustain the community.<br /><br />The website continues: “In the mid-1200s, the population began migrating to the south, into present-day New Mexico and Arizona. By the end of the 1200s, most everyone had migrated away.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYSw1YlGdoCdqqcXs0n3aGPttOY-xb3OfZHgLbYUZtBqxDBTAKAwF8GXELBXL9ksDnvNFPZv4CyUjCu4QB4uYEtvqO0Myv3yBqKHZARnEzUshEv3Ne6VIlt5X0QGc5IJlfoifzY8LI3xUN9WOzjKwIUDH_45XmRCPJUOf_8HEh97ZWYhLK_B-XDKb2X9d/s3289/20220810_101431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3289" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYSw1YlGdoCdqqcXs0n3aGPttOY-xb3OfZHgLbYUZtBqxDBTAKAwF8GXELBXL9ksDnvNFPZv4CyUjCu4QB4uYEtvqO0Myv3yBqKHZARnEzUshEv3Ne6VIlt5X0QGc5IJlfoifzY8LI3xUN9WOzjKwIUDH_45XmRCPJUOf_8HEh97ZWYhLK_B-XDKb2X9d/w442-h640/20220810_101431.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdywWDK-D2respKzGh9Rr6TOhrX18gM1C5UzuHY_nQE0IrtbM4jWMxgmOe_HziK8wKmwk4nu4QGJjmFRwtuAjx7tzGOejrZHnjpO0TH2R9TflxnCjJzDz8bhfjxgutJ1izKTzREttIQ-M_n8H7sykd06tcZHYgcIzzxHAjq96lp5fDZJ5Ffok_Zp36cMp/s4032/20220810_101626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdywWDK-D2respKzGh9Rr6TOhrX18gM1C5UzuHY_nQE0IrtbM4jWMxgmOe_HziK8wKmwk4nu4QGJjmFRwtuAjx7tzGOejrZHnjpO0TH2R9TflxnCjJzDz8bhfjxgutJ1izKTzREttIQ-M_n8H7sykd06tcZHYgcIzzxHAjq96lp5fDZJ5Ffok_Zp36cMp/w640-h360/20220810_101626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljP6Ojmf27x_SAMldtolUD2I82eycafA4DCP1rKC-mux65SG5rbVdUS-Oej1_bDoU4bBh2QcOEBSfdw3dCP3cu3jSlaC9qfRUjx8lma9Aw_Pzs8wj0FS-4Fv9G5irDQoZdskgtZizgs-eJHL3gguoFX2pOG7ChCqNbiZ83vagQe_VFSIOHK8t7hff5IJ0/s4032/20220810_102837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljP6Ojmf27x_SAMldtolUD2I82eycafA4DCP1rKC-mux65SG5rbVdUS-Oej1_bDoU4bBh2QcOEBSfdw3dCP3cu3jSlaC9qfRUjx8lma9Aw_Pzs8wj0FS-4Fv9G5irDQoZdskgtZizgs-eJHL3gguoFX2pOG7ChCqNbiZ83vagQe_VFSIOHK8t7hff5IJ0/w640-h360/20220810_102837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Kivas are primarily round, underground rooms used for both routine purposes and special ceremonies. There are 23 kivas at Cliff Palace (not all visible on the tour). Read more about kivas <a href=" https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/artifactgallery_kiva.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jmpbhJuAFtx3IFct_SE7b08GBxjyjxbxMNLvffs0IlENT1Tyv51QZNKLgebA-B1K2n5TrgpRfGePzQvuZJ2gnu6U3pI6hRixFBWyGuuPGw5OH1bkAKsdFBbQNjsGH7wJtADuAccVx5Rc0jsXuKH75x1mUKUOkbkuh4_eSxQbznY8kdPe9iudPWsZU6oj/s960/298616276_10226594171547805_1306744026756439889_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jmpbhJuAFtx3IFct_SE7b08GBxjyjxbxMNLvffs0IlENT1Tyv51QZNKLgebA-B1K2n5TrgpRfGePzQvuZJ2gnu6U3pI6hRixFBWyGuuPGw5OH1bkAKsdFBbQNjsGH7wJtADuAccVx5Rc0jsXuKH75x1mUKUOkbkuh4_eSxQbznY8kdPe9iudPWsZU6oj/w640-h480/298616276_10226594171547805_1306744026756439889_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzMLcgCbLO4NZqiaOKTJNqowKvg2yAes9d9BJ0p2eGm97QYI66mNI0ymqJC8OA_lfLHcSzp91Y2jJvnQjpW5huaispr98LnPKkM4lU6kDQEAQ9ty-dmsRdhJKz9REP0USETAcJm9toQkDNZnI6A7TnpddGe38q9ZWHWleU_BawTY7QiIUFKnOTdRloUVU/s4032/20220810_102823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzMLcgCbLO4NZqiaOKTJNqowKvg2yAes9d9BJ0p2eGm97QYI66mNI0ymqJC8OA_lfLHcSzp91Y2jJvnQjpW5huaispr98LnPKkM4lU6kDQEAQ9ty-dmsRdhJKz9REP0USETAcJm9toQkDNZnI6A7TnpddGe38q9ZWHWleU_BawTY7QiIUFKnOTdRloUVU/w360-h640/20220810_102823.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIducMD9sU_qHEs-x1jZDpWQrpkS1uWRjhp68APVIv0CrbgLT2MtkQXGj5eTjVF0-c87kh8YFL5g67Azy4evgyztMxKq4M5Fbz-KTwgEqcMjAM_sOfdS75YY-AmPERZlwcLMfPF-QgNkRANe6qtrQ7Lu-wvjkobmqTELsWKpjWmt2cI9VWEsKcLaHcx5E/s4032/20220810_101641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIducMD9sU_qHEs-x1jZDpWQrpkS1uWRjhp68APVIv0CrbgLT2MtkQXGj5eTjVF0-c87kh8YFL5g67Azy4evgyztMxKq4M5Fbz-KTwgEqcMjAM_sOfdS75YY-AmPERZlwcLMfPF-QgNkRANe6qtrQ7Lu-wvjkobmqTELsWKpjWmt2cI9VWEsKcLaHcx5E/w360-h640/20220810_101641.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>The tour seemed to be over in minutes – did I miss something? Fortunately, the website has numerous links to photos and information to learn more. As I climbed the three ladders back to the top of the mesa, I was out of breath. <i>[MEVE is at 8,000 feet elevation.]</i></p><p>Quality over quantity, remember? Instead of driving on to the farthest corners of the park at Wetherill Mesa, Jim and I opted to follow the advice from yesterday and hike nearby <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/place-ppt-trail.htm"><span style="color: red;">Petroglyph Point Trail</span></a>. It starts near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum (closed during our visit) and Spruce Tree House.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfgERBVyIeVB4wQwqj05pqbSKt4Hpm_5-J9w2YbTWaN9B7uI_hQqwvWvVscXlAWmKT0fjdYw_LNpdg1jR3OcLnPkHzjtS-H0comNIX1dRB1Yfb6-EAOXystDFy4FAoZB4YViK4Z7bvN3EXKi9LWOuIT8kK09pzNSRV4-Iu65wlRsMxIWv7djgqm6EGrkI/s4032/20220810_135928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfgERBVyIeVB4wQwqj05pqbSKt4Hpm_5-J9w2YbTWaN9B7uI_hQqwvWvVscXlAWmKT0fjdYw_LNpdg1jR3OcLnPkHzjtS-H0comNIX1dRB1Yfb6-EAOXystDFy4FAoZB4YViK4Z7bvN3EXKi9LWOuIT8kK09pzNSRV4-Iu65wlRsMxIWv7djgqm6EGrkI/w640-h360/20220810_135928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spruce Tree House (closed during our visit and still closed as of this writing)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFiFYSBbOuCNRBlBQ2L1PkBA2uaYq29g1N5n9iknOOqyWhmpW7lXeGCIbZiqRuQ4QVFnK0fUGKtHEqZSacIH-YOGKkZzPqoO-U5og61CkPybvJYAA8MeNFmCd9AzdRHlRsK-8aQraDyP9Ic4cHUG0X2xjokfUB4aSSYp5Rp_clIS_1woj5TANqoh5JrRA/s4032/20220810_121541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFiFYSBbOuCNRBlBQ2L1PkBA2uaYq29g1N5n9iknOOqyWhmpW7lXeGCIbZiqRuQ4QVFnK0fUGKtHEqZSacIH-YOGKkZzPqoO-U5og61CkPybvJYAA8MeNFmCd9AzdRHlRsK-8aQraDyP9Ic4cHUG0X2xjokfUB4aSSYp5Rp_clIS_1woj5TANqoh5JrRA/w640-h360/20220810_121541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We hiked the 2.4-mile loop trail counterclockwise, joining Spruce Canyon Trail for a short distance, then departing from it to hug the wall of Chapin Mesa below the rim. The first third of a mile was a very rocky, bouldering type trail of intriguing rock formations and overhangs – lots of fun! We left the crowds behind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtsdIkN6w_nUoby5VGT33uYEzarG0s4pN6xNggOlbC-Oc3Vx9lsSiNsFPHkCRswSO45JbL9VEHBHkreB51OVXPT608OVq4TjK9Xj8-lBKGc_anMu5DhqOo57kjLifZ6CKoMHo0cpGifwAWnG0KI6zZCGMQcMmI-x7rbLZJNsEn8CvnRuL8kOeBz-yX6IM/s4032/20220810_122121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtsdIkN6w_nUoby5VGT33uYEzarG0s4pN6xNggOlbC-Oc3Vx9lsSiNsFPHkCRswSO45JbL9VEHBHkreB51OVXPT608OVq4TjK9Xj8-lBKGc_anMu5DhqOo57kjLifZ6CKoMHo0cpGifwAWnG0KI6zZCGMQcMmI-x7rbLZJNsEn8CvnRuL8kOeBz-yX6IM/w640-h360/20220810_122121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_GcOZa2HuLSrP-WpK-5s3OSEt73oU5O0DrENf-MrC6pbr43XwUl1_rXE7eZsuYiWlGUi0xCjLMi0DWAS3W0yjgdCpqRpjumIt1iBoQvD2em6RnUEiPxnL64fju3d2NAHHDSIdklMZXm4ZijZVh0NOfJ3VjwuXiy31vhbLoVKXl3uIWRORZoztfPs9ey5/s4032/20220810_121946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_GcOZa2HuLSrP-WpK-5s3OSEt73oU5O0DrENf-MrC6pbr43XwUl1_rXE7eZsuYiWlGUi0xCjLMi0DWAS3W0yjgdCpqRpjumIt1iBoQvD2em6RnUEiPxnL64fju3d2NAHHDSIdklMZXm4ZijZVh0NOfJ3VjwuXiy31vhbLoVKXl3uIWRORZoztfPs9ey5/w360-h640/20220810_121946.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP1PMX3TaDv5Fz3f3_ehIgero1qNVd4-ibCaUGZTuGbcJiqyTUaJpDL15JwNwYp27QsqrE5jt5dDdWh-LwAX62JpL_onhsMTr8zFfIrGACRcUaFF444fS_9ldyvbxJKojf1pz2fa9-qoERAkdD7VnRf3VT41SJv7EB82oshvKKGp6VjtwRMTGoQeA73bD/s4032/20220810_123701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP1PMX3TaDv5Fz3f3_ehIgero1qNVd4-ibCaUGZTuGbcJiqyTUaJpDL15JwNwYp27QsqrE5jt5dDdWh-LwAX62JpL_onhsMTr8zFfIrGACRcUaFF444fS_9ldyvbxJKojf1pz2fa9-qoERAkdD7VnRf3VT41SJv7EB82oshvKKGp6VjtwRMTGoQeA73bD/w640-h360/20220810_123701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QwXTqfz5SdeqY_pYs3w2BvxCRG6Ek60XGzbxZ9smnDULoOJTq1RZ1lqljeGtC8krBNu7tn6_8-MDBxAIW6OEKqr9Pjeo0AguXWjdcAoj-uLFIxpCR2xb0sD41tPEcQdJ_WxICYHYDsV4eLhp2JmptNUNXlBXgvmgSEA_p2NSDKpFDYaLcM5VXpovsBre/s4032/20220810_122308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QwXTqfz5SdeqY_pYs3w2BvxCRG6Ek60XGzbxZ9smnDULoOJTq1RZ1lqljeGtC8krBNu7tn6_8-MDBxAIW6OEKqr9Pjeo0AguXWjdcAoj-uLFIxpCR2xb0sD41tPEcQdJ_WxICYHYDsV4eLhp2JmptNUNXlBXgvmgSEA_p2NSDKpFDYaLcM5VXpovsBre/w360-h640/20220810_122308.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqRf4ka-TEq2beJb_Y2Nq8WltslWs0UxDXMxCXYlfyhah8ns_z0yuxSlVGZYuTIFpn979thNou03IZB5WXX_x6WmVgDY8aabjQxLHW_8WWgPR3VxRdVwi5m1UWgKBcRKTn7Rh9N-9bczWlKXZmD65qFEJSetkFPuo16S1zz_RuKL8HGeeSjluZClLkAGx/s4032/20220810_124719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqRf4ka-TEq2beJb_Y2Nq8WltslWs0UxDXMxCXYlfyhah8ns_z0yuxSlVGZYuTIFpn979thNou03IZB5WXX_x6WmVgDY8aabjQxLHW_8WWgPR3VxRdVwi5m1UWgKBcRKTn7Rh9N-9bczWlKXZmD65qFEJSetkFPuo16S1zz_RuKL8HGeeSjluZClLkAGx/w640-h360/20220810_124719.jpg" width="640" /></a>A small cliff dwelling, possibly home to one or two families – notice the soot from cooking fires<br /> on the back wall and ceiling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr4oXIOrsHSqMi5Tsqd90mXxoflUsSeRWhXL5C92rur2CjmfA6xw4H20vBtlN13flZeKevJP_DnWT07zRN1cev_FxaL3avbvG0lAc2KnHKKmOIQPCxVWaJ3VN8AqqvFCAXqcMDNsHPch5f6iZNMf_bBFi5H_toEs3r2v8kugYTL7msv5O1y1KrZmwye78/s3188/20220810_130513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3188" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr4oXIOrsHSqMi5Tsqd90mXxoflUsSeRWhXL5C92rur2CjmfA6xw4H20vBtlN13flZeKevJP_DnWT07zRN1cev_FxaL3avbvG0lAc2KnHKKmOIQPCxVWaJ3VN8AqqvFCAXqcMDNsHPch5f6iZNMf_bBFi5H_toEs3r2v8kugYTL7msv5O1y1KrZmwye78/w454-h640/20220810_130513.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk-hTxFs63IulVjyVrGNax_bLYt7kKIm46g3QmOBxMOs2aBnw31Vkz0VKNlv5Yqrg17u3-fUJQ_41JPK4RHDHYD1LDdwy0KqiK4NKZnEykfd304X_UPISKopXDjtSN-yYjlzhkqcWp1Tc2zBHeSHmCmRjyVNIkZOixUhyeipyp_CWlmECejWLhsD1wX42/s3533/20220810_124904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3533" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk-hTxFs63IulVjyVrGNax_bLYt7kKIm46g3QmOBxMOs2aBnw31Vkz0VKNlv5Yqrg17u3-fUJQ_41JPK4RHDHYD1LDdwy0KqiK4NKZnEykfd304X_UPISKopXDjtSN-yYjlzhkqcWp1Tc2zBHeSHmCmRjyVNIkZOixUhyeipyp_CWlmECejWLhsD1wX42/w410-h640/20220810_124904.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p>At about 1.4 miles, the petroglyph appears on a rock wall that can be easily missed if you’re busy watching your footing. From the website: “(It) represents the written language of the people who inhabited and traveled through this canyon. More than thirty human and animal figures, spirals, and handprints cover an area of over 35 feet wide.” Read more about the petroglyph <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/education/artifactgallery_petroglyph.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c6TMk3ozCQ2AktmxPCdVqONSHdzWgQB2dq69Krcg1nPxJGognsxcQbqEJMqZgXFQ5aiPhdrpR03LMu6CLR6Tcub4i_hmrWpgq_j-sOVkcVoXHID0xtZzODIFae7zf2B97sx-sJVvjtBMU5RVkNYNjyS6tcMLtuSiwLSfuvmF7Gty5u96snWZOsMRza5D/s4032/20220810_130834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c6TMk3ozCQ2AktmxPCdVqONSHdzWgQB2dq69Krcg1nPxJGognsxcQbqEJMqZgXFQ5aiPhdrpR03LMu6CLR6Tcub4i_hmrWpgq_j-sOVkcVoXHID0xtZzODIFae7zf2B97sx-sJVvjtBMU5RVkNYNjyS6tcMLtuSiwLSfuvmF7Gty5u96snWZOsMRza5D/w640-h360/20220810_130834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-KfrCxvb9iq9JoCIJA6iXJE2awrn5ytoK180HP4iyDbMttq-C9YJ4e2km7WJgCaIhjs8lJMxdEyGehIU3E10Sr0PCUINwBs1mtpMKs8U15tdaBIG8-CWuGF3ufzFt6RJGsTueK8xhJ_cZepa9yeTLvCJKvIXWIp5ii9DFlaetW8XrhvTLLqYERoYD_qG/s4032/20220810_130912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-KfrCxvb9iq9JoCIJA6iXJE2awrn5ytoK180HP4iyDbMttq-C9YJ4e2km7WJgCaIhjs8lJMxdEyGehIU3E10Sr0PCUINwBs1mtpMKs8U15tdaBIG8-CWuGF3ufzFt6RJGsTueK8xhJ_cZepa9yeTLvCJKvIXWIp5ii9DFlaetW8XrhvTLLqYERoYD_qG/w640-h360/20220810_130912.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUmLyS0tGjS5f0t0tq3O6_sw0oKpJoFml_7buQLzpb9pe6mtl4OxWOg_z-ikhMX2C8yIU_fPkYuP7DKzrdJGbHKyJmLNW7WdeGy3VaguGNuahKwWpeV3qW2wsYyMrpy-oFtJZpomamRoE0ViRk_jgwwoz6im_w4yqp0X2mO9xV1LuH5yvpajQCtSOeUm_/s1080/thumbnail%20(4).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUmLyS0tGjS5f0t0tq3O6_sw0oKpJoFml_7buQLzpb9pe6mtl4OxWOg_z-ikhMX2C8yIU_fPkYuP7DKzrdJGbHKyJmLNW7WdeGy3VaguGNuahKwWpeV3qW2wsYyMrpy-oFtJZpomamRoE0ViRk_jgwwoz6im_w4yqp0X2mO9xV1LuH5yvpajQCtSOeUm_/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(4).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A steep rock staircase climbs to the top of the mesa<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX88LX5Ll7MJ7kWdP3St9MVdgBtX_053a-ec10l0FFq5uc3u7_QqT1xRtiI8v3zV46fouKALnKE6I_3kANo9-BC03Nq5Jk6UHkuntd2L97_FgXwCNLycV3pIy1oyI0zPCXcRJnZwei9UdtT3hrb5n5KgNPaqmfRcal5juF3MchCFdD_3KsLJQn_Sp0axmw/s960/298778432_10226594173667858_1954180958133955859_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX88LX5Ll7MJ7kWdP3St9MVdgBtX_053a-ec10l0FFq5uc3u7_QqT1xRtiI8v3zV46fouKALnKE6I_3kANo9-BC03Nq5Jk6UHkuntd2L97_FgXwCNLycV3pIy1oyI0zPCXcRJnZwei9UdtT3hrb5n5KgNPaqmfRcal5juF3MchCFdD_3KsLJQn_Sp0axmw/w640-h480/298778432_10226594173667858_1954180958133955859_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LoQTOM668v3TBIbgMlOuPOqOxjJhjvmvlNzlcdYP3UXWoy0Bm6Wq44TFIhVJDeSiO4SwoR7ynapLetnNaBDrDZCc2LOTS1wYHVsIEX6mFBVnjh0knTfQuDx5vTYdMP2wu2mQ4q4AnaJ8yZ58GVLeXl8G4HIs2wPqSblWi8U5zzFauGE-sPThx16OghVF/s4032/20220810_131711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LoQTOM668v3TBIbgMlOuPOqOxjJhjvmvlNzlcdYP3UXWoy0Bm6Wq44TFIhVJDeSiO4SwoR7ynapLetnNaBDrDZCc2LOTS1wYHVsIEX6mFBVnjh0knTfQuDx5vTYdMP2wu2mQ4q4AnaJ8yZ58GVLeXl8G4HIs2wPqSblWi8U5zzFauGE-sPThx16OghVF/w360-h640/20220810_131711.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofKbpCKjJn7N46OncHVVJ5BT_96XyQyZ16a5e5LYfUkowiRcoSYn86lUQPhmucLC_xk2GG4W0sgu5BF-Nl413gd31G4nuI0KI1jsNxemrQ91PI4dyv7IN7MGXmLss82_iu0cZJb0-K2XHJH-w1fSVHsufJc39gzhqNxw2FoasnpyNuxG23BgXtV3BVSFL/s4032/20220810_130407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofKbpCKjJn7N46OncHVVJ5BT_96XyQyZ16a5e5LYfUkowiRcoSYn86lUQPhmucLC_xk2GG4W0sgu5BF-Nl413gd31G4nuI0KI1jsNxemrQ91PI4dyv7IN7MGXmLss82_iu0cZJb0-K2XHJH-w1fSVHsufJc39gzhqNxw2FoasnpyNuxG23BgXtV3BVSFL/w360-h640/20220810_130407.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flower appreciation: Prince’s Plume <i>stanleya pinnata</i></div><p>Similar to <a href="http://smokyscout.blogspot.com/2023/09/colorado-2022-mesa-verde-national-park.html"><span style="color: red;">the Point Lookout Trail we hiked yesterday</span></a>, the top flattens out with wide areas at the edges to look down into the canyons. It was now midafternoon, fully exposed and very hot, and we were ready to close the loop.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeRS_RWS1XJQPz-zvdWahQiMcWYV-J8gfPcq0Au5FcJ2Ir0mmX1L5OrpHG1VP9130iwQrIl4LHt_1nW50WjwuDqYL5UVP6myqtD0N0o571Gx22k2Ud_SSy0xUjb0h5xUDwhDAwvXacwvEsTFriY0Vq-DMQgiHO_I95_6RKJlrRAsruF-58LdMU7dfdYqy/s3210/20220810_131717.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3210" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeRS_RWS1XJQPz-zvdWahQiMcWYV-J8gfPcq0Au5FcJ2Ir0mmX1L5OrpHG1VP9130iwQrIl4LHt_1nW50WjwuDqYL5UVP6myqtD0N0o571Gx22k2Ud_SSy0xUjb0h5xUDwhDAwvXacwvEsTFriY0Vq-DMQgiHO_I95_6RKJlrRAsruF-58LdMU7dfdYqy/w640-h452/20220810_131717.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spruce Canyon, Navajo Canyon and beyond</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI8J2aUh6vwCzLlWLH-Ni8tdLFM5gXCod-kHiTipG8dFvydcvM-m6nuZD6MlyTvsA-cX_5IaABmtY_vtI-xvMKuAlDkr7lnB4s2zr76CLUMSfKe0NsHFUl6zuWG6CMFIW6dNdsVPHwop-mybG5nqkpeAzLz4n6ESrQg8KKsXHwdTkDlw64ntz--2yPu-3/s1080/thumbnail%20(6).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI8J2aUh6vwCzLlWLH-Ni8tdLFM5gXCod-kHiTipG8dFvydcvM-m6nuZD6MlyTvsA-cX_5IaABmtY_vtI-xvMKuAlDkr7lnB4s2zr76CLUMSfKe0NsHFUl6zuWG6CMFIW6dNdsVPHwop-mybG5nqkpeAzLz4n6ESrQg8KKsXHwdTkDlw64ntz--2yPu-3/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(6).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6OEgUwSLT1rPzMq5LU2hmUm_juMCtpQ1IP92HtchU-Ge1JHYJokGwgaiWhEbIYEldU4NHNBe-ORoYFmrOKs5QnJ6hsiNNFoTb5EgXzTP0YJ3_5nmC20wTDMbQhLzO6u3M8dk9OmMgK-zhSGvB_eIQ2Mr6bkViSVktyUa1KYb3mnEthOsnxj6zUui_xTv/s4032/20220810_134520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6OEgUwSLT1rPzMq5LU2hmUm_juMCtpQ1IP92HtchU-Ge1JHYJokGwgaiWhEbIYEldU4NHNBe-ORoYFmrOKs5QnJ6hsiNNFoTb5EgXzTP0YJ3_5nmC20wTDMbQhLzO6u3M8dk9OmMgK-zhSGvB_eIQ2Mr6bkViSVktyUa1KYb3mnEthOsnxj6zUui_xTv/w360-h640/20220810_134520.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-jqsQ8_N-Nm6MpvTkULAOoreFwqg1vZCtFY_nTfcDmMVA_mF8lIF9fNMhSjXoZlneuyQx0_VRqx8TJSIo_dvL6phNS05bR1MVoXWCtOnUn2JQLpExHSiEAAO-LPOTBJBNP12QlhK3A9EcZ0wAsFToI8fOHTQ8W7bH-2-md1oo-FwaU8qyWbVMVnUez_u/s4032/20220810_134639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-jqsQ8_N-Nm6MpvTkULAOoreFwqg1vZCtFY_nTfcDmMVA_mF8lIF9fNMhSjXoZlneuyQx0_VRqx8TJSIo_dvL6phNS05bR1MVoXWCtOnUn2JQLpExHSiEAAO-LPOTBJBNP12QlhK3A9EcZ0wAsFToI8fOHTQ8W7bH-2-md1oo-FwaU8qyWbVMVnUez_u/w360-h640/20220810_134639.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo39W1bOEX60mZjy-ObpxauUj81ytT5rU-xh0VNZJxh5go9pESDI3_WksoKtoUkqxsCyG445rHQas8yu-osuPZGWw0iq0QS0d03xh_TKR2llobLfEhfzOSWKGhzSx4xYyedpe3YwnhvaDI0GwGzC5x4PgpKt3Ub6h2BszhJ8IDrqUrhQA0WKCJ4n6y2ni/s4032/20220810_134310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo39W1bOEX60mZjy-ObpxauUj81ytT5rU-xh0VNZJxh5go9pESDI3_WksoKtoUkqxsCyG445rHQas8yu-osuPZGWw0iq0QS0d03xh_TKR2llobLfEhfzOSWKGhzSx4xYyedpe3YwnhvaDI0GwGzC5x4PgpKt3Ub6h2BszhJ8IDrqUrhQA0WKCJ4n6y2ni/w360-h640/20220810_134310.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Satisfied with our adventures for today, we drove out of the park (another hour) back to our home base with time to visit the <a href="tps://cortezculturalcenter.org/"><span style="color: red;">Cortez Cultural Center</span></a>. It’s a community arts center featuring artifacts and exhibits of Native American and Western handicrafts, art, music and history. A staff person invited us to come back at 7pm for a demonstration of Native American dance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-1OFmpSb_7IzxeAKnjbHiEVY-zguJPI_xEUF4B7pA3mRVpqN-wdRWB1lmPN-b1qNgxToMKvWpBT0Kb4Ah3U7I8fpaGvEAMD9QComtw3soRnN6qUtZUllWEV10IaLourKmRD_BK0J45Bg56HwpVR8hlwlOvDjcxtLK2C4lPc5-09WAbygdq1MBzTMhGFr/s2268/20220810_175017.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2054" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-1OFmpSb_7IzxeAKnjbHiEVY-zguJPI_xEUF4B7pA3mRVpqN-wdRWB1lmPN-b1qNgxToMKvWpBT0Kb4Ah3U7I8fpaGvEAMD9QComtw3soRnN6qUtZUllWEV10IaLourKmRD_BK0J45Bg56HwpVR8hlwlOvDjcxtLK2C4lPc5-09WAbygdq1MBzTMhGFr/w580-h640/20220810_175017.1.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We found dinner at Main Street Brewery & Restaurant, underwhelming food but extra points<br /> for the beer and creative taps</span></div><p>At the Cultural Center’s outdoor amphitheater, 30 or 40 people were gathered on concrete steps for the dance demonstration. Half a dozen men and women played drum beats as two adult women and several children of varying ages performed dances. The dancers wore intricate costumes of beading, shells and bells.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeyLpQC93Iezks14Hfa4XKAB-A8B7vnVUr2ADMmxdi-7RecpBcZIPP9Z8nrNskMIPXx3nmxU9FfGd4x4zeLk-w4pWh6GWk83VaUBgx50m8mSQJBM6cfIVv7onM9sXyQftS4WkNkpp0AG_ZDyEadGpnh-LC0nx0OapUN3r-3n8SGmy84dgYROPnQmYW-1M/s2064/20220810_194820.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeyLpQC93Iezks14Hfa4XKAB-A8B7vnVUr2ADMmxdi-7RecpBcZIPP9Z8nrNskMIPXx3nmxU9FfGd4x4zeLk-w4pWh6GWk83VaUBgx50m8mSQJBM6cfIVv7onM9sXyQftS4WkNkpp0AG_ZDyEadGpnh-LC0nx0OapUN3r-3n8SGmy84dgYROPnQmYW-1M/w354-h640/20220810_194820.1.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilroFBAEN2shiuYtGXOndjeIWuYUdXU07OJF9R1kuGV2KKJSAtB0YCB35997w86dIPCOXHtt2XTnj6Wbaaxk3LLsbr6ideGKLh8dgvF3GgMAOBhIFunztzNVBoRxo7uygaLT8-jgo6mu7sBJh2tu8RGOowaany40nVR6nQNW7My4J-3TVUQUMV90wy3_V3/s905/20220810_193824.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilroFBAEN2shiuYtGXOndjeIWuYUdXU07OJF9R1kuGV2KKJSAtB0YCB35997w86dIPCOXHtt2XTnj6Wbaaxk3LLsbr6ideGKLh8dgvF3GgMAOBhIFunztzNVBoRxo7uygaLT8-jgo6mu7sBJh2tu8RGOowaany40nVR6nQNW7My4J-3TVUQUMV90wy3_V3/w538-h640/20220810_193824.2.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><p>Between dances the narrator explained their stories and purposes. Everyone in the ensemble was his child or grandchild, and as the patriarch he has taken on the task of keeping the traditions alive for his people. The event ended with a group dance with audience participation. I’m so glad we had the opportunity for this! It left me wanting to explore more in this corner of Colorado.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39DqImru2UWb0ezUjgecXf4dHLGIvvXEEiN_CSBJXwM6nIJWTrizpt5RCixe05ZYdygz3zbUcZDefhSxbWMEPe59sxxJlZ2ShsqItmsH2Yr_B5O_5lbpmK0ogP5_K6tgnf_dRvClK0burqPzbY1opJTuvLJ3POtZwXSFQhBZsoEF0MpWHuAe4rLwyj1LO/s1080/thumbnail%20(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39DqImru2UWb0ezUjgecXf4dHLGIvvXEEiN_CSBJXwM6nIJWTrizpt5RCixe05ZYdygz3zbUcZDefhSxbWMEPe59sxxJlZ2ShsqItmsH2Yr_B5O_5lbpmK0ogP5_K6tgnf_dRvClK0burqPzbY1opJTuvLJ3POtZwXSFQhBZsoEF0MpWHuAe4rLwyj1LO/w640-h480/thumbnail%20(5).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I have learned that the point of life's walk is not<br /> where or how far I have moved my feet<br /> but how I am moved in my heart."</span></i></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i> ~Anasazi Foundation, <u>The Seven Paths: Changing One's Way of Walking In the World</u></i></div></span><p></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-62940601935279041292023-09-06T14:34:00.001-04:002023-09-06T21:21:56.501-04:00Colorado 2022: Mesa Verde National Park & Point Lookout Hike<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado 2022: Mesa Verde National Park – 8/9/22 – 2.5 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmWHy6zWCaK1mqEE35D4xNkX71roUpdr4NRUbi3kPI4Y9ssrYQV_9nDGYsuAkroC9gQx2T-kuoD5TvoVAM8DCwvN2VZ75cSjBTZJhBIDApZN4hzmB9sbkDunIoEogspJnmgCawGqaaVGJJJe-Rs3Yyv0b3KfBVXT1mfZYB7p-PwQyF9NI227ooGChi3Bw/s2814/20220809_112521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmWHy6zWCaK1mqEE35D4xNkX71roUpdr4NRUbi3kPI4Y9ssrYQV_9nDGYsuAkroC9gQx2T-kuoD5TvoVAM8DCwvN2VZ75cSjBTZJhBIDApZN4hzmB9sbkDunIoEogspJnmgCawGqaaVGJJJe-Rs3Yyv0b3KfBVXT1mfZYB7p-PwQyF9NI227ooGChi3Bw/w516-h640/20220809_112521.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><p>Breakfast on a road trip is usually coffee, yogurt and a cereal bar as Jim and I are itching to start the day’s hiking and sight-seeing. Today we changed it up (I know, aren’t we crazy kids?) by packing up and heading west on Highway 160 to Durango, CO. <i>[Staying in Durango last night would have been great, but that would have pushed an already long day.]</i> <br /><br />The payoff: breakfast at the <a href="https://durangodiner.com/"><span style="color: red;">Durango Diner</span></a>. Vintage, authentic, genuine, whatever you want to call it, this place is the real deal, pouring bottomless cups of coffee for more than 60 years. Photographs covered the walls floor to ceiling. A pay phone with an intact phone book hung on the wall.<br /><br />We squeezed in at the counter to watch the organized chaos. The servers knew their stuff and the cooks knew how to keep things moving. Still, it took a little while to get our food because of the volume (table service and takeout orders too).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5cm3ZcwlKtffOhCeqmrz30Prd4Mn71bg3AkbpALY-IHHtwdZBfdskWiWmk5ouSAOFBgUEAQ7kx_7WLUUfXi9xgcqvHYFBivge9a0caccOY6BMxjAlaJunE08E0n05GJd7_A2lY1BeF9NUC7aSQ6u5ThaFslR1wW3zDA7Mtg8AScwai9sOpsN_ciA1tGH/s3668/20220809_094022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5cm3ZcwlKtffOhCeqmrz30Prd4Mn71bg3AkbpALY-IHHtwdZBfdskWiWmk5ouSAOFBgUEAQ7kx_7WLUUfXi9xgcqvHYFBivge9a0caccOY6BMxjAlaJunE08E0n05GJd7_A2lY1BeF9NUC7aSQ6u5ThaFslR1wW3zDA7Mtg8AScwai9sOpsN_ciA1tGH/w396-h640/20220809_094022.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><p>What would you like with that bottomless cup of coffee, hon? <br /><br />Me: eggs & biscuits & gravy & home fries<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi84Uh6UZUxbt1thZ5pZjhiDkFoZ9y1LLQsPp2nFswpRhj2o5PUz1UG_wtfCgY9eAhbePlvTzJGg0UmBCZ9YHMSNAA-lBoSfVa9n0P24tNcM5fh5yudr1OtEFpChO7UVnowlAxp_jZJgdy4bYF0Cv8uMN7hKI8ibQ27c_8io70K6-TJtVrIBkxsP9l7Pi/s2803/20220809_100413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2803" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi84Uh6UZUxbt1thZ5pZjhiDkFoZ9y1LLQsPp2nFswpRhj2o5PUz1UG_wtfCgY9eAhbePlvTzJGg0UmBCZ9YHMSNAA-lBoSfVa9n0P24tNcM5fh5yudr1OtEFpChO7UVnowlAxp_jZJgdy4bYF0Cv8uMN7hKI8ibQ27c_8io70K6-TJtVrIBkxsP9l7Pi/w518-h640/20220809_100413.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">Jim: the “Cure classic” signature dish, everything covered in green chili sauce<br /> (I couldn’t watch him eat it)</span></div><p>With full stomachs we continued west on Highway 160 and soon reached <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm"><span style="color: red;">Mesa Verde National Park</span></a>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photos of Mesa Verde NP (MEVE) have long fascinated me. Aside from the breathtaking natural features of the mesas and canyons, the impact of human history lingers in thousands of archeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings in the canyon walls that were home to the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) people.<br /><br />Mesa Verde NP was the cornerstone of timing our entire Colorado road trip. Some of the larger sites had just reopened for guided tours after extensive shutdowns (“just” meaning the week of our visit) and we booked reservations to tour Cliff Palace on our second day. <i>[The park website has a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm"><span style="color: red;">very helpful chart</span></a> of drive times between features in the park so you don’t fool yourself into scheduling too much.]<br /><br /></i>Today was for driving and understanding the layout of the park without time constraints, hopefully a hike or two. After a stop at the Visitor Center, we began on the Park Road (well, the only road). Just two miles in, majestic Point Lookout rises from the valley floor, dominating the sky. What an entrance!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE7fL656i4xPz3WwFPTKLdzEPyVcQUb1VEdXZyXNnEkzQwZ-WFHQl0yxhs7OHChhoJM4-yXwKjm-qJsYA-k5CObLMcC14YBzyKCvkz4m9IB45PKx-NyTtFLehsBMOgDnHaTOf9VN7yC2iQK2-1jJyzXYjFsRi365bt7iRRDbrjVpZdJKlN0BElBj0oFtM/s2191/20220809_120246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="2191" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE7fL656i4xPz3WwFPTKLdzEPyVcQUb1VEdXZyXNnEkzQwZ-WFHQl0yxhs7OHChhoJM4-yXwKjm-qJsYA-k5CObLMcC14YBzyKCvkz4m9IB45PKx-NyTtFLehsBMOgDnHaTOf9VN7yC2iQK2-1jJyzXYjFsRi365bt7iRRDbrjVpZdJKlN0BElBj0oFtM/w640-h516/20220809_120246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Okay, we’re convinced we need to get to the top without delay. Point Lookout Trail starts near the amphitheater beyond <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/camping.htm"><span style="color: red;">Morefield Campground.</span></a> As we cruised through, we were surprised that the campground had few occupied sites. Maybe the mid-day transition time? With full services near the entrance (the only gas station, a camp store, restaurant and laundromat) it looks like a very comfortable base. <i>[If you’re going, this is as far as trailers and towed vehicles are allowed. And if you’re not camping, there is a large vehicle parking area near the front entrance to the park.]<br /><br /></i>At the trailhead, just one other car (surprise again). Jim’s socks were still wet from yesterday’s crossing of Medano Creek at Great Sand Dunes NP, so he slid them onto the windshield wipers to dry while we hiked. (Doesn’t everyone do this?)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6DcG7JrkFGYMeRd2Qs1FV5QVOSlNUfPub5AZY4EOjKi0xLFmfwVBoBmKzgV0uJbem7CnXeRNAhtFZ1csg4F2LRn7GQKvgAt8HY-5xa26Puh6GOgR2LE7jyTbxuliFg4QuA0KtZSRCsuhR8LiCtYww6Uxz4z2xni5sZkxgk6BTxsKPEEm1fDhHXLk1z6A/s2086/20220809_122724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="1686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6DcG7JrkFGYMeRd2Qs1FV5QVOSlNUfPub5AZY4EOjKi0xLFmfwVBoBmKzgV0uJbem7CnXeRNAhtFZ1csg4F2LRn7GQKvgAt8HY-5xa26Puh6GOgR2LE7jyTbxuliFg4QuA0KtZSRCsuhR8LiCtYww6Uxz4z2xni5sZkxgk6BTxsKPEEm1fDhHXLk1z6A/w518-h640/20220809_122724.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><p>Another car pulled up as we were setting out, a seasonal employee of the Park. I was impressed that she hikes on her days off. She enthusiastically recommended the Petroglyph Point Trail on Chapin Mesa for tomorrow since Cliff Palace is nearby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbFJ301jW7nQ5FYWMKpE19nL8yLmceyUVB-DRYggDnN9U1uCbPXQPKtYXss0i6PfRuQ-jZOoCUQ1mn8svzVNV3OSKcMztN44ZfW1yqVtH6bbdpvcpk1U1kLH3yJKFDQgHRlKqtAmHLwV_piBOA3D6Jb6plWxDE4kO4nKtEChq3Yd5M-kTOZrzPwwRMnVI/s4032/20220809_122536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbFJ301jW7nQ5FYWMKpE19nL8yLmceyUVB-DRYggDnN9U1uCbPXQPKtYXss0i6PfRuQ-jZOoCUQ1mn8svzVNV3OSKcMztN44ZfW1yqVtH6bbdpvcpk1U1kLH3yJKFDQgHRlKqtAmHLwV_piBOA3D6Jb6plWxDE4kO4nKtEChq3Yd5M-kTOZrzPwwRMnVI/w360-h640/20220809_122536.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Point Lookout is 8,427 feet elevation, which explains my gasping for air on the climb. The trail started out level but quickly changed to steep short switchbacks that zigzagged up the mountain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkhR1UIDukt4vn3_aB4Z4-_EiF1KqH2qkHr3h2sCnogmsVOE_PX-TKbK-e-hLR3_oNWkUqRExuYWCTP5y6pAj0p_890nijmBA37D8XpfVbubmdvZ4V3WLOk5rlxFeFVzkbB-1xuipqI-ZvhuHIaNxfR204UEAvebcMBdzRXSB1lYsV3QCVKzI_nt31V11/s4032/20220809_124248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkhR1UIDukt4vn3_aB4Z4-_EiF1KqH2qkHr3h2sCnogmsVOE_PX-TKbK-e-hLR3_oNWkUqRExuYWCTP5y6pAj0p_890nijmBA37D8XpfVbubmdvZ4V3WLOk5rlxFeFVzkbB-1xuipqI-ZvhuHIaNxfR204UEAvebcMBdzRXSB1lYsV3QCVKzI_nt31V11/w360-h640/20220809_124248.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSEoaVT4FMQnam_TM05wR2GJK9-fZfJ1s-zj5_ELJBA0_J3p4oMAUty_SB--LeSMKwWIQ8AkYOWXdjFibsou4WhvMv29Wr6g-Spic6u_q6rzgUrYvrcrUpJAgb18rm93ntdwYTC1_7Qdxm3vtbkxL4UGhqJ9z30rCUcup9pSPcvgfMGBiF3Mq6Gyq4ECN/s4032/20220809_124741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSEoaVT4FMQnam_TM05wR2GJK9-fZfJ1s-zj5_ELJBA0_J3p4oMAUty_SB--LeSMKwWIQ8AkYOWXdjFibsou4WhvMv29Wr6g-Spic6u_q6rzgUrYvrcrUpJAgb18rm93ntdwYTC1_7Qdxm3vtbkxL4UGhqJ9z30rCUcup9pSPcvgfMGBiF3Mq6Gyq4ECN/w640-h360/20220809_124741.jpg" width="640" /></a>Looking back to the parking lot and Morefield Campground<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZJpBuqicu4DH0_72pFdvC426LNcHFJSUN-e9rNrGwcm1nzBPSyHcaGTjX-HGvXF3ry_9QV5vTlXhIv3fJ-e7eEuFfKWBvEc2SHm4qk__e6SdETC1oVRWUYwtV-3L2J36NY4X7y46_f9w07RxtWVZ2GWD--EEP7ePGcEvJfheo-Gv0mZmONxt6l5uVTj/s4032/20220809_133934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZJpBuqicu4DH0_72pFdvC426LNcHFJSUN-e9rNrGwcm1nzBPSyHcaGTjX-HGvXF3ry_9QV5vTlXhIv3fJ-e7eEuFfKWBvEc2SHm4qk__e6SdETC1oVRWUYwtV-3L2J36NY4X7y46_f9w07RxtWVZ2GWD--EEP7ePGcEvJfheo-Gv0mZmONxt6l5uVTj/w360-h640/20220809_133934.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbiQgAo8qliDfETMumLY6abwQqUAhADGldX9cE74a0XllGEBHYA7D0ovrVrMvCskU9JQtHhnxtR509jokUys07XBSdFafABHYkexupvKb9MVwvh0_A9-U4lTL82nQOlmTnWEfGKh2GJtHTw_UNj4_qkTOcI5g6iKvE8HWqSpC9_GPSPGHCuDBzm8QXWab/s4032/20220809_124428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbiQgAo8qliDfETMumLY6abwQqUAhADGldX9cE74a0XllGEBHYA7D0ovrVrMvCskU9JQtHhnxtR509jokUys07XBSdFafABHYkexupvKb9MVwvh0_A9-U4lTL82nQOlmTnWEfGKh2GJtHTw_UNj4_qkTOcI5g6iKvE8HWqSpC9_GPSPGHCuDBzm8QXWab/w640-h360/20220809_124428.jpg" width="640" /></a>Looking west – the pointy peak on the horizon is Ute Mountain</div><p>The trail delivered us to the mesa on the top of the mountain and led us through half a mile of scrub and twisted trees. Amazing wood sculptures! I am fascinated by the “bones” of dead trees.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyPKEos8CY0SAz1oOORSg3nes3pCbAnwtc_FeGwCkvET7u2WOQwN6Kszshv2Jwp7ElkWQd7zuxk5_y9ilhlv1pV4cOT1xLoROS6U1z6Fh0Zp1_zs9nNYrnnCWC93JOa7AL6qYGnnOvpEHUPebE5nZMEiWygn5yLXUrwI-FrRoe7V7737oMQJVdd5lusvx/s4032/20220809_131148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyPKEos8CY0SAz1oOORSg3nes3pCbAnwtc_FeGwCkvET7u2WOQwN6Kszshv2Jwp7ElkWQd7zuxk5_y9ilhlv1pV4cOT1xLoROS6U1z6Fh0Zp1_zs9nNYrnnCWC93JOa7AL6qYGnnOvpEHUPebE5nZMEiWygn5yLXUrwI-FrRoe7V7737oMQJVdd5lusvx/w640-h360/20220809_131148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AUrXnUTkMkmJlbMD8uXMj-ljN2lsaYYEVMoCtOSP6Y0KeiC0ekTZq3LJCoCEacpTuYUXEWHJAYcxwvq1wo-PJ_z6aM6jtCTs2CohfThur4DTd7ZrJfZ0-p9Vyp88AThsNFfE-ck8OP91x_r_eghwYmuAI2QSq6mlNDejoXqaPtqME-ELumbeTAZLQzXO/s4032/20220809_125959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AUrXnUTkMkmJlbMD8uXMj-ljN2lsaYYEVMoCtOSP6Y0KeiC0ekTZq3LJCoCEacpTuYUXEWHJAYcxwvq1wo-PJ_z6aM6jtCTs2CohfThur4DTd7ZrJfZ0-p9Vyp88AThsNFfE-ck8OP91x_r_eghwYmuAI2QSq6mlNDejoXqaPtqME-ELumbeTAZLQzXO/w360-h640/20220809_125959.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7febo1qJeUIdrevQlJRelYHMlJCx0V6A9PYWNsnD69sLhJjsj_3SFRo_84K10Bf_hq-1MSayzznZhU6_V2uWYRv4KaYo77KLgJHSyyUT7Cb7I4gb2Skx8QZQUhmOv5MmzD5y9K1SWSZD1N6p8R8D3492O9PbxgIekfp_MzeM4pRYYPIpR2EFeqnvoZUX/s4032/20220809_132449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7febo1qJeUIdrevQlJRelYHMlJCx0V6A9PYWNsnD69sLhJjsj_3SFRo_84K10Bf_hq-1MSayzznZhU6_V2uWYRv4KaYo77KLgJHSyyUT7Cb7I4gb2Skx8QZQUhmOv5MmzD5y9K1SWSZD1N6p8R8D3492O9PbxgIekfp_MzeM4pRYYPIpR2EFeqnvoZUX/w360-h640/20220809_132449.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6df1Zrj-TAaBDMtEP9MT2BafMeNUl8bWZDFXB9AI60CfD8aSIsHjHDMNy274DU0ywebYLZHvJmT6dYeKsI-N1Hu2hLAGDt9GcKRwGJPDrGqmlANEZC7l0P6s-B0JOlVJcRJDW-vE05tZW-mQs4dgg9O-EIpn96V-JznXn6GzFTR28WS_XEV-Ep-xIzBS/s4032/20220809_133133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6df1Zrj-TAaBDMtEP9MT2BafMeNUl8bWZDFXB9AI60CfD8aSIsHjHDMNy274DU0ywebYLZHvJmT6dYeKsI-N1Hu2hLAGDt9GcKRwGJPDrGqmlANEZC7l0P6s-B0JOlVJcRJDW-vE05tZW-mQs4dgg9O-EIpn96V-JznXn6GzFTR28WS_XEV-Ep-xIzBS/w640-h360/20220809_133133.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAEiR043T1tIbYOJAa3hQOjZQkSbw1qEDo5_2vS2uq_-h1Op3UUdQk5-uahqCOfc0VQHJmJIlTg7wL66f-gtLYoQEta3RZsyk1MDR3X8Jlyzmavp_xM_wkaIj69gu_D6UI3P3YcRpU3KUXdud0bcDGU0ycfGBm159wxYWShtteUI6dITum_jrDrqjPpq-/s3175/20220809_174546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3175" data-original-width="2215" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAEiR043T1tIbYOJAa3hQOjZQkSbw1qEDo5_2vS2uq_-h1Op3UUdQk5-uahqCOfc0VQHJmJIlTg7wL66f-gtLYoQEta3RZsyk1MDR3X8Jlyzmavp_xM_wkaIj69gu_D6UI3P3YcRpU3KUXdud0bcDGU0ycfGBm159wxYWShtteUI6dITum_jrDrqjPpq-/w446-h640/20220809_174546.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Short side trails to the right lead to the cliff edge</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVVFzOz7uf8e8Zy5TX6gxHLNG5RhvJtHwqaj-BhE3u0Q5Mp3j8d9Pv6EAovqKVJUSwjzVAK8MmcmX_6spRepvZwysp-WyjXf1uLdzVzIo-NNrDqx3ccbg07px2jrpqZQZk-o8QoCvH_U5Bn1z-b5VYSnH2y6Qg2hkVn7qYLrKq5JiMBMVRJTjov3f18Ul/s4032/20220809_130833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVVFzOz7uf8e8Zy5TX6gxHLNG5RhvJtHwqaj-BhE3u0Q5Mp3j8d9Pv6EAovqKVJUSwjzVAK8MmcmX_6spRepvZwysp-WyjXf1uLdzVzIo-NNrDqx3ccbg07px2jrpqZQZk-o8QoCvH_U5Bn1z-b5VYSnH2y6Qg2hkVn7qYLrKq5JiMBMVRJTjov3f18Ul/w640-h360/20220809_130833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wide, flat, bare red dirt and then…nothing</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDghZ2dEFG3B2jyIowf9CPXl3xUQkPufbE08i5Ntg6josc9oeVmKej2JFHKhATMcDxcte9Q10H-IxPfHOWCxhvuSW9Y-boXSvXqp9-bWYhaIoQYtCZkmsNA97Vk2NM4bnSQLWw3InxZQk1e4gl2F3RUhF7ssU5lCUAX30uy87FCzP3HYqOjPN9ejkaf7Dw/s4032/20220809_131529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDghZ2dEFG3B2jyIowf9CPXl3xUQkPufbE08i5Ntg6josc9oeVmKej2JFHKhATMcDxcte9Q10H-IxPfHOWCxhvuSW9Y-boXSvXqp9-bWYhaIoQYtCZkmsNA97Vk2NM4bnSQLWw3InxZQk1e4gl2F3RUhF7ssU5lCUAX30uy87FCzP3HYqOjPN9ejkaf7Dw/w360-h640/20220809_131529.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Road slithering like a snake towards Mancos Valley</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv34PaHxRPmmL2e9T1SKj2XON14n8-oaPwAeWdvUAExqDYEkeh3Vg7ShL0XW0YKmaHtRAVMuO6DLARU8DTQcQXD0ds_kdaO_uOyAwceBHtW5NWgwJkKzQacsSCPu12PFJUarcowjDH4pYnl4UJE5rbWWDEU4vbgUUns-X6fTVzy3XF8LO-ynF_KLIyopq/s4032/20220809_131226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv34PaHxRPmmL2e9T1SKj2XON14n8-oaPwAeWdvUAExqDYEkeh3Vg7ShL0XW0YKmaHtRAVMuO6DLARU8DTQcQXD0ds_kdaO_uOyAwceBHtW5NWgwJkKzQacsSCPu12PFJUarcowjDH4pYnl4UJE5rbWWDEU4vbgUUns-X6fTVzy3XF8LO-ynF_KLIyopq/w640-h360/20220809_131226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trail’s end at the front tip of the mesa, <br />impossible to describe the feeling at the edge of a sheer drop</div><br />The steepness of the trail was just as challenging going down. To distract myself I counted switchbacks (28) and took many photos of flowers and rocks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmZYBDgjDcL_nhV6KvJhIuU0cbyaD4o6PpA60Nz_XWNSuZLyKNZZMz_qkBH-fXedSbI7aeOZxCneJGcsGG08JAk-X_OFH8k-s9imdO2CQEvqK_TpOAiOOwiLYeB930uRRr96_j-LGgkac2KFuCpd6GB_CtV12mw5nBlSs1YC6eWqayiXhBaepIrETLS8L/s4032/20220809_135135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmZYBDgjDcL_nhV6KvJhIuU0cbyaD4o6PpA60Nz_XWNSuZLyKNZZMz_qkBH-fXedSbI7aeOZxCneJGcsGG08JAk-X_OFH8k-s9imdO2CQEvqK_TpOAiOOwiLYeB930uRRr96_j-LGgkac2KFuCpd6GB_CtV12mw5nBlSs1YC6eWqayiXhBaepIrETLS8L/w360-h640/20220809_135135.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Indian paintbrush</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCl74Z9jhS3gq02pxFB09eZ3C4ZdfBm6K8d8cTPP1FqHUnrJ-aMoYGJUCkIIPxhMRDl94VXHQBtUt46lElKpWR5JbOSYAjw-OBBcEa_D5Pvcvg2Y9FnyIwgQBGTJg4Do9kgvy8-XKwsO8RqmD82PguHrNrNMnw2AX00Qq1D7TEx9kDO0xY9nqvcx07LbO/s4032/20220809_123115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCl74Z9jhS3gq02pxFB09eZ3C4ZdfBm6K8d8cTPP1FqHUnrJ-aMoYGJUCkIIPxhMRDl94VXHQBtUt46lElKpWR5JbOSYAjw-OBBcEa_D5Pvcvg2Y9FnyIwgQBGTJg4Do9kgvy8-XKwsO8RqmD82PguHrNrNMnw2AX00Qq1D7TEx9kDO0xY9nqvcx07LbO/w360-h640/20220809_123115.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Snakeweed</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7Md2W4q9CO9ZuOrpUpRFY8cgWZuWQaZuGLUmu4actJz_fpsRi-cm1YQAjihkDUyM-3X3RzeNWpB1rGHzzMmrlzEhJCFcRWzNXZrT0dfRVmJ03vUcPdCS9VwoMH121RTiHGlxHsObWs8Zn8IYwT89I4ft_1MmjoPmhjpypwAT8uTJeQ4ZqriWcMdV4bLr/s4032/20220809_134146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7Md2W4q9CO9ZuOrpUpRFY8cgWZuWQaZuGLUmu4actJz_fpsRi-cm1YQAjihkDUyM-3X3RzeNWpB1rGHzzMmrlzEhJCFcRWzNXZrT0dfRVmJ03vUcPdCS9VwoMH121RTiHGlxHsObWs8Zn8IYwT89I4ft_1MmjoPmhjpypwAT8uTJeQ4ZqriWcMdV4bLr/w360-h640/20220809_134146.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kAZ6B8tEHm0n5K4u-Fy4ombWbhFu2iXqs-JIseT_kkbAFkaj7R6MP4x1NdOLEEU5X4wxOH3-1_Ww2lWd645Hu-4HTnAd7Vz66qsjQwcs21rqehkxfTEMfA3c8ksFaAYgylfbUIJ9ax97OWZaBKHu5-jTzuA_aS6MVs4-MVaB-Xy80ZE3pa9K0uMI10Hf/s4032/20220809_134436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kAZ6B8tEHm0n5K4u-Fy4ombWbhFu2iXqs-JIseT_kkbAFkaj7R6MP4x1NdOLEEU5X4wxOH3-1_Ww2lWd645Hu-4HTnAd7Vz66qsjQwcs21rqehkxfTEMfA3c8ksFaAYgylfbUIJ9ax97OWZaBKHu5-jTzuA_aS6MVs4-MVaB-Xy80ZE3pa9K0uMI10Hf/w640-h360/20220809_134436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Jim’s socks were dry and we continued on Park Road. It’s similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway with overlooks and pulloffs. The difference is that the BRP was built for its own sake as an attraction through the Blue Ridge Mountains, while the Mesa Verde road was built to move people to artifacts and sites after the creation of the Park in 1906. The first short roadway was built in 1913. <i>[Read more <a href="https://www.the-journal.com/articles/the-rough-route-to-mesa-verde-in-the-early-1900s/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.]<br /><br /></i>We passed through Morefield-Prater Tunnel and stopped at the Montezuma Valley Overlook, a short walk out to see an odd-looking formation called the Knife Edge. Before the tunnel was created, this was the passage of a rough road for horses and wagons and early cars to access the top of the mesa in the park. Hmmmm….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2ZxcU0_EWctvJNSrBQTtkFPtTw1CIXtHltCzUyxo2goZPg5U-_83xV-NImBR-H9AYiA3tAnyQEKQWdyZj-WVWXDaVDmB0sjshD14P9R7Vrcn7sIrv9lT5r6lLbkqKrpnzP5tsmBKWwxdlmfuPd7Id4q-2ouvuu_2D1LTYwXqnNe99lIsdEnLlxuhqB-a/s2487/20220809_142549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2ZxcU0_EWctvJNSrBQTtkFPtTw1CIXtHltCzUyxo2goZPg5U-_83xV-NImBR-H9AYiA3tAnyQEKQWdyZj-WVWXDaVDmB0sjshD14P9R7Vrcn7sIrv9lT5r6lLbkqKrpnzP5tsmBKWwxdlmfuPd7Id4q-2ouvuu_2D1LTYwXqnNe99lIsdEnLlxuhqB-a/w584-h640/20220809_142549.jpg" width="584" /></a></div><p>A park display at the trailhead explains: “A dirt road was completed in 1923. However, rock falls and landslides made the annual maintenance costs extremely high. This section of the road was abandoned in 1957 when the Morefield-Prater Tunnel was constructed. “</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqev1mQMCT-GfDlG4RtKuGg7B1OFB3Fhn4IYNEdM7O05sHkMIaMzPHEx1CDe8FwXldE6Cb2iY0VkjrKGjvr-yIuZ_h5_hrOmjpWkH7fn7Jr6ldC37Yej7vk-mK1hxDMiRVmHRhjI0aBjCYi6lEjM6zX6x95E8fydK1seOfdDbxeclNfJKeUJmukqXKWBQl/s2592/20220809_142805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqev1mQMCT-GfDlG4RtKuGg7B1OFB3Fhn4IYNEdM7O05sHkMIaMzPHEx1CDe8FwXldE6Cb2iY0VkjrKGjvr-yIuZ_h5_hrOmjpWkH7fn7Jr6ldC37Yej7vk-mK1hxDMiRVmHRhjI0aBjCYi6lEjM6zX6x95E8fydK1seOfdDbxeclNfJKeUJmukqXKWBQl/w640-h480/20220809_142805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking southwest from Montezuma Valley Overlook, Ute Mountain again on the far horizon</div><br />Next stop, Park Point Lookout is at 8,572 feet elevation (couldn’t they think of something to better distinguish between this and Point Lookout Trail?) This is an active manned lookout tower, today “womanned” by a ranger who scans every 15 minutes for fires, storms, and other weather phenomena. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21jExMZosjAbAQf-qHlUSuQadwWuK14XvamniSOTUbeyLj46Lxke2DX6J-IRmY3IDN8ikR3lJDTGpekcihShUqqegn3oO51Q-TgwOAgSMZl6OnRZ4by-IwAx81mOAMYMjvHH-glm_jdbNqbbX2V4HGOzbWoiolaMxKMyahDiKmh_1OL7wiLAWbV1n0kV1/s4032/20220809_150403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21jExMZosjAbAQf-qHlUSuQadwWuK14XvamniSOTUbeyLj46Lxke2DX6J-IRmY3IDN8ikR3lJDTGpekcihShUqqegn3oO51Q-TgwOAgSMZl6OnRZ4by-IwAx81mOAMYMjvHH-glm_jdbNqbbX2V4HGOzbWoiolaMxKMyahDiKmh_1OL7wiLAWbV1n0kV1/w640-h360/20220809_150403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A short trail north gives expansive views over the valley. We could see the town of Cortez to the west where we’ll be staying the next two nights. To the east we saw lightning and storm clouds releasing solid sheets of rain, moving towards us from the La Plata Mountains.<br /><br />A short drive further to our last stop for today at Geologic Overlook (I’m getting the idea of simple names). There is only a pit toilet and a short trail to a different vantage point for watching storms forming and moving over the expansive Montezuma Valley. Don’t take these overlooks for granted, there is always something amazing to see!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vYPcpFMWdy5jWl-lG0zq-hydve1dqOlfucSW11MVGPF4NcfPwWiLVsrnh2R_f-hVaNTt-XVP8e5oh08LZBCKbqetI6thg4CYY1Ey1AiGxqG6JZmsTJqIZBvmAIEVnvT9Oek4Zz0rhLd-ALol1V5Uea4hF7RA4dnu2dVfjddlc-4hW_RhuzN6aCRaXjmM/s4032/20220809_153329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vYPcpFMWdy5jWl-lG0zq-hydve1dqOlfucSW11MVGPF4NcfPwWiLVsrnh2R_f-hVaNTt-XVP8e5oh08LZBCKbqetI6thg4CYY1Ey1AiGxqG6JZmsTJqIZBvmAIEVnvT9Oek4Zz0rhLd-ALol1V5Uea4hF7RA4dnu2dVfjddlc-4hW_RhuzN6aCRaXjmM/w640-h360/20220809_153329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Tomorrow we’ll return and drive deeper into the Park along Chapin Mesa. For now, we found our Airbnb in Cortez, a modest one-story home on a residential street, then wandered around the small town to find <a href="https://www.wildedgebrewing.com/ "><span style="color: red;">Wild Edge Brewing Collective</span></a> on a side street. We listened to a lone musician playing Celtic music on guitar as we toasted to another fine day in Colorado.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjl3e4IKXq7cjzdXiDP25OBtKeK6BU0Lec4Ata1lmWLovrz2c6gzD6hrp-azX9vl_RvcnW1FAbi91etPT23uKifbXj-QQO0Atl5_oKgHo16F1hg-v1MHVNCsCsLTfp6KX4JIrZW0KGhPBgVDcCMWLwzmM0PT454ciioH-JAYB-tp6J28yAiD7jU7we9A/s3687/20220809_173856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3687" data-original-width="2180" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjl3e4IKXq7cjzdXiDP25OBtKeK6BU0Lec4Ata1lmWLovrz2c6gzD6hrp-azX9vl_RvcnW1FAbi91etPT23uKifbXj-QQO0Atl5_oKgHo16F1hg-v1MHVNCsCsLTfp6KX4JIrZW0KGhPBgVDcCMWLwzmM0PT454ciioH-JAYB-tp6J28yAiD7jU7we9A/w378-h640/20220809_173856.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bjMeMkTL7WoQOpGOSYTt-NKGfQ1_79ArjusT4f1h2U7WCnFetZYDmuUjW5y51TbZONfLGeYNS1x3EgBWAtZF9SS29ykIKP3CIExgI--XsEU3epMIWJRqLtXkhrI_1iyR-Nl8XXOh4J5Qc7LC9EqYshvM_Z4XzOBywm0pj64fPQH5c3a0VMZEjzINUXWO/s4032/20220809_181113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bjMeMkTL7WoQOpGOSYTt-NKGfQ1_79ArjusT4f1h2U7WCnFetZYDmuUjW5y51TbZONfLGeYNS1x3EgBWAtZF9SS29ykIKP3CIExgI--XsEU3epMIWJRqLtXkhrI_1iyR-Nl8XXOh4J5Qc7LC9EqYshvM_Z4XzOBywm0pj64fPQH5c3a0VMZEjzINUXWO/w360-h640/20220809_181113.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda9vjbqsPIhSY8fUAkgYm-uTFYR9niBfGbOA_3uzbEJ3qKSz2iEYm7xsAdPiWfhDLLgpf3cv0fLUMqTyMpjVbHPaI1Nh4lQ1qdxuiq8k4FFUIwt9C2QfsA-7O2OKyYW4lVw5rv6oxW5tYE2PLc2mbxLlYPTCfXs23q1bPp71fE19yhMeGAgUQLg8j41XH/s1080/thumbnail.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda9vjbqsPIhSY8fUAkgYm-uTFYR9niBfGbOA_3uzbEJ3qKSz2iEYm7xsAdPiWfhDLLgpf3cv0fLUMqTyMpjVbHPaI1Nh4lQ1qdxuiq8k4FFUIwt9C2QfsA-7O2OKyYW4lVw5rv6oxW5tYE2PLc2mbxLlYPTCfXs23q1bPp71fE19yhMeGAgUQLg8j41XH/w640-h480/thumbnail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>"I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center."<br /> ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-40413818560096946322023-08-02T09:30:00.003-04:002023-08-02T10:53:27.751-04:00 Colorado 2022: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado 2022: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve - 8/8/22 – 2.5 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnfRWYCxMEOEr1gH2QOu6ml7S7Iu9KomASFMabdtMMANl3M4RQHN0qXtDm5SQLzrsgOImyDpWNVlWRJHYdxPSi8PyzzCm_S-oO_LV6HcdmC1ZUESahUlSTuaRA3MGRzWuQmN9dVY77c01k54Rz_DTSSx0FPIF48x0BlH9xS8u-1sGm_uyA6hZJO5NcQnK/s4032/20220808_131140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnfRWYCxMEOEr1gH2QOu6ml7S7Iu9KomASFMabdtMMANl3M4RQHN0qXtDm5SQLzrsgOImyDpWNVlWRJHYdxPSi8PyzzCm_S-oO_LV6HcdmC1ZUESahUlSTuaRA3MGRzWuQmN9dVY77c01k54Rz_DTSSx0FPIF48x0BlH9xS8u-1sGm_uyA6hZJO5NcQnK/w640-h360/20220808_131140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A cup of coffee, a wave goodbye to the little trolley and we hit the road. In my head I divide long drives into parts: Phase I was southbound on I-25, then a left onto Highway 160 at Walsenburg. As the miles clicked by, I referred to the paper map folded on my lap, taking in Colorado’s split personality: dusty desert flatlands to the east, 14’ers to the south and west. Not all the mountains were named on my map, but I played at identifying a few.<br /><br />Driving west on Highway 160, the pointy peak of <a href="https://spanishpeakscountry.com/silver-mountain/ "><span style="color: red;">Silver Mountain</span></a> stands out at 10,525 feet. She is soon eclipsed by her bigger sisters of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. <i>[Note: there are numerous Silver Mountains in CO; this one is in Huerfano County.]</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZKJhXpzmAY29QqZ8v52NdvuiMPw6JSW45NGN9BXNtlJtSr3M2TBXWEBFsEotpNKGKOiWHsdO-mYkKuBMM25mqHwB7o8z-vy6jaJDQY99ohuHam1UeKTRoRsOMu_LY5ezTjeHrVBVZrks3wMdWUKysm3d9phcS0SH35Ms_-RI8SMR2O_gmGcQ6YPSHTQP/s2132/20220808_100858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="1835" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZKJhXpzmAY29QqZ8v52NdvuiMPw6JSW45NGN9BXNtlJtSr3M2TBXWEBFsEotpNKGKOiWHsdO-mYkKuBMM25mqHwB7o8z-vy6jaJDQY99ohuHam1UeKTRoRsOMu_LY5ezTjeHrVBVZrks3wMdWUKysm3d9phcS0SH35Ms_-RI8SMR2O_gmGcQ6YPSHTQP/w550-h640/20220808_100858.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><p><i>Read <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/silver-mountain-colorado/ "><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about conservation efforts on working cattle and bison ranches for Silver Mountain Preserve.<br /><br /></i>At another right turn onto Hwy 150, we were looking straight at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/index.htm"><span style="color: red;">Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve</span></a>, still 10 miles away. More Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop to a thin line of sand at the base that grew and grew as we approached – 330 square miles of SAND. These are the tallest dunes in North America.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k46x_8FwR8eETmhs12i-OAl5JXB8qfr1cdSlycdfJfRcJ95GlCJAcca_rMItOwUYQCFOSNsR3w2XjfMFe6iiT2Ag5MdSX1_twSwlb3Ee0JXO5eBzCeXxJJJUA8aBu3RA5z_XYBVVXURhiXqErZQ7mqGYv5hNhCaILya2cl3pljxPLmkZDEaXEjM38QM1/s3295/20220808_110450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3295" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k46x_8FwR8eETmhs12i-OAl5JXB8qfr1cdSlycdfJfRcJ95GlCJAcca_rMItOwUYQCFOSNsR3w2XjfMFe6iiT2Ag5MdSX1_twSwlb3Ee0JXO5eBzCeXxJJJUA8aBu3RA5z_XYBVVXURhiXqErZQ7mqGYv5hNhCaILya2cl3pljxPLmkZDEaXEjM38QM1/w640-h378/20220808_110450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgboxYkpDd-dAYxEUS_5-XsvGxKNhmLTiM7qMQfyxYYwteIUiTUvrddGmFoD7YVolbhbGkSzF-v4kWKhIeO07Jscd8GapIb2dmIHBNPFQ6ZaDpQ30JosU4w6JJr5L7n-unZweTJ8JkBN9xRc-pMxCj_15Y1KuWHc35s-7gxGBnCMzp7fsZEYKlreDlBls/s4032/20220808_111950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgboxYkpDd-dAYxEUS_5-XsvGxKNhmLTiM7qMQfyxYYwteIUiTUvrddGmFoD7YVolbhbGkSzF-v4kWKhIeO07Jscd8GapIb2dmIHBNPFQ6ZaDpQ30JosU4w6JJr5L7n-unZweTJ8JkBN9xRc-pMxCj_15Y1KuWHc35s-7gxGBnCMzp7fsZEYKlreDlBls/w640-h360/20220808_111950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The park is open 24/7 (the Visitor Center has varying hours). Frontcountry campsites are available in the park and backcountry sites accessed via primitive roads (check for 4WD requirements). Special sand wheelchairs can be reserved at the Visitor Center. <i>Learn more <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/national-park-profile-great-sand-dunes-national-park-preserve "><span style="color: red;">here</span></a></i>.<br /><br />We stopped at the VC first to buy cheap sunglasses and fill up with water. <i>(Always have plenty of water, the sun is hot and hiking in sand is hard work!)</i> The vivid blue sky and white puffy clouds beckoned, but we knew not to be fooled, that thunderstorms come up fast and frequently on hot afternoons.<br /><br />Surprise – we have to cross Medano Creek to get to the dunes! The braided creekbed (meaning a network of channels instead of one big flow) is usually dry in late summer, but she was flowing today. There was no chance of hopping small channels to keep our feet dry, so we took off socks and shoes to wade. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0b-iOH966Amzt0Ap9koN4opPzkxyE5j-1gvxUvXm2FP7C75fTH2Urp-H84TH65QPvhXcsNSgtitfbvmUdqsa8bS1epdId011JuETs6pus0eTvzgPn-hY5HGhM6nDPbWYJsm5IfgTB6S_wZNI2BLxS2DWuXqimu8lV_IsApv_YpvzoS1MHkjbOIQM_8dW/s4032/20220808_120529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0b-iOH966Amzt0Ap9koN4opPzkxyE5j-1gvxUvXm2FP7C75fTH2Urp-H84TH65QPvhXcsNSgtitfbvmUdqsa8bS1epdId011JuETs6pus0eTvzgPn-hY5HGhM6nDPbWYJsm5IfgTB6S_wZNI2BLxS2DWuXqimu8lV_IsApv_YpvzoS1MHkjbOIQM_8dW/w640-h360/20220808_120529.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPee9I96EN3wk2hBq3ZNp4WqPRw8nppmot1MGv9-QExNVCcNxMrSsUnklvDpan3djv809Br0Kbd2q7JEVe8E_PcaNavDO1cE9Vlq4yWgRfFe2hT3QB0o1X1S7RYOxZ9vN6KixAEW_9BWqmDxFmCYsnIC9ZyT6wMwd5fBBQGbM8587KQy2P4ubCtuyM9nk/s2592/20220808_120622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPee9I96EN3wk2hBq3ZNp4WqPRw8nppmot1MGv9-QExNVCcNxMrSsUnklvDpan3djv809Br0Kbd2q7JEVe8E_PcaNavDO1cE9Vlq4yWgRfFe2hT3QB0o1X1S7RYOxZ9vN6KixAEW_9BWqmDxFmCYsnIC9ZyT6wMwd5fBBQGbM8587KQy2P4ubCtuyM9nk/w640-h480/20220808_120622.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Wading in the water added a cool dimension to the towering dunes landscape</span></div><p>I was nervous about hiking the dunes. With elevation starting at 8,200 feet, I doubted my lung capacity and endurance, so I wouldn’t commit to a goal of time or distance. And there are no trails on the dunes, just make your own path. I wasn’t tempted to hike miles to the highest dunes (Star Dune and Hidden Dune). Hint: you can’t see them from Medano Creek). I just wanted to walk until I decided to turn back. <i>[Read more <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/hiking.htm"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> about hiking in GSRA.]</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXTATikHhlgkyqIfV0BSnx8NaVKTeAjaTs76ASIskml2Xe6g-90w0_Qop6_s78aHSk9sAKKXgwCeckitt6W3xzW24zGCREQ5-QbJL2gvitolQE5pNRshlUFlQnvIMTSkudZh5sJK4-31pewF9WHERxMZbtdhZbpCVgC27sVhdV9MCpQ1aICA4SKrIM-CW/s960/298752356_10226594167627707_6525594147914304199_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXTATikHhlgkyqIfV0BSnx8NaVKTeAjaTs76ASIskml2Xe6g-90w0_Qop6_s78aHSk9sAKKXgwCeckitt6W3xzW24zGCREQ5-QbJL2gvitolQE5pNRshlUFlQnvIMTSkudZh5sJK4-31pewF9WHERxMZbtdhZbpCVgC27sVhdV9MCpQ1aICA4SKrIM-CW/w640-h480/298752356_10226594167627707_6525594147914304199_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Most visitors didn’t venture too far beyond the river. The crowds were soon behind us, some valiant souls ahead of us. We followed footprints ascending the dunes, choosing our way from crest line to crest line. It was lung-busting at times, but I walked slowly and intentionally. I was very glad for my Walmart hiking poles! Jim left his in the car.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFvun-5XfbJX8WiviF_8EzUZB9AT34WpeVoJQcb2h7rnbxI4dPvsAp7n9iupk3pF7htNEyt3mla1ya2Uh0D3sUBAd5Go2uuuooguVxApZoksMc3cK-_-HdKSomRsyTXeCEpDKK8hjfkc13k6Yyxr7RMwGnSvl5HvluSCsFUDEpAkzhAOuZ3y0zLnB14S/s4032/20220808_123753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFvun-5XfbJX8WiviF_8EzUZB9AT34WpeVoJQcb2h7rnbxI4dPvsAp7n9iupk3pF7htNEyt3mla1ya2Uh0D3sUBAd5Go2uuuooguVxApZoksMc3cK-_-HdKSomRsyTXeCEpDKK8hjfkc13k6Yyxr7RMwGnSvl5HvluSCsFUDEpAkzhAOuZ3y0zLnB14S/w640-h360/20220808_123753.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Perspective: Jim in the center of the photo, heading towards the tiny dot people on the horizon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYeG5RJbRX4LJOnFqmylAePK7iRObTFfQYgCo7ZJWvNDN5niPPbjuIKNo8y4yatFja2IlzyI0yAxj5u8z04Wjxe3tFdHek_vtJE_uxm8bMCRfhgCvIvCmFK4ytYAcp_hCutyVH6NrpMwSFS4pVa7rsQag_H73Qhe9McuEFYgNTH41wms_D5cyBOlJ-NF4/s4032/20220808_123953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYeG5RJbRX4LJOnFqmylAePK7iRObTFfQYgCo7ZJWvNDN5niPPbjuIKNo8y4yatFja2IlzyI0yAxj5u8z04Wjxe3tFdHek_vtJE_uxm8bMCRfhgCvIvCmFK4ytYAcp_hCutyVH6NrpMwSFS4pVa7rsQag_H73Qhe9McuEFYgNTH41wms_D5cyBOlJ-NF4/w360-h640/20220808_123953.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Climbing on faith that there is something at the top</div><p>If hiking isn’t enough, sand boards can be rented from the VC to haul up the dunes and (hopefully) slide back down. We saw a couple of folks getting the hang of it on slippery dry sand, but most people were having trouble where the sand was damp.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUcNMCeDDqgydMihinZ4CpebalyuHNfp1ePRMcXlaCP__f8RX4STq5a6PvSJW_UguFJv1TU9Yeyl4FtZWAuEvgCYUcmg2TuMyw3U68HqMNIBPXmr6_GitbMfereDSv2J_caGuhGOb6K_6DJYyvWTSATe05aFD-SqaF9fV89kv8OibVJl9siol4lqKzrMH/s2311/20220808_124727.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2311" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUcNMCeDDqgydMihinZ4CpebalyuHNfp1ePRMcXlaCP__f8RX4STq5a6PvSJW_UguFJv1TU9Yeyl4FtZWAuEvgCYUcmg2TuMyw3U68HqMNIBPXmr6_GitbMfereDSv2J_caGuhGOb6K_6DJYyvWTSATe05aFD-SqaF9fV89kv8OibVJl9siol4lqKzrMH/w640-h628/20220808_124727.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Walking up the dunes was challenging, running down them was great fun. Standing still to take it all in was humbling. All in all, I hiked higher and longer than I thought I would and enjoyed it more than anticipated. With a few rest stops and photo ops, it took 3 hours to go 2.5 miles round trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs7dU29ZRnFhI18nZ0lFK7sXTdW9LpAEO8sfrsgMgGCM8MsEMuXCF2GXqXKLtRBKfSo0dICakvHawX0JFjsOLVQszDxfcbeK2OcO4QftGkfTObxzRWi93oy7P0UgqyYF3scs1N9cMtDI4pW0QN_CLZJ8kKvO_0kr9MPAY2u476GRfCSZaRT5UmK9OF74R/s960/298801739_10226594168667733_1307740277392866911_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs7dU29ZRnFhI18nZ0lFK7sXTdW9LpAEO8sfrsgMgGCM8MsEMuXCF2GXqXKLtRBKfSo0dICakvHawX0JFjsOLVQszDxfcbeK2OcO4QftGkfTObxzRWi93oy7P0UgqyYF3scs1N9cMtDI4pW0QN_CLZJ8kKvO_0kr9MPAY2u476GRfCSZaRT5UmK9OF74R/w480-h640/298801739_10226594168667733_1307740277392866911_n.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We spent half a day at GRSA, but I’d recommend at least an overnight as there is more to do than just walk on the dunes, such as searching for wildlife and hiking forested trails up into the mountains. This is an International Dark Sky Park so spending a night lying on the sand is on my “return” list! If time allows, the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/baca"><span style="color: red;">Baca National Wildlife Refuge</span></a> is next door for more exploration.<br /><br /><i>Note: Jim kept his boots on to cross back over Medano Creek. Tomorrow he will wish he hadn't.<br /><br /></i>We’re not done driving yet. Phase II was a two-hour drive on Highway 160 to our one-night stay in Pagosa Springs. Highway 160 famously climbs up and over Wolf Creek Pass, the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains. Beautiful alpine forest on all sides, broken up by devastating swaths of tree trunks killed by bark beetles. The steep mountain pass tops out at 10,857 feet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw16LYRqbT9JOrMmQdoa7fSDHa0-7XQ4nPGbApRZcrei_HInBteIJbdCnQq8Cb8wDyQ4tDW6NuCbS2XdBkXIID23loHHfk7sRPxStCg0c3OubE0QG2iJWi_AM1X5-V3S8jLux0XmxqxKfx0qzl7XbTJ48srk5M-isboirVL7Lej2HpSbNUbszfB14oLz9/s4032/20220808_161843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw16LYRqbT9JOrMmQdoa7fSDHa0-7XQ4nPGbApRZcrei_HInBteIJbdCnQq8Cb8wDyQ4tDW6NuCbS2XdBkXIID23loHHfk7sRPxStCg0c3OubE0QG2iJWi_AM1X5-V3S8jLux0XmxqxKfx0qzl7XbTJ48srk5M-isboirVL7Lej2HpSbNUbszfB14oLz9/w640-h360/20220808_161843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>What could have been an awe-inspiring scenic drive was dampened (literally) as a powerful thunderstorm pursued us. Jim gripped the steering wheel and powered through. We were both glad to arrive in Pagosa Springs, later than planned, no time at all to look around the town. We just wanted to get cleaned up and get food. Our Airbnb was further out of town than I expected, adding to the stress of the long drive. Rather than guessing at a good place to eat, I texted our host, who suggested the local favorite Mexican restaurant, <a href="https://chavolospagosasprings.com/"><span style="color: red;">Chavolo’s</span></a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme-89OtgozSe1bfu6M27tdDX941oUrwKN9F_U_nSyv-MbpXon0lE14rcHJfF47FnK6a_dEKJU_8gNaOXTtxnGhkDdzWG5SYenj4RIo5Rd4SHl9Cw1jN9k-yZgI7pWHGi7rN5vpcMiL1m8dtLzDr4yPiJ07sl0uDwJ-oavSKMTo5wBKIMbfvbRS1eZ5wCk/s4032/20220808_182531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme-89OtgozSe1bfu6M27tdDX941oUrwKN9F_U_nSyv-MbpXon0lE14rcHJfF47FnK6a_dEKJU_8gNaOXTtxnGhkDdzWG5SYenj4RIo5Rd4SHl9Cw1jN9k-yZgI7pWHGi7rN5vpcMiL1m8dtLzDr4yPiJ07sl0uDwJ-oavSKMTo5wBKIMbfvbRS1eZ5wCk/w640-h360/20220808_182531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A gallon-sized margarita and a delicious sampler platter of nachos, flautas and tacos – whew!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87B1j4awEEWFOP1EObepvTfTchX7u7XkO2LjNswGEiLmEESyvye-SMG9YSUUpJ6m7Lh1RPL7AoKlY6Dk1g0in96atR2KZzcmxFFTEnzG0zUq-ut_b2N_sjnaFQkUMCbNG8tIcR-SECpbLaYM7Ipn2F40GmmGHlckov04vb21b3gkWxQXcqeMKzN_8hRzo/s4032/20220808_111131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87B1j4awEEWFOP1EObepvTfTchX7u7XkO2LjNswGEiLmEESyvye-SMG9YSUUpJ6m7Lh1RPL7AoKlY6Dk1g0in96atR2KZzcmxFFTEnzG0zUq-ut_b2N_sjnaFQkUMCbNG8tIcR-SECpbLaYM7Ipn2F40GmmGHlckov04vb21b3gkWxQXcqeMKzN_8hRzo/w640-h360/20220808_111131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;">“Faith is taking the first step even when<br /> you don't see the whole staircase.</i><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;">”<br /></i><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;">~Martin Luther King, Jr.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-16241673204192315032023-07-31T21:53:00.002-04:002023-08-01T10:26:22.385-04:00Colorado 2022: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods & Colorado Springs<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado 2022: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs – 8/7/22 – 4 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1JuD8eG446ybG58jhOcfR1s83Ik1tSCCTiLVCK394iIsuczOWMGi4zmQ9T4LYJFhm8PeWz06dZnmAGQis7j2n9bZ2QkgaouJ2b_ylnP4b9TBrwUcw01k8xZv4qtGIhoEH1UXInl4uxRirVz6H99VmHIsNmWYbS4mdZHnyU7DZtp0nRuxp7oi38snsuO-/s1889/20220807_102705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="1519" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1JuD8eG446ybG58jhOcfR1s83Ik1tSCCTiLVCK394iIsuczOWMGi4zmQ9T4LYJFhm8PeWz06dZnmAGQis7j2n9bZ2QkgaouJ2b_ylnP4b9TBrwUcw01k8xZv4qtGIhoEH1UXInl4uxRirVz6H99VmHIsNmWYbS4mdZHnyU7DZtp0nRuxp7oi38snsuO-/w514-h640/20220807_102705.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><p>In a high-level planning meeting (pizza, beer & cider) Jim and I pitched summer travel ideas to each other. We’ve gotten good at this game: come up with five ideas each, do enough research to show you’ll work for it, and together we whittle it down to one or two for further study. <br /><br />Contestants included Idaho, Oregon, Upstate New York, Colorado, and a few others, all outdoors oriented. Colorado wasn’t at the top of either list, until we started digging deeper. National parks? Check. Cooler temperatures in summer? Check. Easy flight? A direct and inexpensive flight made Colorado our top choice. <br /><i><br />Ten days before our departure, our daughter-in-law suffered a serious broken ankle, leaving her in a townhouse with their 4-month-old baby, 2 dogs, 2 cats, unable to walk or drive. We live nearby and considered canceling our trip, but friends rallied to help – and best of all, their little family moved into our larger and more accessible house during our absence. So we were “helping” by leaving!<br /><br /></i>Flying to Denver at the crack of dawn, traveling light with no checked bags, the only unnecessary thing I carried was a persistent cough and cold from baby Benjamin. We picked up our rental car and headed to Colorado Springs, the first stop on our ambitious road trip. <br /><br />En route we stopped at Walmart to buy food and supplies. No checked bags meant I didn’t bring my hiking poles. I bought a set at Walmart for $22 and they were perfect for our short dayhikes. Much better than a checked bag costing $35 each way (not to mention the possibility of the airline losing it)!<br /><br />We spent our first two nights in Old Colorado City, first established as a town in the summer of 1859 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, providing supplies to eager miners on their way to Ute Pass to get rich quick. It is now a neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Late in the afternoon, we walked around as the artsy shops were closing. At OCC Brewery, we sat at the sidewalk bar with a view of Pikes Peak on the horizon and watched the world go by. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U2a8R6X15V_iCw-ja_aZh-CMMmkr9wzkTADMv90gfBTPTlWTpG8FjxYMuL8RRK9avCeVjhuVMwTdoIYz-NSSauwIMPfiJrKcSelLr6oHJecEYlxxj9--mnc5M7s73lTdQoV9fnayjyma7FYN4nxUthr9weMbEFnlJZpwkyT-PmMquPP106BMnoxotc2y/s3801/20220806_164508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3801" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U2a8R6X15V_iCw-ja_aZh-CMMmkr9wzkTADMv90gfBTPTlWTpG8FjxYMuL8RRK9avCeVjhuVMwTdoIYz-NSSauwIMPfiJrKcSelLr6oHJecEYlxxj9--mnc5M7s73lTdQoV9fnayjyma7FYN4nxUthr9weMbEFnlJZpwkyT-PmMquPP106BMnoxotc2y/w382-h640/20220806_164508.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><p>Our Airbnb was a repurposed trolley car, unique, adorable, well-equipped and comfortable. A long travel day with the time change - lights out at 8pm! Jim was glad I had serious cough and cold medicine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70JC8HoDeXX4M56g39kWYPHxJhE7qT9xmU4gz3CJJofrcv6tLTPy7lj0_enqsi3H-08splfx2dB40GJ5ss_UnnqYu8yDL9NEGokL9AT8Yjs6SMR4qmOYdOeqZsVLqwIz3uS8uLl4IXo6VkX_cmHFyvJFHHwynTtohk7z-ho5sZ7T1hAOx0Un0KEKrHnsl/s4032/20220806_135906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70JC8HoDeXX4M56g39kWYPHxJhE7qT9xmU4gz3CJJofrcv6tLTPy7lj0_enqsi3H-08splfx2dB40GJ5ss_UnnqYu8yDL9NEGokL9AT8Yjs6SMR4qmOYdOeqZsVLqwIz3uS8uLl4IXo6VkX_cmHFyvJFHHwynTtohk7z-ho5sZ7T1hAOx0Un0KEKrHnsl/w360-h640/20220806_135906.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDZSbTIfSJLTHd9vyTnkaI0eb1-6TO7k6Qh7Y3IjLwuAQrAI9RPnhPfekh17RJR7f0ZDOyr18baQxfADtqnTN9mo4vnF3SmDlnXQFRuUa8u8z7sA_M8YZt5fpZcySXOTY7lUQyp78j_OC5CGsaNsUfEAVKbUyFcIoRiJyM1B3BkeSiv64y6Z7ZkXe-LW0/s4032/20220806_140147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDZSbTIfSJLTHd9vyTnkaI0eb1-6TO7k6Qh7Y3IjLwuAQrAI9RPnhPfekh17RJR7f0ZDOyr18baQxfADtqnTN9mo4vnF3SmDlnXQFRuUa8u8z7sA_M8YZt5fpZcySXOTY7lUQyp78j_OC5CGsaNsUfEAVKbUyFcIoRiJyM1B3BkeSiv64y6Z7ZkXe-LW0/w360-h640/20220806_140147.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>After a good night’s rest and morning coffee, we headed to the mountain known to the indigenous Ute people as Tavá Kaa-vi, the Sun Mountain. In 1806, it was “discovered” by American explorer Zebulon Pike. Read more about the Ute people <a href="https://www.pikes-peak.com/the-ute-and-pikes-peak"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> and check out a detailed timeline of history of the mountain <a href="https://www.pikespeak.us.com/learn/history-of-pikes-pea"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>. <i>For this blog post I will refer to the mountain as Pikes Peak</i>.<br /><br />Pikes Peak, part of the Rocky Mountains, is the most visited mountain in North America. It’s one of Colorado’s 14-ers, 14,115 feet above sea level. It’s also 8,000 feet higher than Colorado Springs, so we knew we were going up up up on Pikes Peak Highway 20 miles to the summit. The road is crazy steep in some places, with several pull-offs to try to capture the view. Good luck with that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_02HGATF-uQMP263LpEiQmNfZRscMwp_kd1Qkng5dLQBrOA6OIRRsgYdG5V3YNg3Rbhyj5RRM4Y2n5DaefdgbteVnovemXJkWgafJlzNHAEIsdktNiRWPCjA7FxA8HgR-8OIcTd8iRXYtMwsySQP4rVWy0Wh5Y02j23zXuZFRrkbaz0LN9NtigFl9cbW/s4032/20220807_090756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_02HGATF-uQMP263LpEiQmNfZRscMwp_kd1Qkng5dLQBrOA6OIRRsgYdG5V3YNg3Rbhyj5RRM4Y2n5DaefdgbteVnovemXJkWgafJlzNHAEIsdktNiRWPCjA7FxA8HgR-8OIcTd8iRXYtMwsySQP4rVWy0Wh5Y02j23zXuZFRrkbaz0LN9NtigFl9cbW/w640-h360/20220807_090756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnb3Sapgi9vCDnQph5haSEpJaAZ5Dap6QMIcnYPXgnfeVwaP_zRBsUlyzuwbGA7Fcpb8UrpqZcJ5AUjc5guRontoz6ZVeaW00RA2q1mA8AqZMq8hxwdJLvRLEHIiYJJxt2ePozouadCI32NiF0iuHkis8EFN6Ll_Jpt6z3YsyPoHrERb-GDMQdIU_CN-p/s4032/20220807_093506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnb3Sapgi9vCDnQph5haSEpJaAZ5Dap6QMIcnYPXgnfeVwaP_zRBsUlyzuwbGA7Fcpb8UrpqZcJ5AUjc5guRontoz6ZVeaW00RA2q1mA8AqZMq8hxwdJLvRLEHIiYJJxt2ePozouadCI32NiF0iuHkis8EFN6Ll_Jpt6z3YsyPoHrERb-GDMQdIU_CN-p/w640-h360/20220807_093506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiRN4tAUCVhZCCvUr6wwdoQoJXXznG3z-bbbz9FFaeiOBA8oBEDE9ByGeMk9SJDNG4XLY7M8dh0VtnOB6ZWIREyf5AqUKkWw20XwfamO1Dd6FgFzGkRRIgC7XuEXdLI5hx6IuqGioioNHdIRoKXZw--FymqVEmP9_ci3Mhq3IlfS4HSTgrf554EfTyuvC/s4032/20220807_094533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiRN4tAUCVhZCCvUr6wwdoQoJXXznG3z-bbbz9FFaeiOBA8oBEDE9ByGeMk9SJDNG4XLY7M8dh0VtnOB6ZWIREyf5AqUKkWw20XwfamO1Dd6FgFzGkRRIgC7XuEXdLI5hx6IuqGioioNHdIRoKXZw--FymqVEmP9_ci3Mhq3IlfS4HSTgrf554EfTyuvC/w640-h360/20220807_094533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The top of the mountain is a broad moonscape of rocks (basketball size to tailgate cooler size) with boardwalks to keep humans off whatever vegetation there is. The temperature had dropped dramatically so we donned hats and coats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM1j_Nhhh-4zYWwqDhU7Sv50Msuk6v4Hlfy8NOiVxPk0khjngGT30bpVg4Ii8Hv4nXeMscc5FX_P8ftC_BO67YLGnPaaeUy9mlczAZuQMqGJlcDnQwT_vFJCvNu6OEnQB3o0isCw4XPLpx7-ndsxAemMW2AIbqiZf6d7lbNzQwdbTjCCPMBmt_3knddzJ/s2534/20220807_102757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM1j_Nhhh-4zYWwqDhU7Sv50Msuk6v4Hlfy8NOiVxPk0khjngGT30bpVg4Ii8Hv4nXeMscc5FX_P8ftC_BO67YLGnPaaeUy9mlczAZuQMqGJlcDnQwT_vFJCvNu6OEnQB3o0isCw4XPLpx7-ndsxAemMW2AIbqiZf6d7lbNzQwdbTjCCPMBmt_3knddzJ/w570-h640/20220807_102757.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxNfJn18nUxTuCOVBcDSWgoRw5z0MqWRWVRF4ordUgVCoiYf7f8ru56Mrhyi-LV8xZGmjW5I_yzVn5lTWgZ7pGZE0uBtivhfI-z0Ei8dEiiRbh0qMtHA0eXeXKn6YUo9ZynzMOu2V1GdW9yNj_6vvrPuvs6_GL_AuJLThq3g9xqjFmCAiwjmnunA7S0XJ/s4032/20220807_101313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxNfJn18nUxTuCOVBcDSWgoRw5z0MqWRWVRF4ordUgVCoiYf7f8ru56Mrhyi-LV8xZGmjW5I_yzVn5lTWgZ7pGZE0uBtivhfI-z0Ei8dEiiRbh0qMtHA0eXeXKn6YUo9ZynzMOu2V1GdW9yNj_6vvrPuvs6_GL_AuJLThq3g9xqjFmCAiwjmnunA7S0XJ/w640-h360/20220807_101313.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTonhwHYhJdpNaRBjAcfkiX9AvNg9qCxanC2YdoeeIULazTaBnZn_Ee20mX1OEu43EuExkKCCR9ZWk6NdCJNABSyF6WMpKWKy3ZPiiK9dPsk0s2I3-CaMsNiXXOND6OfgbKbHqDqEChkJC14Os2wSpyVlBpSjOTks3wpFuoD_tnEZwNPKwDjD0IPmt5k44/s711/20220807_103053.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="605" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTonhwHYhJdpNaRBjAcfkiX9AvNg9qCxanC2YdoeeIULazTaBnZn_Ee20mX1OEu43EuExkKCCR9ZWk6NdCJNABSyF6WMpKWKy3ZPiiK9dPsk0s2I3-CaMsNiXXOND6OfgbKbHqDqEChkJC14Os2wSpyVlBpSjOTks3wpFuoD_tnEZwNPKwDjD0IPmt5k44/w544-h640/20220807_103053.1.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Resident marmots can go wherever they want</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCC4v-taESw7tDeYAuWAIJlOPPa2I-yGRh9-dKfTWepa4EB-q9t-0iFwGkjtWiMhYQHsxTzz5nepYnyqYUhdDWYk7aJc68IdDUFhlQOfUvN4YigkkG5ZnE3bqrKbxl_-yFXmtyTBmo-gIu_ELRVYc0Kj9ngqemL_Lm4zPhRiQxZaBgsi95MeLwaWPw7n2/s4032/20220807_100218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCC4v-taESw7tDeYAuWAIJlOPPa2I-yGRh9-dKfTWepa4EB-q9t-0iFwGkjtWiMhYQHsxTzz5nepYnyqYUhdDWYk7aJc68IdDUFhlQOfUvN4YigkkG5ZnE3bqrKbxl_-yFXmtyTBmo-gIu_ELRVYc0Kj9ngqemL_Lm4zPhRiQxZaBgsi95MeLwaWPw7n2/w640-h360/20220807_100218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The new <a href="https://www.pikes-peak.com/summit-visitor-center/ "><span style="color: red;">Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center</span></a> opened to the public on June 24, 2021</div><br />Jim had never been at elevation above 10,000 feet and when he walked up a short set of steps at his regular pace, he was surprised to be short-winded at just a little effort. I also felt it, but expected to, but I didn’t get a headache as I had feared. <i>[My experiences with altitude have been mixed, sometimes okay, sometimes debilitating.]<br /><br /></i>On the drive up we passed several cyclists climbing to the top. One of them arrived at the summit sign as we were taking photos. Jim was excited and asked about the climb – the guy had ridden from Montreal! In a charming French accent he said, “Yes, I am in very good shape.”<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaklTkzr1T0ETOWs4gkg49zR5rVdi2w3kGNXSbJcBhjxwi__Hg4vHfiix7lth371BKdVfzAFCVtVWKB99Y5tMWALJdYT9BuQw6Lym8ewg-BCj6YzaXxt2aOnTLhwZUFuqIVYvyt3KeQWJ9tSxm9sVs6_iY-EFiP3DFumLZW4nFy3Ve6DuVbfOXp3H9btC6/s833/thumbnail.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="833" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaklTkzr1T0ETOWs4gkg49zR5rVdi2w3kGNXSbJcBhjxwi__Hg4vHfiix7lth371BKdVfzAFCVtVWKB99Y5tMWALJdYT9BuQw6Lym8ewg-BCj6YzaXxt2aOnTLhwZUFuqIVYvyt3KeQWJ9tSxm9sVs6_iY-EFiP3DFumLZW4nFy3Ve6DuVbfOXp3H9btC6/w640-h622/thumbnail.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvfzk5TVQ-Q8BbnSbRQP1pXxADEjyWf0BJy8k_sHtpnYUXM46Bs79ck0yMq6XN-QvfhR14FxOR6aWbWBXgkxOq4_zIRRPin0ENw_T8r7s7H0UTW1JGwvAiqzUdvVTqu5oibRhybNZroZkqFXHYsvdc07gn3EGLKEKmUDrWbB2A7XoG06612p7ra4HQ4KX/s2860/20220807_101639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvfzk5TVQ-Q8BbnSbRQP1pXxADEjyWf0BJy8k_sHtpnYUXM46Bs79ck0yMq6XN-QvfhR14FxOR6aWbWBXgkxOq4_zIRRPin0ENw_T8r7s7H0UTW1JGwvAiqzUdvVTqu5oibRhybNZroZkqFXHYsvdc07gn3EGLKEKmUDrWbB2A7XoG06612p7ra4HQ4KX/w508-h640/20220807_101639.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVeqsq98HcPyMmsHXM7k0qQGw5b3pQeGp7GcyJO6FOU_9o1-TbY4OR4YBNykuSoc5l7HSqwj6iYajoLFFFF7rys4jknoobe8le07eBKEywlCW6F0j6oEp67FJoFj1RAvNzN9QP_7G_fYgI6EpGb8oh0d3Hy1jCLWfCPQYZGWxsTGoVTilKHdRVC3Z5NuV/s1278/20220807_101654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVeqsq98HcPyMmsHXM7k0qQGw5b3pQeGp7GcyJO6FOU_9o1-TbY4OR4YBNykuSoc5l7HSqwj6iYajoLFFFF7rys4jknoobe8le07eBKEywlCW6F0j6oEp67FJoFj1RAvNzN9QP_7G_fYgI6EpGb8oh0d3Hy1jCLWfCPQYZGWxsTGoVTilKHdRVC3Z5NuV/w572-h640/20220807_101654.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzmz8i33Rhgsy7vcLY-Ohfazu-9awIoRmFnjwZx7OzbtXMioo5eOqw8zzENnJzZ8qJpMnoqgyNNPR9gKXQfDtiwAZeq7iP7j5kgeD_3t4lJtDB6tbx_BWeevyfS3w_a9YSE_ziR4W14a0m1qkRYsQBS3LcH29eZ88WIPaT9QxjRVfWAC-WIi6-rLf8ajn/s1966/20220807_104720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzmz8i33Rhgsy7vcLY-Ohfazu-9awIoRmFnjwZx7OzbtXMioo5eOqw8zzENnJzZ8qJpMnoqgyNNPR9gKXQfDtiwAZeq7iP7j5kgeD_3t4lJtDB6tbx_BWeevyfS3w_a9YSE_ziR4W14a0m1qkRYsQBS3LcH29eZ88WIPaT9QxjRVfWAC-WIi6-rLf8ajn/w632-h640/20220807_104720.jpg" width="632" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">We wandered around all the boardwalks and overlooks, met a man named Steve who was on a trip to celebrate his 65th birthday. Everyone should be like Steve – do something awesome on your birthday!<br /></span><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyYKwNtw3fJFCJF_NxLgWxXdtwqpGH-wuYZxwC5WNm26VCn7FInVYYaAFoP9Fut_aQL_t9mRSi0iDk2ym3GRRTaA0AHqa5M-5cdXTXnwKoACer_hj-vjopAHU5_wHQeVR0ZQ5FYd_oTCSEiZdvvRHVIWwINM9aeWId2g2D6Vbxmp3GiVmh7L5ZsR33TId/s1080/cog%20railway.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyYKwNtw3fJFCJF_NxLgWxXdtwqpGH-wuYZxwC5WNm26VCn7FInVYYaAFoP9Fut_aQL_t9mRSi0iDk2ym3GRRTaA0AHqa5M-5cdXTXnwKoACer_hj-vjopAHU5_wHQeVR0ZQ5FYd_oTCSEiZdvvRHVIWwINM9aeWId2g2D6Vbxmp3GiVmh7L5ZsR33TId/w640-h480/cog%20railway.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Another way to reach the top is the three-hour round trip ride on the </span><a href="https://www.cograilway.com/ " style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Pikes Peak Cog Railway</span></a><span style="text-align: left;"> starting from Manitou Springs. </span><i style="text-align: left;">[We didn’t go this route because it only allows for 40 minutes at the summit.]</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y9f1wSCFEHlhlYFO4h8ECtVOj8b0ecko67OshG6o7ByfrsYL1iY4shEvaxUaJz_ALV0-RaeI-WPWoMNnmxU5QL4ALzR-6JjFug2SNFHRMNlSUkKxdjEVk07WVLhk3NQQur57kxL4WVttfdLLkhioC5oCHO8u66MkQMIM7ZzzBDj2ZGaErMEY5-9Lh-6R/s3397/20220807_105137.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="3397" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y9f1wSCFEHlhlYFO4h8ECtVOj8b0ecko67OshG6o7ByfrsYL1iY4shEvaxUaJz_ALV0-RaeI-WPWoMNnmxU5QL4ALzR-6JjFug2SNFHRMNlSUkKxdjEVk07WVLhk3NQQur57kxL4WVttfdLLkhioC5oCHO8u66MkQMIM7ZzzBDj2ZGaErMEY5-9Lh-6R/w640-h306/20220807_105137.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a viewing stand, waving my arms so you know it’s me</div><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScAcs2Zgt7r-CHvVE9R8tFx2dKZxeJe_lM0jfHa5oJidq0e4UafcVw0cc3fvPX_AZ-XGNC2LdYFspxKq-MV1OZVDSZs67t6tJ2o3e_DIBV0Sj1Yo1bThS6ftxaVu9brxUFYik4Ye6h-Cc0fP-F2keodwovq995wtZ59pGitAizJsJYDsouyXvocqRRqfg/s4032/20220807_105349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScAcs2Zgt7r-CHvVE9R8tFx2dKZxeJe_lM0jfHa5oJidq0e4UafcVw0cc3fvPX_AZ-XGNC2LdYFspxKq-MV1OZVDSZs67t6tJ2o3e_DIBV0Sj1Yo1bThS6ftxaVu9brxUFYik4Ye6h-Cc0fP-F2keodwovq995wtZ59pGitAizJsJYDsouyXvocqRRqfg/w640-h360/20220807_105349.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQHj84KnV5MIqWGoycd7HsYGVDnUmLepiYRO2p0KjV1y5mZEDtNleZjCBSzWxNWYixQYPHzSgxhv7t3kKCEh1otfVQBqkfNCN09fv8xkBq36q42zktBer_T2Xm-UMjHDDLCVx54MuuPxKvFBlp-dgkhQVkl4P_ZSEMN1Jqp-RjXYGBbqo3nRuNboyEEzk/s2737/20220807_111323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQHj84KnV5MIqWGoycd7HsYGVDnUmLepiYRO2p0KjV1y5mZEDtNleZjCBSzWxNWYixQYPHzSgxhv7t3kKCEh1otfVQBqkfNCN09fv8xkBq36q42zktBer_T2Xm-UMjHDDLCVx54MuuPxKvFBlp-dgkhQVkl4P_ZSEMN1Jqp-RjXYGBbqo3nRuNboyEEzk/w528-h640/20220807_111323.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mile-Hi Donuts are the specialty in the VC cafeteria. <br />One of these plus coffee had me buzzing for hours.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCZ7KQwenvQcImD79UWZ0siYrHVKseKG6kwlQg1ZecyC_EewCjFY4wXQQhI4r25i2fnjJGPXataaKk3o3vvlQdsNriEzsIGgtSLe2oaoxQh3Tbd_R7k3g6rzMQnEhmUQ78C5lKbIiCRnbxeDBjXJzEL3AOk5HGhHkNQamoFTGZzOvPx158x3eZ-CSLFSE/s2592/20220807_120509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCZ7KQwenvQcImD79UWZ0siYrHVKseKG6kwlQg1ZecyC_EewCjFY4wXQQhI4r25i2fnjJGPXataaKk3o3vvlQdsNriEzsIGgtSLe2oaoxQh3Tbd_R7k3g6rzMQnEhmUQ78C5lKbIiCRnbxeDBjXJzEL3AOk5HGhHkNQamoFTGZzOvPx158x3eZ-CSLFSE/w640-h480/20220807_120509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Descending the winding road was as exciting as the ascent, discovering more viewpoints</div><br />Next on the agenda: <a href="https://gardenofgods.com/ "><span style="color: red;">Garden of the Gods</span></a> (another sacred site for the Ute people and other indigenous nations). This 1,341-acre National Natural Landmark was donated to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909 by the family of deceased owner Charles Elliott Perkins, with the provision that it be a free public park. <i>[Read more history <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_the_Gods"><span style="color: red;">here on Wikipedia</span></a>.]</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLBdLwoC5F4FzCGJIoMGQdhgDItkJCValPmDriTDwyyG7lWc4uJ1lKeJ0tcLdf08JnS5JRQDAoRVQ4Ph3B_A4RwEiLtUCqlN-eS3CHBqh5plOcWqY9wAfdVwIVTOcwEdjE--Aq9mxi3JxmZiKNxTyD8Zqb2meaQWIe6bR6Z2IJupSNng9lyeA_N09UExI/s2357/20220807_135701_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="2357" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLBdLwoC5F4FzCGJIoMGQdhgDItkJCValPmDriTDwyyG7lWc4uJ1lKeJ0tcLdf08JnS5JRQDAoRVQ4Ph3B_A4RwEiLtUCqlN-eS3CHBqh5plOcWqY9wAfdVwIVTOcwEdjE--Aq9mxi3JxmZiKNxTyD8Zqb2meaQWIe6bR6Z2IJupSNng9lyeA_N09UExI/w640-h436/20220807_135701_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We began at the VERY crowded visitor center, but couldn’t get through the mob to see exhibits, so we grabbed a map showing 21 miles of trails. Hmmm? With the benefit of two minutes of advice from an intrepid staffer, we went for the standard option: the Gateway Trail to the Perkins Central Garden Trail that winds through the heart of the rock formations.<br /><br />Paved walkways, good signage and maps make this an accessible and interesting walk for all ages. The red rocks seem to erupt from the flat valley floor. Did I mention it was VERY crowded and VERY HOT? So let’s just look at some photos and make up your own captions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzQjhiqHXbzOO08wDsMWtVASETmavvFOFVAlsq3Tnyqd2CZWjcCTbVyz1mqOj-IIZmVG4VP-fzmuVQ2bRNHL0px-xh7JqjU2VEvm4GyRaDXux-VhEwkThd9CgKq3bhAzMN6GCRh5JwKDTU-547TMMsJIYixQuP4BQRmhE1IhMRGIeYo8F8t_uBj4PBsi/s3653/20220807_144137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3653" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzQjhiqHXbzOO08wDsMWtVASETmavvFOFVAlsq3Tnyqd2CZWjcCTbVyz1mqOj-IIZmVG4VP-fzmuVQ2bRNHL0px-xh7JqjU2VEvm4GyRaDXux-VhEwkThd9CgKq3bhAzMN6GCRh5JwKDTU-547TMMsJIYixQuP4BQRmhE1IhMRGIeYo8F8t_uBj4PBsi/w640-h398/20220807_144137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ZbU4fAALJ8VEq-VggZ3B8pkBrJJYoU-_QLgs33eqzEK0fke-icjTmQhfsILvWFXYaTUWcT5fT1bKJiO3utpYQOUJhRs-bWxRQ4jzKkRU-4z-URQEuhIE_EaopzGUpZqjc5saFTaMH39JENFLlgMTo4WF-tdDWEDE9JZCtVUTF8M-AC8vRcIBwn5on12/s3033/20220807_145205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ZbU4fAALJ8VEq-VggZ3B8pkBrJJYoU-_QLgs33eqzEK0fke-icjTmQhfsILvWFXYaTUWcT5fT1bKJiO3utpYQOUJhRs-bWxRQ4jzKkRU-4z-URQEuhIE_EaopzGUpZqjc5saFTaMH39JENFLlgMTo4WF-tdDWEDE9JZCtVUTF8M-AC8vRcIBwn5on12/w478-h640/20220807_145205.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE1sM9J32j8T1r2evNS1xEFAPx9TXjCgDqjEyHIzrpTZLfPWptQlIvPbsVmNx4cg9IYhOftHvulOJLA_9Lf2oRLEv-KthLq6zU1sNlJoPjkMvYoSV9UUUVnALpGUoG0o7nLP3uezM568H7pFwbyU8kAh7pkvgTVA-zPGkTAhWs7bg7zVj0EXzO74fFk8W/s3513/20220807_151019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3513" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE1sM9J32j8T1r2evNS1xEFAPx9TXjCgDqjEyHIzrpTZLfPWptQlIvPbsVmNx4cg9IYhOftHvulOJLA_9Lf2oRLEv-KthLq6zU1sNlJoPjkMvYoSV9UUUVnALpGUoG0o7nLP3uezM568H7pFwbyU8kAh7pkvgTVA-zPGkTAhWs7bg7zVj0EXzO74fFk8W/w640-h414/20220807_151019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWHbhPlPG4ZpApsQHkzaCNP7N8z9ShNRc_POz4G2NCCXuluzqt04bh59YTlXYZGYGFsEvhdsvg_fL4pW6VeqyOgH5pnced_gP57-oasgdKkMeSguy_jx5g9FLlHh2IC3-7XS247OP2baIR9EaURlOkdR6Tcy1sKcbfC9pirKV24od2sdxa3T6TEG6cdHG/s4032/20220807_150842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWHbhPlPG4ZpApsQHkzaCNP7N8z9ShNRc_POz4G2NCCXuluzqt04bh59YTlXYZGYGFsEvhdsvg_fL4pW6VeqyOgH5pnced_gP57-oasgdKkMeSguy_jx5g9FLlHh2IC3-7XS247OP2baIR9EaURlOkdR6Tcy1sKcbfC9pirKV24od2sdxa3T6TEG6cdHG/w360-h640/20220807_150842.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKutSX44eYlTqzZdXeKNJcr8URngyZzHo2jvLxPCL95fW_ynYjR8gsXfujWBhjdVS9SHsoSq1FFGUpgeV4iuYrTALM-1oQ6O_c2HVlzem5NZZIaEwQ3rRprHJuiHC9DwjgOq6CwgAoGhPqKjGMOKyl9FBU74PLJJQJIAC1lfqC2d3MIsZZFLBhm3tYPSWA/s960/298768260_10226594166987691_738402221888849354_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKutSX44eYlTqzZdXeKNJcr8URngyZzHo2jvLxPCL95fW_ynYjR8gsXfujWBhjdVS9SHsoSq1FFGUpgeV4iuYrTALM-1oQ6O_c2HVlzem5NZZIaEwQ3rRprHJuiHC9DwjgOq6CwgAoGhPqKjGMOKyl9FBU74PLJJQJIAC1lfqC2d3MIsZZFLBhm3tYPSWA/w480-h640/298768260_10226594166987691_738402221888849354_n.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Three Graces</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ABA0cGaf3Pg7PaiL9Ni2GIeeyktG-idIDqY27Pke2C1dunJidmrnkQxA1E2IIp9w8_yBDltMFnuMZ_FUMfxMGIBnJQl78_-nbFdilzDrY-oZGj0b8aiAzChhmrsRzNFYqKJ0PmlzmcVy2htjE3U5Ctjwim4W8QLYXwNYJtvW12k0eFRXnXa11Uy49fW/s1560/20220807_182012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1560" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ABA0cGaf3Pg7PaiL9Ni2GIeeyktG-idIDqY27Pke2C1dunJidmrnkQxA1E2IIp9w8_yBDltMFnuMZ_FUMfxMGIBnJQl78_-nbFdilzDrY-oZGj0b8aiAzChhmrsRzNFYqKJ0PmlzmcVy2htjE3U5Ctjwim4W8QLYXwNYJtvW12k0eFRXnXa11Uy49fW/w640-h624/20220807_182012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner and beverages at Manitou Brewing Company in cute little Manitou Springs<br /> (aka Gatlinburg to my NC friends)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKHarAZ-u9U1PFt3tY-r8WC8oSB1ZN19c4jzq0GiH4CNDcF3lyKLZjNI1bQGQB9BrSlpokIU2GNsUmV2ZrN3hIK7DncD2l2ZJYsnAElhdcZ4-JVud-gyPNTGmwCOSyAUX3fhfiSkwiA-8T3b3WlNp1YLcUGWLh4A0Z6Kxn11KmNVl4q_vgh7yEsAk5k1a/s3734/20220807_165511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3734" data-original-width="2230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKHarAZ-u9U1PFt3tY-r8WC8oSB1ZN19c4jzq0GiH4CNDcF3lyKLZjNI1bQGQB9BrSlpokIU2GNsUmV2ZrN3hIK7DncD2l2ZJYsnAElhdcZ4-JVud-gyPNTGmwCOSyAUX3fhfiSkwiA-8T3b3WlNp1YLcUGWLh4A0Z6Kxn11KmNVl4q_vgh7yEsAk5k1a/w382-h640/20220807_165511.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><p>Back at our cozy little trolley home-away-from-home, a thunderstorm came through, lulling us to sleep with rain pounding on the roof. Tomorrow we’re heading south.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“When it don’t rain, the roof don’t leak</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>When it rains, I can’t fix it nohow.” <br />~Robert A. Heinlein</i></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-46523292863390182242023-07-09T15:46:00.001-04:002023-07-09T15:46:06.210-04:00Pisgah 400: Untangling A Knot & Black Mountain Trail<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: Untangling A Knot & Black Mountain Trail - 7/20/22 – 10.3 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Z2LcfEhblYTevCL_oXnMPnpEnPUfm3Ep7ICrimmfgjzVzk2fdfesj8uahv28ZqkoHZ7X8fnieIPq-7WttLYzeiZ-TajevQMuoZw7VjNKO_BpPGN7uQ4adq3iQ_2hBf4hFIUwkbFYjRZVfMNzdgrj2yRaaHUTR94zJU0eYGW9K6Enq_J2xZ3frzaPHW3/s3542/20220720_105356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3542" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Z2LcfEhblYTevCL_oXnMPnpEnPUfm3Ep7ICrimmfgjzVzk2fdfesj8uahv28ZqkoHZ7X8fnieIPq-7WttLYzeiZ-TajevQMuoZw7VjNKO_BpPGN7uQ4adq3iQ_2hBf4hFIUwkbFYjRZVfMNzdgrj2yRaaHUTR94zJU0eYGW9K6Enq_J2xZ3frzaPHW3/w408-h640/20220720_105356.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Deep in the heart of Pisgah National Forest</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">My hike plan in Pisgah NF started from Turkey Pen Gap. I’ve driven the gravel road to the Gap before, but today was a whole ‘nother level of “rough.” After an eternity of dodging bathtub-sized potholes (also bouncing in and out of a few) I arrived at the empty parking area. My spidey sense told me that maybe leaving my car at the end of a bad road on a deserted weekday wasn’t a good choice.<br /><br />Go to Plan B. <i>(On this multi-day visit to Pisgah NF, I’d left multiple hike plans with Jim and kept him advised of what I was doing and where my car would be at all times.)<br /><br /></i>The Black Mountain trailhead parking is off Highway 276, just before the Visitor Center and nearly opposite the entrance to Davidson River Campground. It’s a busy lot, the launching pad for mountain bikers as well as hikers.<br /><br />The parking was easy but this hike plan was less straightforward, as I soon learned that the tangle of trails on the ground was more complicated than depicted on my paper maps. Even my GAIA maps contained inaccuracies. I recorded my route so that if confusion came up, I could get myself back to my car.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS09-xxdPtnNIbxcIwbo_pFhBmd_ZUcP1hSgHLTHMYLqWnUz_LQiDeeycROxqUrvwOQrNlLKOiFj6NfoAl_pGK26IFc5AahAiaPr1FvMt2sKErYZucsUoe3twX4rP63uOu5_NRgCIT4C_KgILs1Op5gVY3NiQbycky9yCDSl4ZMn-ZYa7Fcsx8WzDyeIo/s2103/20220720_093354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2103" data-original-width="1431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS09-xxdPtnNIbxcIwbo_pFhBmd_ZUcP1hSgHLTHMYLqWnUz_LQiDeeycROxqUrvwOQrNlLKOiFj6NfoAl_pGK26IFc5AahAiaPr1FvMt2sKErYZucsUoe3twX4rP63uOu5_NRgCIT4C_KgILs1Op5gVY3NiQbycky9yCDSl4ZMn-ZYa7Fcsx8WzDyeIo/w436-h640/20220720_093354.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting on a gravel track that GAIA calls Starnes Branch Road <i>[should be “Starens.”]</i> <br />There’s a Black Mountain Trail sign somewhere in the weeds.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428RFi4JpesQpSB28am3n9O8OsaI3QydUGnz7eaPN10iSal16byxXY5kIkqwHWKdhUosUSX9Go-NIng9D92NEtJIz0NW58TvtjMOvc2oY3yEjdDMpuQS96NWO00oc9reibu-AJncJoLRkcWs1MuuoabCFlhktdTeZazQwGew26ThFJPqf_LOYbj7sgn42/s4032/20220720_094314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428RFi4JpesQpSB28am3n9O8OsaI3QydUGnz7eaPN10iSal16byxXY5kIkqwHWKdhUosUSX9Go-NIng9D92NEtJIz0NW58TvtjMOvc2oY3yEjdDMpuQS96NWO00oc9reibu-AJncJoLRkcWs1MuuoabCFlhktdTeZazQwGew26ThFJPqf_LOYbj7sgn42/w640-h360/20220720_094314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bikes have been here</div><br />At a U-shaped bend, the roadbed goes right and becomes Thrift Cove Trail (#603), while Black Mountain Trail (#127) continues straight. I stuck with Thrift Cove Trail as it makes a nice loop intersecting Black Mountain Trail further up. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i0s1rctUUiUxppTMyGmp5pJqCQlOMOVDdt4hZnv4A8FncHuBj8DNoA2Ddln5ur2rquoVNZ6lBnd5cyUUpk19uzKIo4DbQIKjQWwiTDbP8r0aV_FQ9caaw-YYX7Kej0CAwHZkf2DKwC0_VjWZXe5m7Fma2G8s94tzhpck5tSneBIOK0uzY93E3h72HU4G/s2496/20220720_094632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2496" data-original-width="2007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i0s1rctUUiUxppTMyGmp5pJqCQlOMOVDdt4hZnv4A8FncHuBj8DNoA2Ddln5ur2rquoVNZ6lBnd5cyUUpk19uzKIo4DbQIKjQWwiTDbP8r0aV_FQ9caaw-YYX7Kej0CAwHZkf2DKwC0_VjWZXe5m7Fma2G8s94tzhpck5tSneBIOK0uzY93E3h72HU4G/w514-h640/20220720_094632.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fungus show was still in town</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-KG8v7SeleczZv5gchSSuB8jXurbk406BjL42sq62hC4YQz9qdOYd-3tS4icMZQACuYxzcbtGMvwIWEbRAf2qz3ojjflutBuSnnplclh6LwfrpBI3k74S43nF7HSncaFt7SDMLIs5r2MV0OZtEJwDe8kgqSHCxhYGTCEV7XOJOWdn5bvUQPHU8tPfP75/s4032/20220720_094931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-KG8v7SeleczZv5gchSSuB8jXurbk406BjL42sq62hC4YQz9qdOYd-3tS4icMZQACuYxzcbtGMvwIWEbRAf2qz3ojjflutBuSnnplclh6LwfrpBI3k74S43nF7HSncaFt7SDMLIs5r2MV0OZtEJwDe8kgqSHCxhYGTCEV7XOJOWdn5bvUQPHU8tPfP75/w360-h640/20220720_094931.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-_yZ29blFcWsd3UAlICmppsK3FUL8IuN5HwMP0_LRMy-6Zray9J0mxgGqAQNWqwp0GE6wixWQg4t_YdNq1IqHxFLmvEd1xJMp3X5tkSt_0mXxFFt4e1KGhEo2h8bg4opJvtgESBfM_O3SV21hD0QEW7ndLJnXT0TsL_c-VmM_8UljIX1BS5Q4Sqa4eWE/s4032/20220720_095136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-_yZ29blFcWsd3UAlICmppsK3FUL8IuN5HwMP0_LRMy-6Zray9J0mxgGqAQNWqwp0GE6wixWQg4t_YdNq1IqHxFLmvEd1xJMp3X5tkSt_0mXxFFt4e1KGhEo2h8bg4opJvtgESBfM_O3SV21hD0QEW7ndLJnXT0TsL_c-VmM_8UljIX1BS5Q4Sqa4eWE/w360-h640/20220720_095136.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I discovered Starens Branch Trail (#127A). On GAIA it’s called “Black Mountain Connector.”<br />A very nice hiking-only shortcut that I walked out-and-back to Thrift Cove Trail.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRTQ-2AldYZ4xgcolsbjfj318snUZYMs6pSiVaZoV4xDD76LDv3_uisYI3UAsnvnD2yMsD6le0_2ddn9tx0jPIyncy8hI_1lB8ktDEZ3eFe0yESX3sDBDC1GQ7oOZSN_6pGBSNPIdaaPMHdnPB2zby0q-js_Wvg48lwuxpOB4h2UdhX_-6m9XCdhCt5PA/s4032/20220720_102024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRTQ-2AldYZ4xgcolsbjfj318snUZYMs6pSiVaZoV4xDD76LDv3_uisYI3UAsnvnD2yMsD6le0_2ddn9tx0jPIyncy8hI_1lB8ktDEZ3eFe0yESX3sDBDC1GQ7oOZSN_6pGBSNPIdaaPMHdnPB2zby0q-js_Wvg48lwuxpOB4h2UdhX_-6m9XCdhCt5PA/w360-h640/20220720_102024.jpg" width="360" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Next I turned right onto Grassy Road Trail (#364) and walked to its intersection with Sycamore<br /> Cove Trail. I enjoyed this sweet, level, solitary trail. Again I retraced steps to Thrift Cove Trail.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT52dnNnM9ulet413Tx4uNtVRXrEgJRcJSIc8r5j_hqqOq07Ov2bb0sLiw-6hg4THNBTnISPnmATxSIwxD8TmgaOdbVXZ9byUuuk3R-eNSOq8dmovTq0mtKckfPJR5KxcSkJ_F1k8W0PCzhGmnwYY3wJ5NdUAOWlArqBjvcWpegKFyop5-_COT6AbAixte/s4032/20220720_105320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT52dnNnM9ulet413Tx4uNtVRXrEgJRcJSIc8r5j_hqqOq07Ov2bb0sLiw-6hg4THNBTnISPnmATxSIwxD8TmgaOdbVXZ9byUuuk3R-eNSOq8dmovTq0mtKckfPJR5KxcSkJ_F1k8W0PCzhGmnwYY3wJ5NdUAOWlArqBjvcWpegKFyop5-_COT6AbAixte/w360-h640/20220720_105320.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br />Now that the knot of intersecting trails was untangled, it was time to climb the mountain.<br /><br />Thrift Cove Trail is a wide, undulating old roadbed that climbs about 2 miles to connect to Black Mountain Trail. A lone mountain biker started up just ahead of me. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlus_5JvzIHD8yZG6JxgAQ-FEn3uVDWdq4OvIBFBSRij0HAa7L5eof9KFxV7cg1IBy15TGml7hVuRe1EGaagWcdmr01sPDDSLPae9QU07qHB0ZqF0XbiaRPYNJ_GJr0QJTDtHwdTfS0A55_PTFcJ7F-fFxG_hCYFO1K1DcxQoYq7winKTveiUjntbyZsL/s4032/20220720_111756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlus_5JvzIHD8yZG6JxgAQ-FEn3uVDWdq4OvIBFBSRij0HAa7L5eof9KFxV7cg1IBy15TGml7hVuRe1EGaagWcdmr01sPDDSLPae9QU07qHB0ZqF0XbiaRPYNJ_GJr0QJTDtHwdTfS0A55_PTFcJ7F-fFxG_hCYFO1K1DcxQoYq7winKTveiUjntbyZsL/w360-h640/20220720_111756.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQnpUx_m5fJGt9-04umH2QtCspxrnQB_uSzjQNuQEdESgTsUvdoQY5d2rU5Xkx06_zZfXpVnGC9t9k1m03zXJIuTjUWh-tJyWpe_-EcH4aeqKMkrjZLCFwZQMSVZV2D27OZmcuSO4ERACP3QN4t_AciQHdh2UFa2Is6RB7Tw4hOaShm91XtyzfSf7_TTO/s4032/20220720_111603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQnpUx_m5fJGt9-04umH2QtCspxrnQB_uSzjQNuQEdESgTsUvdoQY5d2rU5Xkx06_zZfXpVnGC9t9k1m03zXJIuTjUWh-tJyWpe_-EcH4aeqKMkrjZLCFwZQMSVZV2D27OZmcuSO4ERACP3QN4t_AciQHdh2UFa2Is6RB7Tw4hOaShm91XtyzfSf7_TTO/w360-h640/20220720_111603.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yrs-Mj49G7w6oX-zlCoRBQvpPVBQ5VQ6FnQbXrxG-T_wCHbLodmEuOP81lhNVdHFItSqzYmCnNi4vNGP8YsnnygFrygWKIP5ZdSpKLiFGRg_9jrs7Jdd1OTXvVi3q0K6R_doQ6XWpdwbwSJtleN-glu7KwBRd7oVwkFPuNLZJ9IbzWS3T3_AJAHbInzz/s1239/20220720_112515.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="807" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yrs-Mj49G7w6oX-zlCoRBQvpPVBQ5VQ6FnQbXrxG-T_wCHbLodmEuOP81lhNVdHFItSqzYmCnNi4vNGP8YsnnygFrygWKIP5ZdSpKLiFGRg_9jrs7Jdd1OTXvVi3q0K6R_doQ6XWpdwbwSJtleN-glu7KwBRd7oVwkFPuNLZJ9IbzWS3T3_AJAHbInzz/w416-h640/20220720_112515.1.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nodding lady’s tresses (orchid family)</div><p>As I walked up Thrift Cove I made mental calculations of time and distance. Instead of turning left at the Black Mountain Trail junction and looping back to the parking lot, could I turn right and ascend to Pressley Gap, adding about 3.5 more miles to the day's total? I’m already here, right?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDXnkH-OgxDzMmA-l_e1DQla-vEp8ePiCA4MRIbzogJZ5NRpxL0RCqXrk6YQ_WPyBNnqks-I6YCtPJb3H6yadC-b4zqRjGR5d08aI086WXoil3RLeSLnJMyWeZAXfqdBBDmCmRWX2p96f7oAAqWPfipox6mOmu7aKuuOW1BbCReShiPhnMqo0bBS-CjPS/s4032/20220720_114336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDXnkH-OgxDzMmA-l_e1DQla-vEp8ePiCA4MRIbzogJZ5NRpxL0RCqXrk6YQ_WPyBNnqks-I6YCtPJb3H6yadC-b4zqRjGR5d08aI086WXoil3RLeSLnJMyWeZAXfqdBBDmCmRWX2p96f7oAAqWPfipox6mOmu7aKuuOW1BbCReShiPhnMqo0bBS-CjPS/w360-h640/20220720_114336.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Decision time at high noon! At the junction I decided to go for it, continue up Black Mountain Trail<br /> for one hour and see how far I get </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWwK4ntGaaaNuCE9btnkhCoFD17YfM9FPh8zEqYgBIPKQgiS1oL5DvpSPu8CsMvV0w3Q2xLfnCn3AEHbX34iIvQA9ulOtxT_BL8rxu_PEDwtez8UVvXRcpcx5f2vX33y820oiiNbcHBClw7oLx0bDLFp-cPQSiToRByUX9e6nUGtusoyqBjMCByHebfJe/s4032/20220720_115403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWwK4ntGaaaNuCE9btnkhCoFD17YfM9FPh8zEqYgBIPKQgiS1oL5DvpSPu8CsMvV0w3Q2xLfnCn3AEHbX34iIvQA9ulOtxT_BL8rxu_PEDwtez8UVvXRcpcx5f2vX33y820oiiNbcHBClw7oLx0bDLFp-cPQSiToRByUX9e6nUGtusoyqBjMCByHebfJe/w360-h640/20220720_115403.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Did I mention that this is a steep, steep, relentlessly steep trail? Ugly, too, but it serves a purpose. Let's look at some more fungi.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx7t6MhXsRKbbGITpM5EyYxEX4YcrtMOdNUq6wYf7wJRNva1_6I32rI5qtgI3IbaLOVc1GXMQhV184oLn8UAR8vz83ManKuOigE0O76LY4RzjcGbAmBhLqN-YHOdjAiiWkHzJFMCfWvemaJO_EqMb_mdzT8AfFDXqzIeGfXZGR6Yl6gQoQHn_ImDq_MvP/s2544/20220720_130649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="1632" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx7t6MhXsRKbbGITpM5EyYxEX4YcrtMOdNUq6wYf7wJRNva1_6I32rI5qtgI3IbaLOVc1GXMQhV184oLn8UAR8vz83ManKuOigE0O76LY4RzjcGbAmBhLqN-YHOdjAiiWkHzJFMCfWvemaJO_EqMb_mdzT8AfFDXqzIeGfXZGR6Yl6gQoQHn_ImDq_MvP/w410-h640/20220720_130649.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFv7G_yk2pPCFcfFXsveSWEZpPoybQOVW3cUa7LhpjovaCL-T-UD-xllZ7CN8p0g_iKOs-uM5uY5RO41GDnXz7RcbZqTmTm1HdxE51V9qR6TokMzNcNJTYx09Kn7p6E1QeQ3qKXtTJ9ApzriUiElatUPfKXR-jILQw_nEL0GrlPyhW755RM8p9g_bRny5/s2497/20220720_130447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2497" data-original-width="2238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFv7G_yk2pPCFcfFXsveSWEZpPoybQOVW3cUa7LhpjovaCL-T-UD-xllZ7CN8p0g_iKOs-uM5uY5RO41GDnXz7RcbZqTmTm1HdxE51V9qR6TokMzNcNJTYx09Kn7p6E1QeQ3qKXtTJ9ApzriUiElatUPfKXR-jILQw_nEL0GrlPyhW755RM8p9g_bRny5/w574-h640/20220720_130447.jpg" width="574" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj7TVTJFRj70fbtofkKyBLGdOSAXLhX3XFQBqOrlJNjoB9my8vnj-9pfnIfMg247CPksFv_0J7ZSrmMfCAFIasDv73DaFLlMduUb4ypVGkIra72U0zXKzmuqsUF32nvtKJ9clNnchEmEsckUCS98oS-Qvb7lWCOsJwfW-h0Uraz4QCFAVd2S7T_Tu4_C9/s4032/20220720_131400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj7TVTJFRj70fbtofkKyBLGdOSAXLhX3XFQBqOrlJNjoB9my8vnj-9pfnIfMg247CPksFv_0J7ZSrmMfCAFIasDv73DaFLlMduUb4ypVGkIra72U0zXKzmuqsUF32nvtKJ9clNnchEmEsckUCS98oS-Qvb7lWCOsJwfW-h0Uraz4QCFAVd2S7T_Tu4_C9/w360-h640/20220720_131400.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>The trail mercifully flattens out for a minute, cruising through mountain laurel tunnels as it curves around below the summit of Hickory Knob. <br /><br />I began to encounter mountain bikers coming my way. They’d worked hard to climb up and were now careening carelessly down the roller coaster. One called out “hiker!” and said there were just two of them <i>(helpful heads-up)</i>. A few minutes after they passed, another rider popped around a curve and I asked, “Anyone else?” He answered, “Probably.” <i>(Not helpful.)<br /><br /></i>From Hickory Knob, I descended the short distance to Pressley Gap, dripping with sweat but pleased that I’d made my turnaround point in 40 minutes. Time now to reverse course for the home stretch.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6eao2BP4YEc-4H-QNwesM0RyAsMyuJPheO1FRsthLsA1mW_r1qByooEVxT9EvNKCXNAuLDAicC20R6Z0o7Z_J9efFQwHQvAs-QU75QbwvbdB7oc1hcGOH2aeVaqqctAR82zB32yhxwF-2_cDWYWI95cFlWTf1CAKldPm8Pm8FElWSnhnp-aFUjMf9C27/s2236/20220720_132334.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="2236" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6eao2BP4YEc-4H-QNwesM0RyAsMyuJPheO1FRsthLsA1mW_r1qByooEVxT9EvNKCXNAuLDAicC20R6Z0o7Z_J9efFQwHQvAs-QU75QbwvbdB7oc1hcGOH2aeVaqqctAR82zB32yhxwF-2_cDWYWI95cFlWTf1CAKldPm8Pm8FElWSnhnp-aFUjMf9C27/w640-h484/20220720_132334.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Three cyclists passed me and soon stopped to regroup, and we chatted for a minute about how humid it was (still better than being inside) and having these great trails to share. Nice fellows.</div><br />I ended at the parking lot feeling hot but accomplished, another bite out of the <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/24/page/Pisgah-400"><span style="color: red;">Pisgah 400 Challenge</span></a> in exactly 4 hours and 10.3 miles.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8AKOwlWv9JPsrE3SIVAGGMDN3grwL0-9nqp6eK2DhZdLW_mTkkHW285IR7lokH8Ai4B3hrjfzFu-vmeV7x3QZFfqrKlIG8cgbUHzQZQBcS4vcFVx_aOtYxqDymW4sMMb9MdygSQbGjV5yebl6yvuGn80Qq6Wlugm1MStyOMcFtZfPHXnpKjNMfCrkYjR/s1687/Screenshot_20230630-090425_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8AKOwlWv9JPsrE3SIVAGGMDN3grwL0-9nqp6eK2DhZdLW_mTkkHW285IR7lokH8Ai4B3hrjfzFu-vmeV7x3QZFfqrKlIG8cgbUHzQZQBcS4vcFVx_aOtYxqDymW4sMMb9MdygSQbGjV5yebl6yvuGn80Qq6Wlugm1MStyOMcFtZfPHXnpKjNMfCrkYjR/w404-h640/Screenshot_20230630-090425_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“I may not be there yet, <br />but I'm closer than I was yesterday.”<br /> ~Author Unknown</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-4679030416592581912023-06-29T20:09:00.000-04:002023-06-29T20:09:07.729-04:00Bracken Preserve in Brevard NC<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Bracken Preserve – Brevard NC - 7/19/22 – 9.3 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNawMeOSpZpyUzVWio9YBqK9teYBH2dK8842afRKq1UUwxFDg2RMRpgHzIK0ZkZsI1wk7u_qe3TvtgYuNLDhyYaiuBWBHGGZpne3GOADDY7-4RIyhQEp2QjEmULGLR_NPek5qAiOq7gqAFKe2TcUsS3oYWExIPvbSnsUXFVLNv7omXXlOOPZ6yuCI7Wnke/s4032/20220719_125752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNawMeOSpZpyUzVWio9YBqK9teYBH2dK8842afRKq1UUwxFDg2RMRpgHzIK0ZkZsI1wk7u_qe3TvtgYuNLDhyYaiuBWBHGGZpne3GOADDY7-4RIyhQEp2QjEmULGLR_NPek5qAiOq7gqAFKe2TcUsS3oYWExIPvbSnsUXFVLNv7omXXlOOPZ6yuCI7Wnke/w640-h360/20220719_125752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In July 2022, even the mountains offered little relief from the relentless heat. Still, outside is soothing to the soul and I must go.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.cityofbrevard.com/161/Bracken-Preserve"><span style="color: red;">Bracken Preserve</span></a> in Brevard, NC was introduced to me via <a href="https://conservingcarolina.org/ "><span style="color: red;">Conserving Carolina</span></a>. The organization does amazing work in Western NC, playing the long game of working to protect lands for future generations.<br /><br />Part of Conserving Carolina’s PR is highlighting gems like Bracken Preserve. They got my attention with the <a href="https://conservingcarolina.org/hiking-challenge-6/ "><span style="color: red;">White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6</span></a> because you know I love a challenge list that takes me to new places. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7laAn7KyT-_vVcYvEeNr8JXdRIfHXodrzpI4SfAD_ieJ6FFRnXXEdvfFgggIButZLesKHgTDO8bofojWqrJ52zfW_tpLBfm3e0rb71jpJUSA1Nh2cZK7ZwwgMA0dlrq4XX6JCmbZaNFPRDuyeTB6V8BG2w7_RAI3yy_8WqKAK5VHJ9Bjp7C3qItgtIKJ/s2256/20220719_100600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="2035" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7laAn7KyT-_vVcYvEeNr8JXdRIfHXodrzpI4SfAD_ieJ6FFRnXXEdvfFgggIButZLesKHgTDO8bofojWqrJ52zfW_tpLBfm3e0rb71jpJUSA1Nh2cZK7ZwwgMA0dlrq4XX6JCmbZaNFPRDuyeTB6V8BG2w7_RAI3yy_8WqKAK5VHJ9Bjp7C3qItgtIKJ/w578-h640/20220719_100600.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><p>Bracken Preserve is easy to find, at the edge of downtown Brevard yet a world away. The trails have names and color blazes, but I won’t get into all that. The turn-by-turn directions for this hike are <a href="https://conservingcarolina.org/bracken-preserve/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>. I followed this route and included the short interior connecting trails. Why not? <br /><br />All together I hiked every bit of the Preserve and enjoyed every humid moment. A surprising amount of ups and downs have been squeezed into 395 acres, not a leisurely stroll.<br /><br />Show and tell picture time! Did someone say more mushrooms?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vAvNhxJUGtVQbZ60YGYu8WFaryy05Qf_EWfB9YQohTnxFLjrDuCUU-ZWkCtiZ1tnJHfuXt4dfbWX4lGJreHMIt_mzsroy_uRIOpouw2XOyPybnfyShgVgM6FZfnKLcbRwSfPaotdxo_oDDJelW8jdK_qxQ9cJrqDI2aLJzhIqkHLTbjWk9B0eFFZHu7U/s4032/20220719_104640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vAvNhxJUGtVQbZ60YGYu8WFaryy05Qf_EWfB9YQohTnxFLjrDuCUU-ZWkCtiZ1tnJHfuXt4dfbWX4lGJreHMIt_mzsroy_uRIOpouw2XOyPybnfyShgVgM6FZfnKLcbRwSfPaotdxo_oDDJelW8jdK_qxQ9cJrqDI2aLJzhIqkHLTbjWk9B0eFFZHu7U/w360-h640/20220719_104640.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bridge at Renzulli Falls on the Brushy Creek Trail</div><br />Carlo Renzulli, a native of Italy, was a violinist with the New York Philharmonic. Why does his name turn up in the woods? Members of his family were ardent supporters of nearby Brevard Music Center as well as Bracken Preserve.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAwPHwpiJ6BOieYPCxz85qDtSAqUm4FC3RH9HOOrBc7UHr2EvcEwbGf9NUXIzoFP4qtT6X3stcVKco2b6a9vYmItr9I6gQ4AfZStVnJb3XR_a40AV_mUMjbzA_sgzPh7liD_anf2LNd_BqqVphUbwLUXKf60g06JgH0dR6dh_nbFscirp59l141itv4Gk/s4032/20220719_110723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAwPHwpiJ6BOieYPCxz85qDtSAqUm4FC3RH9HOOrBc7UHr2EvcEwbGf9NUXIzoFP4qtT6X3stcVKco2b6a9vYmItr9I6gQ4AfZStVnJb3XR_a40AV_mUMjbzA_sgzPh7liD_anf2LNd_BqqVphUbwLUXKf60g06JgH0dR6dh_nbFscirp59l141itv4Gk/w360-h640/20220719_110723.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3-kGRRixN3vgrX-8F0mhBKbj9-Q2gLrydMajWHzbIZoEoLhO_gHp9yju9Du4EMSDIIIlQkGI7JvWSchKuCJFPQ10TVrXGtG3edLpqdTA0G3kfxVnfHUrTljT2T6a0vbg7sR-h0r9wXpgeoRY4agiPE4qSFc4dZbDXfoOICAyr69n5I3kBluiOlzgLLD/s4032/20220719_110435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3-kGRRixN3vgrX-8F0mhBKbj9-Q2gLrydMajWHzbIZoEoLhO_gHp9yju9Du4EMSDIIIlQkGI7JvWSchKuCJFPQ10TVrXGtG3edLpqdTA0G3kfxVnfHUrTljT2T6a0vbg7sR-h0r9wXpgeoRY4agiPE4qSFc4dZbDXfoOICAyr69n5I3kBluiOlzgLLD/w360-h640/20220719_110435.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WzTF513crTpKjuzZIRl3SsiWrInUu_d4acQUkm7EwXZ7eh11pqpybK7APSAqMdhHR0Z3HO_rLFXVZ2CWJ8fPqmjQx1oFs0MFr31baNI8_pDw-kQQR0u4okyJC7mZu5NS6VKA3oRDkTMIthxvjByENC112AJ5t-b5MhuUxlwNfVjl3gSw1ndG-S9WzqjO/s1733/20220719_104222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="1595" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WzTF513crTpKjuzZIRl3SsiWrInUu_d4acQUkm7EwXZ7eh11pqpybK7APSAqMdhHR0Z3HO_rLFXVZ2CWJ8fPqmjQx1oFs0MFr31baNI8_pDw-kQQR0u4okyJC7mZu5NS6VKA3oRDkTMIthxvjByENC112AJ5t-b5MhuUxlwNfVjl3gSw1ndG-S9WzqjO/w590-h640/20220719_104222.jpg" width="590" /></a>Chanterelles</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eGcG9jyHNOfDENxOeScHGq5TopyG_nlTUA8-gNWtdRDzYOcC00qYJQPcHV2pfdrm-w28a4vidS-g_x8UpkncIh3_LC1KezfGf44DUdrLdytA2DGhUvk19irTElCet5NwKPo2XjcxjdG11knZZfzNR56wWOQGvAvoj4ZP2X4VU-xkhIiM0jBHMtgSXgSe/s2007/20220719_122717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="1431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eGcG9jyHNOfDENxOeScHGq5TopyG_nlTUA8-gNWtdRDzYOcC00qYJQPcHV2pfdrm-w28a4vidS-g_x8UpkncIh3_LC1KezfGf44DUdrLdytA2DGhUvk19irTElCet5NwKPo2XjcxjdG11knZZfzNR56wWOQGvAvoj4ZP2X4VU-xkhIiM0jBHMtgSXgSe/w456-h640/20220719_122717.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amanita jacksonii – I went down a fascinating YouTube rabbit hole identifying this</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jhEyjk13YfHti4GUQD-eq8dPIzbtLHY_TeTesgm-xIwfJlJ92ctXYopjQ-Lt0OyKfjxSKDlzVFLfjeMLtNsWMFiBkXGlEHjU9aHZC_Ojie74a6pf4uEEDkGm89FtlvS_07aFaWcY65B_4XRaS674JfBLLfMeobnm4mAtoXmjuO-3Az1bO4F_67MbcIXc/s1458/20220719_104956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1458" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jhEyjk13YfHti4GUQD-eq8dPIzbtLHY_TeTesgm-xIwfJlJ92ctXYopjQ-Lt0OyKfjxSKDlzVFLfjeMLtNsWMFiBkXGlEHjU9aHZC_Ojie74a6pf4uEEDkGm89FtlvS_07aFaWcY65B_4XRaS674JfBLLfMeobnm4mAtoXmjuO-3Az1bO4F_67MbcIXc/w640-h638/20220719_104956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMZg-nuLZ7IBlZaqFFf9IO13lyKzuv5_oHWip-KxF4J3nHGyI1BZ2k-OqXrgHxUhf2mEHg_VZCCNGmVrUz6yGjq1hQsINGPZ2VmtVcdyuvc1F27_2TzqLiwSBgZz4U2edaZ1Z7dc6tTMF8geXYM-gahfrCGc-f9bUZj6pKq40LoFY2bGArRA5LsiDauhf/s1575/20220719_111551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1105" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMZg-nuLZ7IBlZaqFFf9IO13lyKzuv5_oHWip-KxF4J3nHGyI1BZ2k-OqXrgHxUhf2mEHg_VZCCNGmVrUz6yGjq1hQsINGPZ2VmtVcdyuvc1F27_2TzqLiwSBgZz4U2edaZ1Z7dc6tTMF8geXYM-gahfrCGc-f9bUZj6pKq40LoFY2bGArRA5LsiDauhf/w450-h640/20220719_111551.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vL3N2ydeagTgjdLkRmtHMPykH8I3NTKvH2pXT24K_GR1VO0K-SF697RlP9E_UgnSLcY5IpJ2dsB7U-lrhCV5oNrut_oENnewOW6SPxTT9Md5vM1fV8eaqne0uEyZZbhxvuSYg2nuvm_Iu77TOYmRcRLMZGy0GaHUSLv15zH6aZVimFKpdCjHq49Jy3t8/s3235/20220719_112348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="2247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vL3N2ydeagTgjdLkRmtHMPykH8I3NTKvH2pXT24K_GR1VO0K-SF697RlP9E_UgnSLcY5IpJ2dsB7U-lrhCV5oNrut_oENnewOW6SPxTT9Md5vM1fV8eaqne0uEyZZbhxvuSYg2nuvm_Iu77TOYmRcRLMZGy0GaHUSLv15zH6aZVimFKpdCjHq49Jy3t8/w444-h640/20220719_112348.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWMvSk0PHfhK9PFZaqaIhafhP5td7wS9H07z_ZSlH-zJ7CcCr9Ifmnexx6__tv13nXiUWXck9O9y1ri_fMIL15P6CNuvSDMIwqPj1FOjmP5pCpGmnv5p1Mw56YeE5-0CNA2y0nV77FJ2vmU7Jn_VWx8tPg6xq-woK_pmB2ilAn7xxfJczdpfRiITfXFLu/s4032/20220719_121744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWMvSk0PHfhK9PFZaqaIhafhP5td7wS9H07z_ZSlH-zJ7CcCr9Ifmnexx6__tv13nXiUWXck9O9y1ri_fMIL15P6CNuvSDMIwqPj1FOjmP5pCpGmnv5p1Mw56YeE5-0CNA2y0nV77FJ2vmU7Jn_VWx8tPg6xq-woK_pmB2ilAn7xxfJczdpfRiITfXFLu/w360-h640/20220719_121744.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZi8cpU19fq91x5m6xiqyUJfRo_uzwINM8RceSnRJk3p4xPhC_Ii4RLsLUVnudjwjwMJ4hWPgGzngdilSToEQsEnJoxsg9AcOawGYYCWvoAWFCh4qQ9imxjRZoxMpKceyCnYspnfrK8hNrQ548dN9oI_BrO4iP40IzBF0NHxaZReHtQ5k_zrGjmOFRfJ/s4032/20220719_113407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZi8cpU19fq91x5m6xiqyUJfRo_uzwINM8RceSnRJk3p4xPhC_Ii4RLsLUVnudjwjwMJ4hWPgGzngdilSToEQsEnJoxsg9AcOawGYYCWvoAWFCh4qQ9imxjRZoxMpKceyCnYspnfrK8hNrQ548dN9oI_BrO4iP40IzBF0NHxaZReHtQ5k_zrGjmOFRfJ/w640-h360/20220719_113407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Okay, a break from the fungi. Rattlesnake plantains bloomed in abundance <i>(we all know my poor track record with photographing them)</i> and I spotted a pair of yellow-fringed orchids and a crane-fly orchid. Some slopes beside the trails were thick with rhododendron, others covered in ferns. Birdsong was surprisingly constant, unlike in deep forest. Are the birds more accustomed to people here so near to civilization? Standing still and listening made my spirit soar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7hkUuF2ntSd-NUofYDqJ1tRs-i21hr6XOnA4OtVSFDaVtbayPBTZwT1A9SxFQTOCddMUm1vhMgS-rNduyHORc1BPKlSHf7tG2tr0b6Zl3wtQQsh0cAqO5K05v7KwGdb1En_TOwQAX6aZAqBVnDlvorpAIF658BoocVcop-36lOh6WK_cOctWLIJZQm0X/s4032/20220719_115906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7hkUuF2ntSd-NUofYDqJ1tRs-i21hr6XOnA4OtVSFDaVtbayPBTZwT1A9SxFQTOCddMUm1vhMgS-rNduyHORc1BPKlSHf7tG2tr0b6Zl3wtQQsh0cAqO5K05v7KwGdb1En_TOwQAX6aZAqBVnDlvorpAIF658BoocVcop-36lOh6WK_cOctWLIJZQm0X/w360-h640/20220719_115906.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl8o8jFkKXkfPQMNOD9eN4CgOlRoGYnqh_5SwigVkdMzmxQgyOzb2ddOCquBzz6OllawYv3QN1bLt1kvDJYjN5phWoPVAsNhYFqoarVyrrG3NQBIrJKQGfgEu3IFAi5BLXgsPTw3JdYRl-lfepsr5FOC04P_Wx_ihViFsX_aI1Pe7h-Q1MIxBVFM88ngz/s4032/20220719_114753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl8o8jFkKXkfPQMNOD9eN4CgOlRoGYnqh_5SwigVkdMzmxQgyOzb2ddOCquBzz6OllawYv3QN1bLt1kvDJYjN5phWoPVAsNhYFqoarVyrrG3NQBIrJKQGfgEu3IFAi5BLXgsPTw3JdYRl-lfepsr5FOC04P_Wx_ihViFsX_aI1Pe7h-Q1MIxBVFM88ngz/w360-h640/20220719_114753.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Also on Brushy Creek Trail: a campsite and small shelter where I took my lunch break </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX5Q5V1YRiv43yzmGilbgoBlXIoLeHh7g2xTg-v4Z9BRM7fJ31GsMVRJdcqnjaWigzthmqS3FpuX-eiHxXmNgKqDGfx5XDuUhw6B7zsZ3kCa62H_y6tKRIhisL1t9_t3ptnK4ojUAKFFOw3S0Xh_l4yu6xjGqGyHMH9kyEmknoinMMiFORyS5bHX6jJ6V/s4032/20220719_112714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX5Q5V1YRiv43yzmGilbgoBlXIoLeHh7g2xTg-v4Z9BRM7fJ31GsMVRJdcqnjaWigzthmqS3FpuX-eiHxXmNgKqDGfx5XDuUhw6B7zsZ3kCa62H_y6tKRIhisL1t9_t3ptnK4ojUAKFFOw3S0Xh_l4yu6xjGqGyHMH9kyEmknoinMMiFORyS5bHX6jJ6V/w360-h640/20220719_112714.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A red eft</div><br />Bracken Preserve has been open since 2012 and in 2019 a new shared use trail was completed. The pink-blazed Pinnacle Trail rubs up against Pisgah National Forest, and mountain bikers as well as hikers are very happy to extend their range. The name refers to the Pinnacle community that once thrived in the area. <i>[Read more <a href="https://conservingcarolina.org/new-trail-opens-in-bracken-mountain-preserve/ "><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.]</i> From the article: <br /><br />“Signage in the Bracken Mountain Preserve marks the history of the Pinnacle community. Among the founders of Pinnacle were Laughing Water, a young woman from the Blackfoot nation, and Tom, an African-American, both of whom had escaped from captivity. Laughing Water and Tom moved their large family to these mountains in the early 1860s to avoid typhoid fever.”<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsABDQz0U94XJeKirkcoqRfueSlNisxNK4StheqYFeaNUfJxS7m1zmGYp-SAlCZopu64Ng42sQFMB5pKowibOQKq1UvQlrcVUMmU82fJbds15bGoBmkkB_u0A1rcr9CT1I_TlvF-OEVPJHA6Oh_C5xd_4A2JUEkuSTnSBlMA4UKipQogZL_mpM-GzSY9rS/s4032/20220719_122141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsABDQz0U94XJeKirkcoqRfueSlNisxNK4StheqYFeaNUfJxS7m1zmGYp-SAlCZopu64Ng42sQFMB5pKowibOQKq1UvQlrcVUMmU82fJbds15bGoBmkkB_u0A1rcr9CT1I_TlvF-OEVPJHA6Oh_C5xd_4A2JUEkuSTnSBlMA4UKipQogZL_mpM-GzSY9rS/w360-h640/20220719_122141.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love the pink blazes</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMLo9_lXMUF2Jc9-qqktmpwsRgRscczD7seV2UuBUX1UacAh77uH5i1Gx9rji6s2QJM7Fd4xq-k2oGE_iCgrD-gtl9GbuARYxUuA4YMK5cW9wofdSWSe6qCVXQANdVRzCIdjNqLRuZgFOxnDJ5pwmCgWjGWJQYVgwezfuHG7kEBgaqwgUW8XWFvTffErN/s4032/20220719_125048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMLo9_lXMUF2Jc9-qqktmpwsRgRscczD7seV2UuBUX1UacAh77uH5i1Gx9rji6s2QJM7Fd4xq-k2oGE_iCgrD-gtl9GbuARYxUuA4YMK5cW9wofdSWSe6qCVXQANdVRzCIdjNqLRuZgFOxnDJ5pwmCgWjGWJQYVgwezfuHG7kEBgaqwgUW8XWFvTffErN/w360-h640/20220719_125048.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br />The climb up to the boundary is significant, tight curlicue switchbacks, crisscrossing old forest roads. I kept my eyes and ears open but didn’t encounter any mountain bikers today.<br /><br />A cool breeze awaited at the boundary ridge line as the Pinnacle Trail straightened out and relaxed. The trail doesn’t quite go over summit of Burl Mountain so I detoured to find the top. <i>(I didn’t locate a survey marker so I estimated.)</i> In doing that, I inadvertently stopped the GAIA track but quickly realized it and started a new one. Always learning! As Jim says, “No backslapping ‘til it’s all over.”<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4osP2yck2obT_R5nxh8QY3SMgbPKdku9hvKSxBvZFdB9d1qi5jrc9rFS1PfxwGm-NMD5-iNLF4MY37-uMU1d0Q_sEsq7g-GPJ7f1cRYp_sY7sR5tkXzoebDAqzO4PNnEd3nSlIm2ORGy1fFbR6xi96RM6em85ocfXWrifUA8S_y3HNfpKgZmuPaIPcYrR/s4032/20220719_125855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4osP2yck2obT_R5nxh8QY3SMgbPKdku9hvKSxBvZFdB9d1qi5jrc9rFS1PfxwGm-NMD5-iNLF4MY37-uMU1d0Q_sEsq7g-GPJ7f1cRYp_sY7sR5tkXzoebDAqzO4PNnEd3nSlIm2ORGy1fFbR6xi96RM6em85ocfXWrifUA8S_y3HNfpKgZmuPaIPcYrR/w360-h640/20220719_125855.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Bracken Mountain Trail plunges back downhill on long benches with tight switchbacks. <i>I assume this is the way mountain bikers go up to the top and then careen down the Pinnacle Trail.</i> Brushy Creek comes back into the mix, crossing several times on the descent. Before I could say “Amanita jacksonii” I was back where I started.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHZKVC7IouyI3wU52qkgOfw6QMyViRHHMCvFuAUwvXXsv4hdAbqlnPAcSw6lIw809Q7jmkTgEeb_bpKS50fG_B_9H0D3o3vtIRe5ShjKmXn7Wsae6te6QLTpB1cg8Njizuz6Uvs8e9o8ocj9ClsN6G6fArc2zVHkwRr7Uft4rLsrt1fkIHau9O13LKuP2/s4032/20220719_131422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHZKVC7IouyI3wU52qkgOfw6QMyViRHHMCvFuAUwvXXsv4hdAbqlnPAcSw6lIw809Q7jmkTgEeb_bpKS50fG_B_9H0D3o3vtIRe5ShjKmXn7Wsae6te6QLTpB1cg8Njizuz6Uvs8e9o8ocj9ClsN6G6fArc2zVHkwRr7Uft4rLsrt1fkIHau9O13LKuP2/w360-h640/20220719_131422.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvYlZiEqFUVfEOtc-vxikb5s0G8WMlOvruxV2xZ0gVG_O4VtI5PfYD-vUmhdEWxGkt9SDazK50Vyovlgid_6fqi-w6Ji2aDa5YbbT8_DaIsOqnV_kTMFbaXVZDah0-x-Gg0_dvjl1Fvyk4yygAoDO38XatEBcPcMsH6xM-madoIX-ASRavvxYhGTcR2RE/s4032/20220719_131429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvYlZiEqFUVfEOtc-vxikb5s0G8WMlOvruxV2xZ0gVG_O4VtI5PfYD-vUmhdEWxGkt9SDazK50Vyovlgid_6fqi-w6Ji2aDa5YbbT8_DaIsOqnV_kTMFbaXVZDah0-x-Gg0_dvjl1Fvyk4yygAoDO38XatEBcPcMsH6xM-madoIX-ASRavvxYhGTcR2RE/w640-h360/20220719_131429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>For most of my 4.5 hours in Bracken Preserve, I was alone. I encountered six people in the first mile, three people in the last mile, and no one in between. As I was putting my hiking poles in my car, three mountain bikers exited behind me from parts unknown. Retirement hiking on a Tuesday!<br /><br /><i>Since my hike in July 2022, Conserving Carolina has acquired 34 additional acres to expand Bracken Preserve (read </i><a href="https://conservingcarolina.org/land-purchased-to-expand-bracken-mountain-preserve/" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><i>.) </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-PrCVkHSu5uzgSJKl0ng0UZtWcLqXi8J5zYnk1Puc4VY0fPmIJCNXEGEYvKvpcBLr64tyeSXnfMpW4j77_pDVgCkOwHbSAACyFs7JD0RxrRcJDrGXYr51ic5UYSxHCWJ1TEiFuEmaaCXu-fEXtgyaRk0DxbEzpTfu6vZgwaALoCCSgwi0w0mTu5sZLEV/s4032/20220719_150137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-PrCVkHSu5uzgSJKl0ng0UZtWcLqXi8J5zYnk1Puc4VY0fPmIJCNXEGEYvKvpcBLr64tyeSXnfMpW4j77_pDVgCkOwHbSAACyFs7JD0RxrRcJDrGXYr51ic5UYSxHCWJ1TEiFuEmaaCXu-fEXtgyaRk0DxbEzpTfu6vZgwaALoCCSgwi0w0mTu5sZLEV/w360-h640/20220719_150137.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perfect ending</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“There are always flowers<br />for those who want to see them.”<br /> ~Henri Matisse</i></span></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-23770898533574182742023-06-23T22:02:00.001-04:002023-06-23T22:02:14.442-04:00Pisgah 400: Loose Ends at North Mills River and Pink Beds Connector<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: Trace Ridge/Wash Creek/Bear Branch Trails and Pink Beds Connector<br /> 7/18/22 – 9 miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoXfg7voxrthejuQDM3ybThnj3e428E2LuHHBfrypk_mFhRSguOQTayHvhU-e2cbUP4uud7Hmr14yCojLz_gAgESM_RbeZwzoixqnLHTawfVr4nMiR4Q3_gZMPUvRTlMzAH4hdh5ONCPFrSnf530-51ZUdxYTiXee7W9GMNVuLwZES6XktGSMbyX5cMfD/s1268/20220718_104922.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoXfg7voxrthejuQDM3ybThnj3e428E2LuHHBfrypk_mFhRSguOQTayHvhU-e2cbUP4uud7Hmr14yCojLz_gAgESM_RbeZwzoixqnLHTawfVr4nMiR4Q3_gZMPUvRTlMzAH4hdh5ONCPFrSnf530-51ZUdxYTiXee7W9GMNVuLwZES6XktGSMbyX5cMfD/w582-h640/20220718_104922.1.jpg" width="582" /></a></div><p>Continuing my string of hikes in Pisgah National Forest following convoluted routes and tying up loose ends, today I hiked two separate routes.<br /><br />The first was a couple of miles past North Mills River Campground, starting from the Trace Ridge parking area on FR 142 (Hendersonville Reservoir) off of FR 5000 (Wash Creek Road).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkC1TW8tqblKqv6hjbzN4xAgy2wT5HD67EXLDSv_hRaGWfluEvEdwQne8ANnG_7Q-rEynkm5XVrUIwLdrm37qDfr-IZXAcO32EKnFoAWfIKDVdoDEYc3uzH9181PhiRRcmk4yzwdbRwE1RqPnufD-NCFvr_KDJ1Jjj4E09qJHaPb8vMe4Qzb89U6CoYz9/s1358/Screenshot_20230621-150609_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkC1TW8tqblKqv6hjbzN4xAgy2wT5HD67EXLDSv_hRaGWfluEvEdwQne8ANnG_7Q-rEynkm5XVrUIwLdrm37qDfr-IZXAcO32EKnFoAWfIKDVdoDEYc3uzH9181PhiRRcmk4yzwdbRwE1RqPnufD-NCFvr_KDJ1Jjj4E09qJHaPb8vMe4Qzb89U6CoYz9/w500-h640/Screenshot_20230621-150609_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p>Okay, I’ll spare the turn-by-turn description and go with the photos. My hike started from the “P” in the middle left of this GAIA topo track of the Pisgah Ranger District.<br /><br />But first…at the parking area I talked with a young guy named Nate who was camping out of his truck, asking him about the Trace Ridge trailhead <i>(it goes in both directions, trying to get the right one. I was disoriented even with GAIA. That’s what Pisgah NF will do to you)</i>. He gave me helpful info about trail conditions because he had biked it the day before. With Nate was his black Lab named Jim, a sweet elderly fella whose eyesight was failing. A chance encounter, they were gone when I finished my hike. I wonder where they are now.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlDNtn-EB8RTOEN5hjeGCe5pS8DOVyBsH5BulIjSZ5G0IWU8sXKwsUfeaq-umpyDPlJU8f9wv2F9kzJknMoSUh6eF2U_17_RmkS2hbrf1dKjh6SYlIeepJnYnUX4SUDRdOdHOOFo_YMD7ftFlsU7bjed3g1hjHBg9YWyxb_Fd_D-e-74-ATkXdbyJvRoG/s4032/20220718_103519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlDNtn-EB8RTOEN5hjeGCe5pS8DOVyBsH5BulIjSZ5G0IWU8sXKwsUfeaq-umpyDPlJU8f9wv2F9kzJknMoSUh6eF2U_17_RmkS2hbrf1dKjh6SYlIeepJnYnUX4SUDRdOdHOOFo_YMD7ftFlsU7bjed3g1hjHBg9YWyxb_Fd_D-e-74-ATkXdbyJvRoG/w360-h640/20220718_103519.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trace Ridge is a rutted, sometimes-muddy bike trail. Like many shared use trails in Pisgah, <br />we all just gotta get along.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC2TW_ZIC3EzuKntO5z31adwU2atwxknm43voggYNc24DSH_iaEE16B90J2lIKkGbxBP0qyRu959YeJskztWZv_aI0Y-Jbtaa8Xm6H3yqo1pbgVauzLdBxLLKcUvMlY_CAv14pHY6Ur2BcgeUHS5Gv6YNkHRpV41MuutgBN84h1e6y-ICa4gAfIg-es0N/s4032/20220718_103339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC2TW_ZIC3EzuKntO5z31adwU2atwxknm43voggYNc24DSH_iaEE16B90J2lIKkGbxBP0qyRu959YeJskztWZv_aI0Y-Jbtaa8Xm6H3yqo1pbgVauzLdBxLLKcUvMlY_CAv14pHY6Ur2BcgeUHS5Gv6YNkHRpV41MuutgBN84h1e6y-ICa4gAfIg-es0N/w360-h640/20220718_103339.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An unusual sign, makes me think that it's been hard to wean folks onto the reroute</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0XH9HkEa8vF6sJHpY9xjhjMnWTkBN2S78k9fvmDhd8IqOlWUuFIZ8BHpt6qk4VkILsOiKEMnzjkVg5K4zBUfukynfwkMfqZkwbPkYCnbaXYyKwNzrVI9nNGEFKrhzS_kKiBSyowR1R-9vr71igo3W26d6ePoyaQXNCz1Ayg7Gyht7xk80AJ35TFPNZrR/s2170/20220718_103625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="1719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0XH9HkEa8vF6sJHpY9xjhjMnWTkBN2S78k9fvmDhd8IqOlWUuFIZ8BHpt6qk4VkILsOiKEMnzjkVg5K4zBUfukynfwkMfqZkwbPkYCnbaXYyKwNzrVI9nNGEFKrhzS_kKiBSyowR1R-9vr71igo3W26d6ePoyaQXNCz1Ayg7Gyht7xk80AJ35TFPNZrR/w506-h640/20220718_103625.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwRlafZGXs-JoIqEmUnXU1ngMhGQiwk-opZBFdw5YbhMFvy-Q9DsQhWQ4GEQvcsAh4m_i0w0DHlPSGUDka1hIMvOqIZbLeedxPVmfC23bpY2sdDCT4ogAA_j3GlgaJKFXFVxRYoUuLRGLa_UNlhSx8mQhTDBsyWPdA8Saera3dn_mnhy-t3u4rNaPV5ge/s4032/20220718_104922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwRlafZGXs-JoIqEmUnXU1ngMhGQiwk-opZBFdw5YbhMFvy-Q9DsQhWQ4GEQvcsAh4m_i0w0DHlPSGUDka1hIMvOqIZbLeedxPVmfC23bpY2sdDCT4ogAA_j3GlgaJKFXFVxRYoUuLRGLa_UNlhSx8mQhTDBsyWPdA8Saera3dn_mnhy-t3u4rNaPV5ge/w360-h640/20220718_104922.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Trace Ridge Trail soon connects with Wash Creek Trail, gentle loamy soil and an easy descent to North Mills River. Turn around, retrace steps and pass Trace Ridge – wait, I thought we weren’t doing detailed directions…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHQPtMqSAQy2kPqxXbIz_uMOAb8s6jBS32Pb8uhtVzO7fQNuUDlVVCbNjMG4g3FzZb5HqRNMJysV5fmjbhXZEtLt3b0nFrNZTZsKzIf2yLVVAs_rbjei802MXJzgPZUKNhLuDC0nTMISaGcUv61nip1G4M2gdqblf-EldDKGf3I0Mq8ykN0fDiZE9f7Ar/s4032/20220718_105700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHQPtMqSAQy2kPqxXbIz_uMOAb8s6jBS32Pb8uhtVzO7fQNuUDlVVCbNjMG4g3FzZb5HqRNMJysV5fmjbhXZEtLt3b0nFrNZTZsKzIf2yLVVAs_rbjei802MXJzgPZUKNhLuDC0nTMISaGcUv61nip1G4M2gdqblf-EldDKGf3I0Mq8ykN0fDiZE9f7Ar/w360-h640/20220718_105700.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnOQvyStVm2emcvZ83YzZzbKv7zEvo5j8qh6Hosl6zmsimekI9vZ0hQIBcEatJoz78ITmaT9Xtbu-39uDWUFe5DftmZ1f9wbmK2TBJzdvnBJIrOyautgueiGS-BctDXXlRLvw3r2CZNMbYJLZIfWrJp5QO0PNIVVECwgxsUyIIqv2nxlym8bJWsl_cFMF/s4032/20220718_110732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnOQvyStVm2emcvZ83YzZzbKv7zEvo5j8qh6Hosl6zmsimekI9vZ0hQIBcEatJoz78ITmaT9Xtbu-39uDWUFe5DftmZ1f9wbmK2TBJzdvnBJIrOyautgueiGS-BctDXXlRLvw3r2CZNMbYJLZIfWrJp5QO0PNIVVECwgxsUyIIqv2nxlym8bJWsl_cFMF/w360-h640/20220718_110732.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFqkQIjW9nnKzouUDisz7nninuyqSiU1Y_TGQny2_3HPInI7JThKHL_CRczY1c7io41gLz0rH2KnrF9Gaw5K-PMiZhX6ySl8ZwRcZak0Xr_q5XQVWHs4DugCxJlnem6XgwVfrfQQMh0BqQ0uWoVmSDnq24e5sEP_y3ejK2gE4oTphSoovlA_rYNOB74DL/s4032/20220718_105902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFqkQIjW9nnKzouUDisz7nninuyqSiU1Y_TGQny2_3HPInI7JThKHL_CRczY1c7io41gLz0rH2KnrF9Gaw5K-PMiZhX6ySl8ZwRcZak0Xr_q5XQVWHs4DugCxJlnem6XgwVfrfQQMh0BqQ0uWoVmSDnq24e5sEP_y3ejK2gE4oTphSoovlA_rYNOB74DL/w360-h640/20220718_105902.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">North Mills River</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxkut5gwcMIVGE54AnZn0f1cBcUDaFwfWIdBNAXBlPbdLwlXk6kGuoVaNn5SYbWNTV7Ck9dnUo0hYRR2JuPlvwqPoIHAVc-5AhFZmhIAE6EAMEDNhiB9ObQYpRMexjP6IqJDSJCKbd8WnUJHchoZb7ieE6c9Vfl_QwnKZqTSOUg3SRru7bHOw9IcdqXpJ/s4032/20220718_105950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxkut5gwcMIVGE54AnZn0f1cBcUDaFwfWIdBNAXBlPbdLwlXk6kGuoVaNn5SYbWNTV7Ck9dnUo0hYRR2JuPlvwqPoIHAVc-5AhFZmhIAE6EAMEDNhiB9ObQYpRMexjP6IqJDSJCKbd8WnUJHchoZb7ieE6c9Vfl_QwnKZqTSOUg3SRru7bHOw9IcdqXpJ/w360-h640/20220718_105950.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Deceptively tranquil at times, water so clear it’s invisible</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuE5RhrA0-u_bF66GhZmMFlrgkCm90Yvil5OCQNl79W1fqbnPyn1L7T8ieTejKDun3mCavnd7akkyUqz3HCPjz6rLuI5gkHsuhDIzTziA7TJxd3uu5MJp0ccBoslPUsoPvJzdzlvWPM8NMsCS0x-G4HFw36u4K-ByvsZWeMgr634fwskQIjF7Th8c3j_m/s4032/20220718_111839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuE5RhrA0-u_bF66GhZmMFlrgkCm90Yvil5OCQNl79W1fqbnPyn1L7T8ieTejKDun3mCavnd7akkyUqz3HCPjz6rLuI5gkHsuhDIzTziA7TJxd3uu5MJp0ccBoslPUsoPvJzdzlvWPM8NMsCS0x-G4HFw36u4K-ByvsZWeMgr634fwskQIjF7Th8c3j_m/w360-h640/20220718_111839.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rattlesnake plantain was everywhere, one of my favorites. The foliage is easy to spot<br /> and the bloom is very hard to photograph</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj5e5NMKSDOQJsJec9ne0rNwvxzV2R_nPEoxe1XZULExhiw5YWCbn2B1SwjJwx5mZ_9fbLc7xhqHruNxw3eyRkC7qBhdMB9VMzp_gdtg0S9xc2R1uKT4yBQYuaa2S5EO9N1DGumYt_3IfXyfvJbnM3jRum3ZjOOpZFAXTDd_aLDFthqOs1UeiT6aQLZWn/s4032/20220718_111745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj5e5NMKSDOQJsJec9ne0rNwvxzV2R_nPEoxe1XZULExhiw5YWCbn2B1SwjJwx5mZ_9fbLc7xhqHruNxw3eyRkC7qBhdMB9VMzp_gdtg0S9xc2R1uKT4yBQYuaa2S5EO9N1DGumYt_3IfXyfvJbnM3jRum3ZjOOpZFAXTDd_aLDFthqOs1UeiT6aQLZWn/w360-h640/20220718_111745.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rattlesnake plantain</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FKmnXn3mqeG7gmxAqgTa5l5js0eHkfewJBR-0OcwuC468lEoe03WMa3ijU8TlQorvkguQvxI4_n_a9FizOlmzCbhx5cnUg-nB7FqIoUYnYcdQdx68jGQYoNOuhLk-WS1sT1kn-J5_TjfEsPmydzix65tlOkXvdsd0p9Tj02Tfcp2fkT8A-OHO678qz2y/s1729/20220718_113251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FKmnXn3mqeG7gmxAqgTa5l5js0eHkfewJBR-0OcwuC468lEoe03WMa3ijU8TlQorvkguQvxI4_n_a9FizOlmzCbhx5cnUg-nB7FqIoUYnYcdQdx68jGQYoNOuhLk-WS1sT1kn-J5_TjfEsPmydzix65tlOkXvdsd0p9Tj02Tfcp2fkT8A-OHO678qz2y/w426-h640/20220718_113251.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not-ready-yet blackberries</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKJRE1IHrrmKDxNKaO6MWJTtoQNz6Hi_hq0CAeW-PPmV4RvGW5dxWcjlnbAqwIquNskDL9TurgM7McIqqOCjlvXNOlXusFA6ykR9oVQN3771RSFa77I8RMHiXZ4zEwQcFaGqRLK8iPBKjH-JS2cXfjibneS7XR1QyLFz3XkcXDsx9yMvyOgJlg5waloWJ/s4032/20220718_112227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKJRE1IHrrmKDxNKaO6MWJTtoQNz6Hi_hq0CAeW-PPmV4RvGW5dxWcjlnbAqwIquNskDL9TurgM7McIqqOCjlvXNOlXusFA6ykR9oVQN3771RSFa77I8RMHiXZ4zEwQcFaGqRLK8iPBKjH-JS2cXfjibneS7XR1QyLFz3XkcXDsx9yMvyOgJlg5waloWJ/w360-h640/20220718_112227.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wash Creek Trail levels out on a wide old roadbed and leads to FR 5000</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGApt0qw11nMMW4W_L9Et4DDjlIV8U6keC9W3_7LhJmpzgGwdD8a0K3hzyK1NmQS0lK0iJXd8k_sOdyHitd1UhxPgsIHxqAvv5nO_-jNfExNS0Srx3YmE35IlHArGcFQUqZpK_KkaNTfKK_-xUFsTo7tR6GhtZs065fg1M0ZqTCtSOOLOs_3lfeETcLP6/s4032/20220718_114012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGApt0qw11nMMW4W_L9Et4DDjlIV8U6keC9W3_7LhJmpzgGwdD8a0K3hzyK1NmQS0lK0iJXd8k_sOdyHitd1UhxPgsIHxqAvv5nO_-jNfExNS0Srx3YmE35IlHArGcFQUqZpK_KkaNTfKK_-xUFsTo7tR6GhtZs065fg1M0ZqTCtSOOLOs_3lfeETcLP6/w640-h360/20220718_114012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Low bridge where FR 5000 passes over Wash Creek</div><br />After crossing this bridge and the forest road intersection, I started on Bear Branch Trail that pretty much goes straight up to another forest road. This trail begins at Wash Creek Horse Camp, which was empty today. The horse folks have a pretty nice setup, picnic tables, campfire rings and a privy too.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI6ZBN6q-8LrJwGc9gQR7-fb5OMh9mayYCEkiCUq4IgTZUFXoV2XyThMT_08bk64w7eqhqhZwiRf_IBqmgp2uRQfNztik4KcTC6kfgBL9m4jArA_VtxwgOOtZfOAMrhHMGB4f2I3JxhB0LsEi3XMDV--87QuI1rxKWDOQ2kvK-e8RB0ZU1T-8rAoNk-Sl/s3389/20220718_121644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3389" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI6ZBN6q-8LrJwGc9gQR7-fb5OMh9mayYCEkiCUq4IgTZUFXoV2XyThMT_08bk64w7eqhqhZwiRf_IBqmgp2uRQfNztik4KcTC6kfgBL9m4jArA_VtxwgOOtZfOAMrhHMGB4f2I3JxhB0LsEi3XMDV--87QuI1rxKWDOQ2kvK-e8RB0ZU1T-8rAoNk-Sl/w428-h640/20220718_121644.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwbYPhFW5BaZCQ25cTlaMA1P-EgCNyd-DnnTHwclftvFleQd-EQLxSLTyyLH2_QXXXK9vO73-RdlgNogbpy-18rkAgOLJ2BcZQOWiF4vVQkY0tolK8C9watMn0lHQgf2ZzOhJbyAeYho8L8qpVoDAkyiWBnwRV3AZpV_Gki44GJAdQ87omlwS6VCd4kU0/s4032/20220718_121315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwbYPhFW5BaZCQ25cTlaMA1P-EgCNyd-DnnTHwclftvFleQd-EQLxSLTyyLH2_QXXXK9vO73-RdlgNogbpy-18rkAgOLJ2BcZQOWiF4vVQkY0tolK8C9watMn0lHQgf2ZzOhJbyAeYho8L8qpVoDAkyiWBnwRV3AZpV_Gki44GJAdQ87omlwS6VCd4kU0/w360-h640/20220718_121315.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Nothing much to look at on Bear Branch Trail except a few new flowers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYP7sq81jpHEXA2J1KXNsvj8zRGnNqRfDaB2sitEgISIBnM5tAmmN5emOgyqHlU2ej6HiU14y1A5lcvSgcWK7Cx-hi5uo-QR8I6_awz5fwHr-IrIoN6UPNnOzJ1wJdsEjXhcMxZN5VoSmKHttLpX9nQvGq_oxVE4lApAyalmoYgEV6yMFrg9eayucvYM2/s1892/20220718_115654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1892" data-original-width="1470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYP7sq81jpHEXA2J1KXNsvj8zRGnNqRfDaB2sitEgISIBnM5tAmmN5emOgyqHlU2ej6HiU14y1A5lcvSgcWK7Cx-hi5uo-QR8I6_awz5fwHr-IrIoN6UPNnOzJ1wJdsEjXhcMxZN5VoSmKHttLpX9nQvGq_oxVE4lApAyalmoYgEV6yMFrg9eayucvYM2/w498-h640/20220718_115654.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><p>As far as I can ID, the flower below is a crane-fly orchid, sort of a camouflage flower. What drew my eye to it? After years of poring over flower ID books, there are a lot I am familiar with that I haven’t yet seen in real life. I am attentive to shapes as well as colors. Sometimes I just get lucky, take photos of anything interesting and look it up later.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrvkKBdaFaX6Lby3g8YQCktGeWqlKOrLOHzfvNO-CHCmOaoNf_W6GxV_IiMZYIXucNi8IX1y4VlU1gpRDdErtsTFWy3T1bCkohh4Qovmp_k0s79Sy5478E_pe2xETcPcHQxJqz9RHyefnUl7iz183ftwi_pMRtPuuvp_RL0a_1QleH3whqe2OJAY6hNA8/s4032/20220718_120437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrvkKBdaFaX6Lby3g8YQCktGeWqlKOrLOHzfvNO-CHCmOaoNf_W6GxV_IiMZYIXucNi8IX1y4VlU1gpRDdErtsTFWy3T1bCkohh4Qovmp_k0s79Sy5478E_pe2xETcPcHQxJqz9RHyefnUl7iz183ftwi_pMRtPuuvp_RL0a_1QleH3whqe2OJAY6hNA8/w640-h360/20220718_120437.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn5I75iEb2mgtMa6lREOuySZVBo6LeUFymg4Egu2VUub-bSskkwXXLGhpsESor2-h1vAkuF4Z0xbJ8OFaHNPQNiS558Y7aak9A0VckTGjGaaJDLHHxeZyX5W0EEaisCihinyh20yIzRbHobGY2C3FDcuQ-FvT1o6K1LzqiS-QiIYIr7LmMK_GhPmDpqdC/s911/20220718_120437.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="911" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn5I75iEb2mgtMa6lREOuySZVBo6LeUFymg4Egu2VUub-bSskkwXXLGhpsESor2-h1vAkuF4Z0xbJ8OFaHNPQNiS558Y7aak9A0VckTGjGaaJDLHHxeZyX5W0EEaisCihinyh20yIzRbHobGY2C3FDcuQ-FvT1o6K1LzqiS-QiIYIr7LmMK_GhPmDpqdC/w640-h504/20220718_120437.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>When I reached the forest road, I knew from reviewing the map that this was my turnaround point, so I retraced my steps to the horse camp and walked the gravel road back to my car.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADnhn1HRvJrIx9DyUY_FcETen9rbpe_WMTbDA3mJ5Cu_iPOk8hihsTfM2aaigxc1Yr32zuUd4b_qQ8TFBuLYBBkAQlEfespCRPJPw5DwWeyhtzkh0X2O5_GF2cTJYUHmPyhpcYmu0SKV_pqaYQK6D3DQn-TGDn96DILVBKBJMzhIVMUEdtf5tRWdjQA5I/s3427/20220718_121717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3427" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADnhn1HRvJrIx9DyUY_FcETen9rbpe_WMTbDA3mJ5Cu_iPOk8hihsTfM2aaigxc1Yr32zuUd4b_qQ8TFBuLYBBkAQlEfespCRPJPw5DwWeyhtzkh0X2O5_GF2cTJYUHmPyhpcYmu0SKV_pqaYQK6D3DQn-TGDn96DILVBKBJMzhIVMUEdtf5tRWdjQA5I/w424-h640/20220718_121717.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The back of the stop sign in the middle of the woods seems to be a favorite for sticker display</div><br /><i>(Looking at the GAIA track later that day, I was dismayed to see that I had turned around before the end of Bear Branch Trail – about a third of a mile short! The gravel road where I turned around was not on the GAIA maps, but I assumed it was the one I’d made a mental note of.)<br /><br /></i>Today’s second loose end was the Pink Beds Connector, an interior trail that nobody but diehard map completers and maybe someone long ago with the Forest Service ever sets foot on. The popular Pink Beds Loop is easily accessed from the Pink Beds Picnic Area on Highway 276, but I accessed the connector trail from the same parking area that Jim and I started our High Falls hike ten days ago.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDq6BktX3rX2Q_yk7Haew1XCraPbAbLEnyE0tqL0i6opE6S9F-3LmckIhFai1Bls_E-I6YEdBF7yoGjwf02exeTEU00WC4LsY4RJRKg7s-G2DNgP59IZNtp03BnjA4w8tnYxYuxd3MFzEDljhwPZTgAa_FAY5E2CBJptuuRCi111Os8eL2fFIFjH28WIN/s1076/Screenshot_20230623-134302_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1076" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDq6BktX3rX2Q_yk7Haew1XCraPbAbLEnyE0tqL0i6opE6S9F-3LmckIhFai1Bls_E-I6YEdBF7yoGjwf02exeTEU00WC4LsY4RJRKg7s-G2DNgP59IZNtp03BnjA4w8tnYxYuxd3MFzEDljhwPZTgAa_FAY5E2CBJptuuRCi111Os8eL2fFIFjH28WIN/w640-h542/Screenshot_20230623-134302_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The blue track is my hike on the Pink Beds Connector</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6Srq0v_DVY1T0qMc8j1KRVwYp4MAmFY1lHjtneL6HWG8Mxf-Bx6-SEW7cbl-JI3X0A42TPhwV-DiJBmGUr53iZ-MnXaPuM1PgyM26l1FpdsEiIUGXUm-5OyoDgto4X4Hg-no1eFLVro7N8hPliOst4rxaX5ozL4Q1qBLVYdcQisePqpWAAiVNGS1mixE/s2592/20220718_140951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6Srq0v_DVY1T0qMc8j1KRVwYp4MAmFY1lHjtneL6HWG8Mxf-Bx6-SEW7cbl-JI3X0A42TPhwV-DiJBmGUr53iZ-MnXaPuM1PgyM26l1FpdsEiIUGXUm-5OyoDgto4X4Hg-no1eFLVro7N8hPliOst4rxaX5ozL4Q1qBLVYdcQisePqpWAAiVNGS1mixE/w480-h640/20220718_140951.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Déjà vu all over again </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGG3liOw--wMfGhJuF8g-V8UmmccXrDdJfFcJWPnnkauoFnQWIlcoVTB8KPBOmokcmPxjlKnlXf1rkpAxpeluXg7No_xDS7VurFNdY0otXjL6kAPhiuHmVSM4VAn17cTzDodQE4MLfFfIZosfWgBXy-HjvxAjEGiGY17ME6GJ_pUVlH1jv9g5Avnoa5_b/s3087/20220718_152212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3087" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGG3liOw--wMfGhJuF8g-V8UmmccXrDdJfFcJWPnnkauoFnQWIlcoVTB8KPBOmokcmPxjlKnlXf1rkpAxpeluXg7No_xDS7VurFNdY0otXjL6kAPhiuHmVSM4VAn17cTzDodQE4MLfFfIZosfWgBXy-HjvxAjEGiGY17ME6GJ_pUVlH1jv9g5Avnoa5_b/w640-h470/20220718_152212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the start of the trail, an overgrown camping area and a gauging station (still functioning?)<br /> beside North Mills River</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv2Kffbg3xJRdrG0QhxguOnV3BQDU5pO3hCYxOZjUpX8BAcY9atEJyqpo-hPlYIsHs4AX1F7AhPk3mvSruSqWv-fIs8FEAnJTePks5rwPRBcFdsHPNdbBQS9lSp7XL-nZEDisGQuhpDklg0oP2Csfv8vZkBUChQ8T6r5h1aTUk0xfBztyXqIfAKnGhzjw/s4032/20220718_152322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv2Kffbg3xJRdrG0QhxguOnV3BQDU5pO3hCYxOZjUpX8BAcY9atEJyqpo-hPlYIsHs4AX1F7AhPk3mvSruSqWv-fIs8FEAnJTePks5rwPRBcFdsHPNdbBQS9lSp7XL-nZEDisGQuhpDklg0oP2Csfv8vZkBUChQ8T6r5h1aTUk0xfBztyXqIfAKnGhzjw/w360-h640/20220718_152322.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A closer look at the gauging station</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNXin1meYVha415jukqsG8NP9yHa2olJKPHX_Z-EEcAkG2aJHg94EzMcarFbPrJkmgah7TyIP-jEI3_SpOoURVbkX7eFP6jk7eke-17s3ehGA84p49mLvB9N2KkQdS39qGBuKVU6XCeq6gJVP4-Sxum986VY_EdH2QHfAvdqrwgFzlOeD-xUqr2-sK6Tf/s4032/20220718_142619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNXin1meYVha415jukqsG8NP9yHa2olJKPHX_Z-EEcAkG2aJHg94EzMcarFbPrJkmgah7TyIP-jEI3_SpOoURVbkX7eFP6jk7eke-17s3ehGA84p49mLvB9N2KkQdS39qGBuKVU6XCeq6gJVP4-Sxum986VY_EdH2QHfAvdqrwgFzlOeD-xUqr2-sK6Tf/w640-h360/20220718_142619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Within a few hundred yards, Thompson Creek comes in on the right,<br /> probably a rock hop most days but I had to wade it</div><br />The trail was level but overgrown and obstructed by numerous blowdowns. It ran very close to North Mills River, rhododendrons encroaching the path. There were no blazes (maybe obscured by overgrowth?) and no evidence of maintenance in a while – stretched resources, low priority or does this just need to be decommissioned? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygpfnMmJStzTUYQPx9zsynoQ9ahNjhVhvXD-4a_15nh_BMR6B6CiLzKzdefZMmbDDgBe56Wl2BRgmvZDDNGrwnTQGqt_9nxzZBgEb_yivDwROJdPwYMovtG_WoGA3Mqf5XHZlhPQOlRVzFqOBBk06B_w1bRwhNHoieJ6VSGnWAlX0NCQm2O47kQsvYoG_/s4032/20220718_142415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygpfnMmJStzTUYQPx9zsynoQ9ahNjhVhvXD-4a_15nh_BMR6B6CiLzKzdefZMmbDDgBe56Wl2BRgmvZDDNGrwnTQGqt_9nxzZBgEb_yivDwROJdPwYMovtG_WoGA3Mqf5XHZlhPQOlRVzFqOBBk06B_w1bRwhNHoieJ6VSGnWAlX0NCQm2O47kQsvYoG_/w360-h640/20220718_142415.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicswe9bbbHbT7svw7FR-UdvSt_hLFEx_-75TwvgNx0P1L9qK3c8Fy0WKjritpQwSf0gZ9A890JBtAyd64MbFVp-sxxpAS7TWRoUlZ66fuzIA1J3w-EQUQSHMI16Dn_pgob0xvZ-pGgVRdP8DeoccZ-LemxbI1LGM0Z6dMV_9TvzXS-LuzWJkqXTvZLOG-c/s4032/20220718_143223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicswe9bbbHbT7svw7FR-UdvSt_hLFEx_-75TwvgNx0P1L9qK3c8Fy0WKjritpQwSf0gZ9A890JBtAyd64MbFVp-sxxpAS7TWRoUlZ66fuzIA1J3w-EQUQSHMI16Dn_pgob0xvZ-pGgVRdP8DeoccZ-LemxbI1LGM0Z6dMV_9TvzXS-LuzWJkqXTvZLOG-c/w360-h640/20220718_143223.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpMymMRIt4uWsJA6-3C92uBXGVx4OVhcKL-MGrsXWYe47nH0CmsqwZRjrcxDsm9EDnVwvlLY09l6uB_rrlA6G9XjKuSeazmdVL67Fa2ydXeWtj_DZVr6nqIdyKGyuCH9tuK-wonzbNMij_5mdDTB0-FDYLMVl9_hDLg7DOBWmobgiXnu9Ot4WHFaPiExn/s1019/20220718_142422.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1019" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpMymMRIt4uWsJA6-3C92uBXGVx4OVhcKL-MGrsXWYe47nH0CmsqwZRjrcxDsm9EDnVwvlLY09l6uB_rrlA6G9XjKuSeazmdVL67Fa2ydXeWtj_DZVr6nqIdyKGyuCH9tuK-wonzbNMij_5mdDTB0-FDYLMVl9_hDLg7DOBWmobgiXnu9Ot4WHFaPiExn/w640-h622/20220718_142422.1.jpg" width="640" /></a>At least there are pretty flowers</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfkYybgH1r8XX_PsI7wNYP392jGGccNKOJHAVI4nBsOOtD2w4m6m7_c9ao3aUro-E5kCkmLJ_aLQpsmt6nl7hyzDvrUMU1_laSZ1dA3LmzHJEzK3lClR5OVzK1sxLdz6ycbioeDATkzjSwBWZJjgB8cwsLWEvYHyl7ITQFMrsxXQZ1PuEy6tC6wPXlM63/s951/20220718_152503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="951" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfkYybgH1r8XX_PsI7wNYP392jGGccNKOJHAVI4nBsOOtD2w4m6m7_c9ao3aUro-E5kCkmLJ_aLQpsmt6nl7hyzDvrUMU1_laSZ1dA3LmzHJEzK3lClR5OVzK1sxLdz6ycbioeDATkzjSwBWZJjgB8cwsLWEvYHyl7ITQFMrsxXQZ1PuEy6tC6wPXlM63/w640-h600/20220718_152503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flowering spurge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcvB0ZIgaf7K7LluMXZ1KBXNo3bX-hj21xw6GJi3j470AOnYA638S2zKNZT4T3uhuLFaPTbRS8Q9yVhr3V7FUeqrfPjYXEy7vhsqaanBagtKTylx99DNw_-KIlbXH1uPEKaXMd7jLgWuxEGMSRQeV_xoGO444HPXhjddKdUc15mfTLOqqu8taghxGUsvn/s4032/20220718_145513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcvB0ZIgaf7K7LluMXZ1KBXNo3bX-hj21xw6GJi3j470AOnYA638S2zKNZT4T3uhuLFaPTbRS8Q9yVhr3V7FUeqrfPjYXEy7vhsqaanBagtKTylx99DNw_-KIlbXH1uPEKaXMd7jLgWuxEGMSRQeV_xoGO444HPXhjddKdUc15mfTLOqqu8taghxGUsvn/w360-h640/20220718_145513.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUDWPrBX6iUVj-r8jFwGUzcrxeyvZ06khNXWZk3SgK4kHcyLL7Ib_7XDenC0g6p-FgLPHlBSUkzarGzDPCaHsuPdavmqvJwE03YhV5vbqKzTJ-TvhzXkbcWU7DDhWd4A97-OdNv_nxXinYAhEzhlaBvNOnDji-iDitzKWeGMG80pNBW1TTkTh8BXUMoRU/s4032/20220718_143355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUDWPrBX6iUVj-r8jFwGUzcrxeyvZ06khNXWZk3SgK4kHcyLL7Ib_7XDenC0g6p-FgLPHlBSUkzarGzDPCaHsuPdavmqvJwE03YhV5vbqKzTJ-TvhzXkbcWU7DDhWd4A97-OdNv_nxXinYAhEzhlaBvNOnDji-iDitzKWeGMG80pNBW1TTkTh8BXUMoRU/w360-h640/20220718_143355.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A jerry-rigged bridge, doesn’t look like Forest Service work to me</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4y8VPWhoY2RPLHOdr71gjIYiTmdX-Mg-0MtdEHGOycQVSKPo0S_KzcrRIA9T9_IrvkgDYWewvLOOBoq8pTjqugIlCCHL3eM2V2ttTfRQDkYzihAo5GqoSQrSUG3L1MRbyNb9QaMsNePPrbwkzwo5lob_xMdw4zTraS9mjOnSRVOjvtisihGhV_2TxvXl/s4032/20220718_144414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4y8VPWhoY2RPLHOdr71gjIYiTmdX-Mg-0MtdEHGOycQVSKPo0S_KzcrRIA9T9_IrvkgDYWewvLOOBoq8pTjqugIlCCHL3eM2V2ttTfRQDkYzihAo5GqoSQrSUG3L1MRbyNb9QaMsNePPrbwkzwo5lob_xMdw4zTraS9mjOnSRVOjvtisihGhV_2TxvXl/w360-h640/20220718_144414.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Something got washed away here – another wade with a muddy bottom</div><br />The return hike was slightly better only because I knew what to expect. Not my most exciting day in Pisgah National Forest, but the weather was cooperative and it was still better than a day at the office.<br /><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br />Postscript: Nine days later I returned to the North Mills River area with a friend and rehiked Bear Branch Trail out-and-back to its end.</span></i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaXvZVR9R0P6dWlTdaWkfPyXo2VOKLciKQQjh4l0w6Lciq5qgzbbQhsGVMzzCbaDHa0yZRctcFohELCv1Rj3BX4HCJBJ6vWdBxf_HpziWN_dm9LMFdCNLIvcKZFvWIpkz_CQYdKeTga0bf0U8tznWTYypUoKnVgG9McFsRWlQAIlpwHAjocLyF1AIuFj1/s4032/20220718_152840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaXvZVR9R0P6dWlTdaWkfPyXo2VOKLciKQQjh4l0w6Lciq5qgzbbQhsGVMzzCbaDHa0yZRctcFohELCv1Rj3BX4HCJBJ6vWdBxf_HpziWN_dm9LMFdCNLIvcKZFvWIpkz_CQYdKeTga0bf0U8tznWTYypUoKnVgG9McFsRWlQAIlpwHAjocLyF1AIuFj1/w360-h640/20220718_152840.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“When one tugs at a single thing in nature,</span></i></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i> he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i> ~John Muir</i></div></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-83392832602531304012023-06-20T20:27:00.000-04:002023-06-20T20:27:09.082-04:00Pisgah 400: High Falls on South Fork Mills River<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: High Falls South Fork Mills River & Buckhorn Gap Trail – 7/9/22 – 14.5 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu2uULaTVst7hPvaWVP9NHqGsy_Ivr6s0gJBqbXjSbNN9rFRPdB9WpZ9QoXqtHMP-ovno-MPNuZLVqukJkuTMnMrRc8YYGDNpKvKRqsiJT78-KYVgU4CvBGCliNtPExmVf1M15a_EJhaCWEA7TnoHPdruPNpBEYIjNPcV1KQEtHRjXt1u0pttSj7WHbgu/s2073/20220709_130331.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="1868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu2uULaTVst7hPvaWVP9NHqGsy_Ivr6s0gJBqbXjSbNN9rFRPdB9WpZ9QoXqtHMP-ovno-MPNuZLVqukJkuTMnMrRc8YYGDNpKvKRqsiJT78-KYVgU4CvBGCliNtPExmVf1M15a_EJhaCWEA7TnoHPdruPNpBEYIjNPcV1KQEtHRjXt1u0pttSj7WHbgu/w576-h640/20220709_130331.1.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><p>Here I am again at the intersection of “want to go” and “need help” for a waterfall hike in Pisgah National Forest. It’s not a bad place to be – out in the woods! – but I take safety in numbers seriously when looking at unmaintained trails and big water crossings. As part of the Carolina Mountain Club’s <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/26/page/wc100"><span style="color: red;">100 Waterfalls Challenge</span></a>, I’ve had this hike on my priority list for a year. Once Jim’s bout with COVID had passed (lingering affects?) he agreed to venture out with me.<br /><br /><a href="https://kevin-adams-photography.myshopify.com/products/north-carolina-waterfalls-book?variant=41655989305600"><span style="color: red;">Kevin Adams</span></a>’ narrative for reaching the waterfall raised some caution flags for me <i>[I trust Mr. Adams!]</i> so I researched more information. Two of my resources, <a href="https://www.dwhike.com/Hikes-in-the-South/North-Carolina-Hikes/Pisgah-NF-Pisgah-District/High-Falls-Mills-River-Pisgah/"><span style="color: red;">DWHikes</span></a> and <a href="https://www.brendajwiley.com/high_falls_south_mills_river.html"><span style="color: red;">Brenda Wiley</span></a>, offered blog posts with the level of detail I needed to decide how to tackle this hike. <i>[Brenda’s description included info on an alternative manway as well.]<br /><br /></i>The most recent on-the-ground descriptions I found of the hike reported very overgrown, eroded conditions. Feeling cautious about a tough trail plus a possible deep crossing, I decided to take the longer but more traveled route: South Mills River Trail to the intersection with Squirrel Gap Trail and the bridge crossing South Mills River. Without crossing the bridge, we would then backtrack a quarter mile or so, looking for an unmaintained trail upstream to the waterfall <i>(this worked!)<br /><br /></i>Afternoon thunderstorms were predicted (well, it is July) so we got an early start to get as much done as possible before getting drenched. We drove up scenic, windy Hwy 276 towards the Blue Ridge Parkway, turned right onto Yellow Gap Road (FR 1206) and turned right again at Wolf Ford Horse Camp (FR 476). A gate stopped us about .8 miles short of where we expected to park, adding 1.6 miles round trip to our hike. An early start is always a good plan for the unexpected.<br /><br />Too much preamble? Let’s go.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ivKfR59ftVb86xj7VNP69SN0-Y-Ck6Rq7bO-ptb5YWfXlpNkK772tIVfzijMJpvGXYjKMCAhfkGS0pjIXyD0ENNwG7LxkbGYtajNJBqWVMYO1ufsP8rkoI8xJzzZwHSrGQpueJNX8fkDEsu-2MCfMo9kv2qLCU7EZQkDVyB0MwFsSNM3-wppyDg8-XpN/s4032/20220709_101008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ivKfR59ftVb86xj7VNP69SN0-Y-Ck6Rq7bO-ptb5YWfXlpNkK772tIVfzijMJpvGXYjKMCAhfkGS0pjIXyD0ENNwG7LxkbGYtajNJBqWVMYO1ufsP8rkoI8xJzzZwHSrGQpueJNX8fkDEsu-2MCfMo9kv2qLCU7EZQkDVyB0MwFsSNM3-wppyDg8-XpN/w640-h480/20220709_101008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>So…we walked down the first .8 miles of rocky roadbed alongside South Mills River to another gate and the parking area we had expected to stop at. There were campsites beside the river. Perhaps this was recently closed? Who knows?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOU9h4hYIIg2iLG9dd6enj3uhVdSgG7TKTTbTO6B2soMk2JqObNNNuPIc9QRy337vZZ_qyBRtxOap_Vod58YvdlyKP9chOkqtoQUGFPflOprVAORyFKRekrKad8H8cU5jaaMCp7zGOX75LTa-xjdy7u_R3qDe3Q_d9KJE1rSI5oEEKgadMO-7f0lj6MS1T/s4032/20220709_103049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOU9h4hYIIg2iLG9dd6enj3uhVdSgG7TKTTbTO6B2soMk2JqObNNNuPIc9QRy337vZZ_qyBRtxOap_Vod58YvdlyKP9chOkqtoQUGFPflOprVAORyFKRekrKad8H8cU5jaaMCp7zGOX75LTa-xjdy7u_R3qDe3Q_d9KJE1rSI5oEEKgadMO-7f0lj6MS1T/w480-h640/20220709_103049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_w14h0tGKbNh9kci-ezSrfuKYJD7S4O7QKIMomhBmc190aUE8lC3n3KXGEJU-muoqaBWHDUt-E4ja8wfdxJ54GdjfFdU3ffCfoC8F6BPKDn1rn3Wzk-LLvMoz-ufYlYtXMw-O-M7X8qVtRrUiiQuK_I6NDt6qkO67idqS1hIFtLRPU1zhf8SndYK5L-p/s4032/20220709_103035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_w14h0tGKbNh9kci-ezSrfuKYJD7S4O7QKIMomhBmc190aUE8lC3n3KXGEJU-muoqaBWHDUt-E4ja8wfdxJ54GdjfFdU3ffCfoC8F6BPKDn1rn3Wzk-LLvMoz-ufYlYtXMw-O-M7X8qVtRrUiiQuK_I6NDt6qkO67idqS1hIFtLRPU1zhf8SndYK5L-p/w480-h640/20220709_103035.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1sY4QSGCvrx2PKETleDxSuwn4go_9vvHsqxt_pyIGahmPpaviy3o6blec956zUfxzTLOOJ8E3GUrstsXuRp2-8nDLfyw3dPVHD9vS686n_vImUIxqZOK9pQDudokD0RZksTfA4gbwvQZ8enZ_RtCJiNs2mxk5wGpzTyxK0IC35rCHzfZJ0et527O9i2c/s4032/20220709_103701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1sY4QSGCvrx2PKETleDxSuwn4go_9vvHsqxt_pyIGahmPpaviy3o6blec956zUfxzTLOOJ8E3GUrstsXuRp2-8nDLfyw3dPVHD9vS686n_vImUIxqZOK9pQDudokD0RZksTfA4gbwvQZ8enZ_RtCJiNs2mxk5wGpzTyxK0IC35rCHzfZJ0et527O9i2c/w480-h640/20220709_103701.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">South Fork Mills River</div><p>The river and the trail curve right and then sharply left at Otter Hole, a deep pool with a little sandy beach. This may be a popular swimming hole, but the water was dark, tannic, not inviting to me in the least.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwaZKDcNfiyUW6E8sPbAYXCV5qXT42kTk6sN9Iz2AxPe0KYJt_9NcK3NUhC4k6bUfkjPUnj6ziriBJPGIvRrqmUU7ldbcJ2ZtUIAZFYPiR1bV9iwtEGfMLZVbEfvI6TQJejqsyWAJycITI77LN4shSxKZyQQkYDVAWb4m11mB0bQreJAFk_GA6_dYW3Um/s4032/20220709_104420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwaZKDcNfiyUW6E8sPbAYXCV5qXT42kTk6sN9Iz2AxPe0KYJt_9NcK3NUhC4k6bUfkjPUnj6ziriBJPGIvRrqmUU7ldbcJ2ZtUIAZFYPiR1bV9iwtEGfMLZVbEfvI6TQJejqsyWAJycITI77LN4shSxKZyQQkYDVAWb4m11mB0bQreJAFk_GA6_dYW3Um/w480-h640/20220709_104420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Another .9 miles to where the Adams’ hike description turns left onto an unmaintained trail. We took one look and confirmed we didn’t want to go that route. We crossed this concrete bridge instead. Now we were on the right side of the river.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDLg__fvLvHvPdqnTTVELPOk0uAZFSDKpI97-XuH3Bb3CXrBm2VvnEQOGpgOmXmiraqdzq7nnXWUFlefwc9pQD68ZgLmDD-JOT7ftD0NUyuNXIGjUGPNH1jktHmgopr5kG_HlfsPELC5-d1LrXYcpju2Fnvi80sPDCCBGYPTJ0uc8cdmsX1-HAw9NGrvI/s4032/20220709_105306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDLg__fvLvHvPdqnTTVELPOk0uAZFSDKpI97-XuH3Bb3CXrBm2VvnEQOGpgOmXmiraqdzq7nnXWUFlefwc9pQD68ZgLmDD-JOT7ftD0NUyuNXIGjUGPNH1jktHmgopr5kG_HlfsPELC5-d1LrXYcpju2Fnvi80sPDCCBGYPTJ0uc8cdmsX1-HAw9NGrvI/w640-h480/20220709_105306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>From this point we were relying on GAIA GPS and our paper map. As we approached the intersection with Buckhorn Gap Trail, I broke the news to Jim that I wanted to connect the dots between this point and Black Mountain Trail if there was time later on <i>(read more <a href="http://smokyscout.blogspot.com/2023/05/pisgah-400-avery-creek-trailtwin-falls.html "><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>)</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EzikcyLH5yERUlwJNntsg7KQKNJZXzP1LrATsi7vMr38w-8m9Itv2Tmf2gLeOAatTgRPt_OTwIoIHpzSfuJi5THakfnbhY9GUQlcMsOLAtudpsOWTnkqKjdeB0c1ESVwjAGr3roZjeLrwAZAY6UmC395sYOpuDwLgVVGU8eL9XiHw99CQcxk7FDMNzoQ/s4032/20220709_111704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EzikcyLH5yERUlwJNntsg7KQKNJZXzP1LrATsi7vMr38w-8m9Itv2Tmf2gLeOAatTgRPt_OTwIoIHpzSfuJi5THakfnbhY9GUQlcMsOLAtudpsOWTnkqKjdeB0c1ESVwjAGr3roZjeLrwAZAY6UmC395sYOpuDwLgVVGU8eL9XiHw99CQcxk7FDMNzoQ/w480-h640/20220709_111704.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>South Mills River Trail, a gentle, undulating old roadbed, winds in and out of coves, crossing many small creeks that drain down to the river, none substantial but all marked on the map. Fungi flourished in the wet conditions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnNpoBQtOhLTQwIEJf-F9z0VHRaaYaTExI490ZY_d-E7bivwdw0lgILrJsRsukNDdW7nrtuLw_qk1k_2HNwS5feZ7Ju71Wa7CPKw85hv-DSLHJ9Stb4FQjo16D2oWz6DhTdvpQn-FxhW69fUGkitMoYTfgtcv5yrz88uqs91XTOai7tLH1knVgbCb103F/s3676/20220709_113753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnNpoBQtOhLTQwIEJf-F9z0VHRaaYaTExI490ZY_d-E7bivwdw0lgILrJsRsukNDdW7nrtuLw_qk1k_2HNwS5feZ7Ju71Wa7CPKw85hv-DSLHJ9Stb4FQjo16D2oWz6DhTdvpQn-FxhW69fUGkitMoYTfgtcv5yrz88uqs91XTOai7tLH1knVgbCb103F/w394-h640/20220709_113753.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3L1iGZMb7K4kbLzQJ3Qw-z0O1iWHHER8vz9SA0kfTE9Gv_-uTFWUdN3DY4L4h-ptbOrLdhOJpVBW_fiVh24Zsafkrj3N6LoC7L8uP1yj2pT0itd8ubHX4RoqYskoD90CC57jHR6yZ96kKP0srpfCUHQRFe1jXNz_pl9AQjL2gMlsKJQdr-OU9w3mzOX0/s4032/20220709_112855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3L1iGZMb7K4kbLzQJ3Qw-z0O1iWHHER8vz9SA0kfTE9Gv_-uTFWUdN3DY4L4h-ptbOrLdhOJpVBW_fiVh24Zsafkrj3N6LoC7L8uP1yj2pT0itd8ubHX4RoqYskoD90CC57jHR6yZ96kKP0srpfCUHQRFe1jXNz_pl9AQjL2gMlsKJQdr-OU9w3mzOX0/w360-h640/20220709_112855.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpEFXnzrCEudxgySYUEKsIg6BmGibdnnWV70dS7M2-a_a3b4SGG_nfzc0PFygpIvQjvazH3I5eKNNGjIlm6kPw7tbbcsnUzNM2xesDV-fSUIlySKnrjWq2g24Tqye9pGgEVrzPANkaj3opX6B-agmh5VPKOiWOWxosYIlGvdwnyq3zbRBBjIiUm6z6eg/s2761/20220709_121218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="2761" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpEFXnzrCEudxgySYUEKsIg6BmGibdnnWV70dS7M2-a_a3b4SGG_nfzc0PFygpIvQjvazH3I5eKNNGjIlm6kPw7tbbcsnUzNM2xesDV-fSUIlySKnrjWq2g24Tqye9pGgEVrzPANkaj3opX6B-agmh5VPKOiWOWxosYIlGvdwnyq3zbRBBjIiUm6z6eg/w640-h414/20220709_121218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3C0jVU2o4xEGvipUPAZSwutFQvbQ28lSbX7w-t3CeMAr3UWTSobQQML03bQiADgymTbHcVc6mJtMXvp-vJ5SAXB_jdHshXoeE6CVNVF3dpI6TN12-k4HnxM6gmYA0N9HRpzdUtGdo08PnUhMvFGsOuUGPUvM2G2xqWy0iqtordkM8J5-cHfZeWL-uhRx/s4032/20220709_112330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3C0jVU2o4xEGvipUPAZSwutFQvbQ28lSbX7w-t3CeMAr3UWTSobQQML03bQiADgymTbHcVc6mJtMXvp-vJ5SAXB_jdHshXoeE6CVNVF3dpI6TN12-k4HnxM6gmYA0N9HRpzdUtGdo08PnUhMvFGsOuUGPUvM2G2xqWy0iqtordkM8J5-cHfZeWL-uhRx/w360-h640/20220709_112330.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>After about 2.5 miles on South Mills River Trail, keeping a close eye on GAIA and Brenda’s narrative, we spotted a faint path at the last hairpin turn before intersecting with Squirrel Gap. We walked further to check out this intersection and the bridge. <i>(FYI, the intersection had no signage, I don’t know what you would do here if you didn’t have GPS or some navigation to keep you on track.)</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL_8uHJBw4uHwKSxsHmk2ML8nG-e3vTjFI8vYncu5z27UINVYrLyt8NYDm3LYQcQ_6-HqRXn7m7KqkdWC9tH-L5-pOl65C3ZNj4W6GzK19qku5-P7yRJ5UhAeoWI_Y79KDCWKfHNxHyr8aWGg3F4rlpkYKUfzICM0YFGBOD2FB7XUaUdR8zNzxYyfs5YQ/s4032/20220709_122948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL_8uHJBw4uHwKSxsHmk2ML8nG-e3vTjFI8vYncu5z27UINVYrLyt8NYDm3LYQcQ_6-HqRXn7m7KqkdWC9tH-L5-pOl65C3ZNj4W6GzK19qku5-P7yRJ5UhAeoWI_Y79KDCWKfHNxHyr8aWGg3F4rlpkYKUfzICM0YFGBOD2FB7XUaUdR8zNzxYyfs5YQ/w360-h640/20220709_122948.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A sign indicating where horses can ford the river and an ominous “Bridge Out” – hmmm. <br />The bridge was destroyed by the remnants of Hurricane Fred in 2021.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHqhuSNE4evLhUpokyQUP9_sfyCKsqmcK073I04G2CoYH2wA64aQdhoOPPc4EsRyaf_L4fdZ4jU0W9b4jAHwrf2hKd4qcjPeBq8LhS08TR2uW3HXnj_xhDgAX7JcpBUzxkf5ZyuV3UQE9lz55yC0gUo7z96nb3mTQO6CzKkLAMRcaXpmDSKqzwmw285UC/s4032/20220709_122420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHqhuSNE4evLhUpokyQUP9_sfyCKsqmcK073I04G2CoYH2wA64aQdhoOPPc4EsRyaf_L4fdZ4jU0W9b4jAHwrf2hKd4qcjPeBq8LhS08TR2uW3HXnj_xhDgAX7JcpBUzxkf5ZyuV3UQE9lz55yC0gUo7z96nb3mTQO6CzKkLAMRcaXpmDSKqzwmw285UC/w360-h640/20220709_122420.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bridge from our side looked damaged…</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpmIqaWF6wDX_9r3MbQBffFhQAL_iNplWUUjcHx7tNnQaKriJxhojP_SpZKPwKKts3wWpRJMcN32D3YOGdOG3dHKXvZikId19eZcX2AQKhuh4Y4ECU8XoQ47dO3MCnlkLQzRRj0LtCvBjisMwXrqQaRDk4NSM4m2OIpYoqktAaMXcm9QLkzyXluwMmPq2/s4032/20220709_122514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpmIqaWF6wDX_9r3MbQBffFhQAL_iNplWUUjcHx7tNnQaKriJxhojP_SpZKPwKKts3wWpRJMcN32D3YOGdOG3dHKXvZikId19eZcX2AQKhuh4Y4ECU8XoQ47dO3MCnlkLQzRRj0LtCvBjisMwXrqQaRDk4NSM4m2OIpYoqktAaMXcm9QLkzyXluwMmPq2/w640-h360/20220709_122514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />…and stepping aside for a clearer view, the rest of the bridge casually tossed onto the far bank was sobering indeed. Steel wires that held the boards were dangling somehow and a wasp nest was hanging on the end of one of the wires (looks like a volleyball). <br /><br />For what it’s worth, at this point the river did look safe to cross if you chose your route carefully.<br /><br />Backtracking to the faint trail, agreeing that we would go as long as the trail was obvious, we crossed Clawhammer Creek, getting our feet wet for the first time. From that point we had a very good trail, maybe .6 miles along the riverbank, a couple of campsites along the way. <br /><br />We got close enough to glimpse High Falls through the thick vegetation but couldn’t find a way to get down to the riverbed. Next we found a place to reach the water, but the river bent and we could only hear it…We tried going out onto the rocks in the river and could see some of it…<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeWQR3YHUi_035-jmoB56cARxiwlU1GflsE1M0YI0J-1Bd7FKQn9e7ChmExz6pMvl-CWiWzzRz1r7nzNrfsJRM0ma_3QNB7o198X_HC6KKi41JTzgrUyD-4rV1IjQfS5lvhM8kpg80biE3rzvoMcIDmYEHeC9qPrYVQllY33p-6V0rHvsNl2jyPdDqlYU/s2592/20220709_125910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeWQR3YHUi_035-jmoB56cARxiwlU1GflsE1M0YI0J-1Bd7FKQn9e7ChmExz6pMvl-CWiWzzRz1r7nzNrfsJRM0ma_3QNB7o198X_HC6KKi41JTzgrUyD-4rV1IjQfS5lvhM8kpg80biE3rzvoMcIDmYEHeC9qPrYVQllY33p-6V0rHvsNl2jyPdDqlYU/w640-h480/20220709_125910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So close! Surely there is another way</div><br />Looks like I’m gonna have to fight through some rhododendron at the river’s edge. I slowly made my way upstream on the left side, hanging onto branches, around the bend in the river, out on the rocks. And there she was, a powerful beauty, called High Falls not because of her height but because she is the farthest named waterfall upstream.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhactObir5RQ_U4c_ClRvvaHHS3GFgmaeNKvciwEQp9ax820a-_T_0UvmXOXSwIWqWAjSJH6M_uZXJPDQeXRMIocLxgOgsb2o2-hQlnT7dQgymQCtRg_OCB5D7pNBmTINBlHbKHGfFfR4WzzEMGFb5ODacN7qRAiHxlsNc8MlZoom82joYGIuT7pnQyXHqa/s2073/20220709_130331.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="1868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhactObir5RQ_U4c_ClRvvaHHS3GFgmaeNKvciwEQp9ax820a-_T_0UvmXOXSwIWqWAjSJH6M_uZXJPDQeXRMIocLxgOgsb2o2-hQlnT7dQgymQCtRg_OCB5D7pNBmTINBlHbKHGfFfR4WzzEMGFb5ODacN7qRAiHxlsNc8MlZoom82joYGIuT7pnQyXHqa/w576-h640/20220709_130331.1.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">High Falls on South Mills River</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L2diQUjvNRw2hYvrc2VKEKKM-68COvC6vMBKt94RiasepofMDhU6xWt6xQdhM1-z03p3UTkckWf_s29SSEC-BUZpESmDhzJZtHADdI3_FQaXyK2a_7I8_qor8RjsL8r529kUaybC7ykN5FrGCIWcavtOul9dwZYuFoAEtcTPydJPrxnfgMVZ34P96O4y/s4032/20220709_131849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L2diQUjvNRw2hYvrc2VKEKKM-68COvC6vMBKt94RiasepofMDhU6xWt6xQdhM1-z03p3UTkckWf_s29SSEC-BUZpESmDhzJZtHADdI3_FQaXyK2a_7I8_qor8RjsL8r529kUaybC7ykN5FrGCIWcavtOul9dwZYuFoAEtcTPydJPrxnfgMVZ34P96O4y/w360-h640/20220709_131849.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jim the Hiker Model</div><br />We ate lunch and discussed our return hike. The short way was trying to cross the river and find Adams’ route back up (no thanks), the long way retracing our steps on South Mills River Trail (a known safe way), and the “middle way” of the unmaintained trail that Brenda indicated going straight up to the ridge. We chose the middle.<br /><br />Backtracking to Clawhammer Creek, we turned right onto yet another faint trail just before crossing and began a short, steep climb. The trail was pretty good, narrow but clear, and we never lost it even as it gained the ridge line and followed through thick blueberry bushes and thick mountain laurel – not a scenic route but a straightforward one. More mushrooms!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLi5DP8JBxi05rL6aH1IjLU58jowsRAA_jRyvyfTgJJj7FB44RYAeusmxP1k9rqmO2Qy5B4EQZARaFu7AqwGmCKrKtYy4IqR2F2HLCJ0t7TWNyRwpWzsB0vsIliUnSxdbIFXN9dBX7oz0wqs3IcNr4EZxTfKc1I9BzMLOzADwJ24cZBYRUnniN3JeH2Xk/s4032/20220709_133028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLi5DP8JBxi05rL6aH1IjLU58jowsRAA_jRyvyfTgJJj7FB44RYAeusmxP1k9rqmO2Qy5B4EQZARaFu7AqwGmCKrKtYy4IqR2F2HLCJ0t7TWNyRwpWzsB0vsIliUnSxdbIFXN9dBX7oz0wqs3IcNr4EZxTfKc1I9BzMLOzADwJ24cZBYRUnniN3JeH2Xk/w360-h640/20220709_133028.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc3WM0HRrYiqkoX_bMtfZVDxtrJdUCXJvPb-M_3BHULs3SYR2WWOo66xNHeVH3loiJNMalad8kRHzmWM2emDOXgaOtRXSCJZFTZxEF5DAjhOo8gCUbSM5XbmVO5Lua8085FDGOawfmGNdJTd4TBcBe0J2WMYq_S17uAes0O-tvMF-K2XhcZsjvGSieMtZ/s4032/20220709_140956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc3WM0HRrYiqkoX_bMtfZVDxtrJdUCXJvPb-M_3BHULs3SYR2WWOo66xNHeVH3loiJNMalad8kRHzmWM2emDOXgaOtRXSCJZFTZxEF5DAjhOo8gCUbSM5XbmVO5Lua8085FDGOawfmGNdJTd4TBcBe0J2WMYq_S17uAes0O-tvMF-K2XhcZsjvGSieMtZ/w360-h640/20220709_140956.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKLG4kBg03qh4wn79cA9vWarEmFpGSODncWIcCr1exiDhLaoTq0ZhIK97-cZCrTfMjhu1l2eCjFSKUImlz2_jNzHi7CAht7oZoKLhhnMi3udXQ9rkbbE_RIzXra8z77jOjnbRSTRfwVg4MJWigDHPSjr4ckRphIDDMLlTFOaPX4tKJ-FDUbLv3wfAmUVW/s2814/20220709_133132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2814" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKLG4kBg03qh4wn79cA9vWarEmFpGSODncWIcCr1exiDhLaoTq0ZhIK97-cZCrTfMjhu1l2eCjFSKUImlz2_jNzHi7CAht7oZoKLhhnMi3udXQ9rkbbE_RIzXra8z77jOjnbRSTRfwVg4MJWigDHPSjr4ckRphIDDMLlTFOaPX4tKJ-FDUbLv3wfAmUVW/w640-h516/20220709_133132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSexIwUEhaiwOMdbBYqHsSgymlhJNoyAFrhsBl62SOT6H9QTb2Yl78Wqr6B4RVbQwln5VZs11H5-TSEnrTRvJipOPgTsTRDxUAgQnKyL9tdJ8ux5Uv5aMJLBBBNFgIyBTx8nYKvWhFk2otW9AIY_G8oSxAyxC_cqIRS7mQmsu5ETUDYwzSGza67NeVKku/s2573/20220709_140924.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="2247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSexIwUEhaiwOMdbBYqHsSgymlhJNoyAFrhsBl62SOT6H9QTb2Yl78Wqr6B4RVbQwln5VZs11H5-TSEnrTRvJipOPgTsTRDxUAgQnKyL9tdJ8ux5Uv5aMJLBBBNFgIyBTx8nYKvWhFk2otW9AIY_G8oSxAyxC_cqIRS7mQmsu5ETUDYwzSGza67NeVKku/w558-h640/20220709_140924.1.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><p>South Mills River Trail was visible downhill on our left, close enough to bushwhack to it, but we kept our course until we properly intersected it. A great feeling to successfully follow the manway!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP28rO-_VjMsTmTMoPafs5Qpp26otoKf5eDD5IDISzYVZBXPQyeO19zIagGJ77Aq3ImRWYwz3wz_IpMo3xoNoMuIqyUEzYpkwwLRv5nuEccmCT-YBm59QcYK5V1Jitf2TYIjziXOYQ3nrsq_dT3NVj6R2q3W5pMLzLLqrTLf89r0uQlGFMGPccb2vWd5D/s4032/20220709_141219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP28rO-_VjMsTmTMoPafs5Qpp26otoKf5eDD5IDISzYVZBXPQyeO19zIagGJ77Aq3ImRWYwz3wz_IpMo3xoNoMuIqyUEzYpkwwLRv5nuEccmCT-YBm59QcYK5V1Jitf2TYIjziXOYQ3nrsq_dT3NVj6R2q3W5pMLzLLqrTLf89r0uQlGFMGPccb2vWd5D/w360-h640/20220709_141219.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our innocuous side trail</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCrW8gdIBZ6MYDhANyTya0W8sJbvdLTIl4veG625pKzrw18MlSSCQFwCMaA3wNsfn7QCCN5lqVBv9q1YhReS6vlEEdwE3sUBUKxSKtQ88YIKIpZ-JB8pEerybgWj4YB1N8KY9RqUe2o0sFa3lZH7yfHQKl9qrQxJi1hrEQy8OOeRn7XzEZ4kIj8YpfxTw/s4032/20220709_144954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCrW8gdIBZ6MYDhANyTya0W8sJbvdLTIl4veG625pKzrw18MlSSCQFwCMaA3wNsfn7QCCN5lqVBv9q1YhReS6vlEEdwE3sUBUKxSKtQ88YIKIpZ-JB8pEerybgWj4YB1N8KY9RqUe2o0sFa3lZH7yfHQKl9qrQxJi1hrEQy8OOeRn7XzEZ4kIj8YpfxTw/w360-h640/20220709_144954.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Now I faced my Pisgah nemesis: Buckhorn Gap Trail. It pops up at many intersections and this was the last bit I had not yet hiked, out-and-back (3 miles total). After our extra mileage at the beginning, this would make a very long day. Jim wasn’t feeling 100% but he encouraged me to do it because returning another day for this short remnant deep in the forest would be a pain in the a$$.<br /><br />So we did it, a flat, dull trail that made me wonder a little bit about this completion thing I have. The last couple of miles to our car went faster, slightly downhill, and I forced myself to relax rather than hustle – sometimes going slower is really going faster. We finished about 4:15 pm.<br /><br />Thunderstorms never appeared.<br /><br />Changed clothes at the car – had the forethought to bring a cooler with sodas! We pushed to get home before dark and enjoyed pizza while watching the Tour de France, a small reward to Jim for hanging in there. He’s a good guy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5nqi_5RSBceNa0sfpT1VC6r8151M4gX_7Z3uwasbwnOI7Jt0naUTLoNWyRIXIaWxxjPqw9Ogb8CtGIw7aSX282V2gqEg7KKvO6o7tbhMJWmg-Ws9Z5cjJZTwYDskW6W2d9DktnUNnX7zEK5hjo3OT5V6rQ28svXWfEuJURURiwKLKzFgNPmBsfLebp6_/s1920/GAIA%20track.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5nqi_5RSBceNa0sfpT1VC6r8151M4gX_7Z3uwasbwnOI7Jt0naUTLoNWyRIXIaWxxjPqw9Ogb8CtGIw7aSX282V2gqEg7KKvO6o7tbhMJWmg-Ws9Z5cjJZTwYDskW6W2d9DktnUNnX7zEK5hjo3OT5V6rQ28svXWfEuJURURiwKLKzFgNPmBsfLebp6_/w360-h640/GAIA%20track.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>"At some point in life, <br />the world's beauty becomes enough." <br />~Toni Morrison</i></span></p><p><br /></p></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-9579949613396659732023-05-25T18:12:00.001-04:002023-05-25T18:12:25.988-04:00Pisgah 400: Avery Creek Trail/Twin Falls Loop<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: Avery Creek/Twin Falls Loop – 5/22/22 – 10.4 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCf_3WSulWff7A-v5OpCV8sIyChuzt4pLSd1lTNJGfrOdglrWji7mGGWgNcLJoKghbWbrne-Rg1xwbXuzx9PGw_kTzqQJuhE3HbWsqER_cZvnOi-FGIAS3o3sI3QCpzxVi_f7EmT0qKF5kbN7UjBdDXI2nS0n1MIHPnJ1JQicxy8NX7CdsS9Sdf7SsA/s4032/20220522_091313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCf_3WSulWff7A-v5OpCV8sIyChuzt4pLSd1lTNJGfrOdglrWji7mGGWgNcLJoKghbWbrne-Rg1xwbXuzx9PGw_kTzqQJuhE3HbWsqER_cZvnOi-FGIAS3o3sI3QCpzxVi_f7EmT0qKF5kbN7UjBdDXI2nS0n1MIHPnJ1JQicxy8NX7CdsS9Sdf7SsA/w480-h640/20220522_091313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Looking at 7 pages of notes I wrote about this hike on the day I did it, figuring how to whittle it down to a post that my little band of followers will enjoy reading. Here goes.<br /><br />Like many people, I’ve had more cancellations than successful plans since COVID rocked the planet. Jim and I managed to avoid being sick…until this week <i>[in May 2022]</i>. Now Jim is isolating (canceling our weekend in the mountains) and I am restless and thinking how to relieve the itching both short term and long term.<br /><br />My <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/26/page/wc100"><span style="color: red;">waterfall challenge</span></a> is SO close to being completed, but the remaining hikes involve swift creek crossings and bushwhacking that I will not attempt solo. The <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/24/page/Pisgah-400 "><span style="color: red;">Pisgah 400 Challenge</span></a> is always looking over my shoulder, though, so I settled on Avery Creek Trail in Pisgah National Forest, out-and-back, about 7 miles total. Not a full day but there it is.<br /><br />Out of curiosity, I looked at Carolina Mountain Club’s <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/397/page/100-Favorite-Trails-Challenge"><span style="color: red;">“100 Favorite Trails Challenge”</span></a> and saw that Hike #65 combines Avery Creek Trail with some trails I’ve done and some snippets that I have not, totaling 10 miles. Bonus points, it includes Twin Falls, a few more miles, a more interesting route.<br /><br />Thunderstorms were predicted for the afternoon, so I left home very early to give myself a good chance to finish before getting drenched <i>(ended up having no rain at all, just overcast skies)</i>. With no traffic on this Sunday morning, I was on trail by 9:00 a.m.<br /><br />I started on Buckhorn Gap Trail, which is long, disjointed, confusing and manifests multiple personalities. I’ve hiked this particular little stretch before and recalled that it crisscrosses both Avery Creek and Avery Creek Trail. These are horse trails with unbridged horse crossings and (hopefully) bridged people crossings. Signage is good but not perfect and blazes are sporadic.<br /><br />Adding a degree of difficulty, Hurricane Fred had flooded Pisgah NF in August 2021, choking many of the creeks and drainages with piles of debris. Much of it will be there through my lifetime. That is how nature works.<br /><br />Some bridges along my route were washed away as well. A few temporary structures have been put in place, challenging me to cross some sketchy logs to keep my feet dry. One particularly impressive debris pile was my only choice versus knee deep water. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg-0se7MXUU1pt8UrP0GmVWU32tPPwFoWo2bhSALmC4Hd7P22OoAReky2s9kdvvJLTz7jTX7M9KrJblLXojn8Epujd21R-zOA6WvTTUTsNGuZPCcAmpXICA3K8eDR_OSQfIYskqskWIKTvESfb8nLvvSVzsd3g2j3Ork68W4ydcQyGHu551PWsc56Kg/s4032/20220522_093421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg-0se7MXUU1pt8UrP0GmVWU32tPPwFoWo2bhSALmC4Hd7P22OoAReky2s9kdvvJLTz7jTX7M9KrJblLXojn8Epujd21R-zOA6WvTTUTsNGuZPCcAmpXICA3K8eDR_OSQfIYskqskWIKTvESfb8nLvvSVzsd3g2j3Ork68W4ydcQyGHu551PWsc56Kg/w480-h640/20220522_093421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxIgnrwrOkpCAVH3kJMmNuAPa03ofFt0SjNV4k5ocPH6YEVxITRNW78MMUK9NLxqdL0OV6Uq8vNjwjyuYbkTZkcHH3dBRkG_mMsNhnNnwB-JWR7gB0WJwL_VpDq7q2kF-57rO8-mOXx2T9t4FHU5K7uZSImv6ljn2S6b0H0HOHpPW9ykzAVTqpUR6ug/s4032/20220522_094226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxIgnrwrOkpCAVH3kJMmNuAPa03ofFt0SjNV4k5ocPH6YEVxITRNW78MMUK9NLxqdL0OV6Uq8vNjwjyuYbkTZkcHH3dBRkG_mMsNhnNnwB-JWR7gB0WJwL_VpDq7q2kF-57rO8-mOXx2T9t4FHU5K7uZSImv6ljn2S6b0H0HOHpPW9ykzAVTqpUR6ug/w480-h640/20220522_094226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCl6nXyVXMBQoGqK3S9Os6pQW81NXF0chTtmyi9r9EWGOTDmT-s3-bIgZbZ-qxpz4dkhhlfZTs-kjYGQcfkUmoBq4zTk8olafFRuS--ZnUa41kN7z0X9CuZLqV2YT0hN5YQIT7HgeSoy1eO_agDdEMn-vX3JARH-U-Gd0LW1cjrG8lLOQmzdwcUXO9Q/s4032/20220522_093935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCl6nXyVXMBQoGqK3S9Os6pQW81NXF0chTtmyi9r9EWGOTDmT-s3-bIgZbZ-qxpz4dkhhlfZTs-kjYGQcfkUmoBq4zTk8olafFRuS--ZnUa41kN7z0X9CuZLqV2YT0hN5YQIT7HgeSoy1eO_agDdEMn-vX3JARH-U-Gd0LW1cjrG8lLOQmzdwcUXO9Q/w480-h640/20220522_093935.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Turning left on yellow-blazed Twin Falls Trail, the previous night’s rain had left the trails wet/muddy in some places, dry on the south facing slopes, full foliage in shimmering green. I glimpsed a high waterfall on the left and took the first social trail I saw. A couple hundred yards in, that trail petered out. <i>[This waterfall is probably only visible during/after a good rain event.]</i> I backtracked to the main trail, went a little farther, and saw two high waterfalls on my right – the real Twin Falls.<br /><br />I followed the slippery trail up to the base, but the best view is really farther down because there are multiple cascades. Really beautiful, even when the forest “gets in the way.” </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9Rtf09SMiDVJbfAXUKb7jX3wrQeEEN41lh1Jhxz4JHssdt4Np3A-Zggw62X1jmVlsOlFV7-672JHLAoKUBl2Gjk1-EHyJdzDc9gKdrnhQmXy0FzTdNsRvCahWdCCJvEjGRMjWke-k-04GNXojLN7sl_mvD1hFlesRIsbCGzmEaJ73gTbEivp1Qi6fg/s4032/20220522_101041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9Rtf09SMiDVJbfAXUKb7jX3wrQeEEN41lh1Jhxz4JHssdt4Np3A-Zggw62X1jmVlsOlFV7-672JHLAoKUBl2Gjk1-EHyJdzDc9gKdrnhQmXy0FzTdNsRvCahWdCCJvEjGRMjWke-k-04GNXojLN7sl_mvD1hFlesRIsbCGzmEaJ73gTbEivp1Qi6fg/w480-h640/20220522_101041.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The left “twin”</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOFIuKBvyLD7yZjR3mKQOk4lK4k9l7KNGCaCw-ypZa6GnNX-ahFrXKZ4eXEVi-pbDVLhaDhKmmtdmlsEAEjWbcX9tw7GrfqRXJ4gnJpv31KWEvVyk5FrNMhe2HLVTPSn4BgW0zvCASdqfEvUVAUo0iGlRXm70IJQmvLlBaiNBWwyOcge5xfferAHMWQ/s4032/20220522_101327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOFIuKBvyLD7yZjR3mKQOk4lK4k9l7KNGCaCw-ypZa6GnNX-ahFrXKZ4eXEVi-pbDVLhaDhKmmtdmlsEAEjWbcX9tw7GrfqRXJ4gnJpv31KWEvVyk5FrNMhe2HLVTPSn4BgW0zvCASdqfEvUVAUo0iGlRXm70IJQmvLlBaiNBWwyOcge5xfferAHMWQ/w480-h640/20220522_101327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The main drop with a large debris pile near its base</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The narrow trail to the second waterfall was a bit more muddy and precarious so I opted not to go too far up. On <a href="http://smokyscout.blogspot.com/2017/09/pisgah-400-twin-falls-loop.html"><span style="color: red;">my prior visit</span></a>, I went all the way to the base and even walked behind the falls, but not today. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3CZCbjOjEc9PZbWwKZJCHZxUtiy9TVpPdZpwMJSkhBA3KCuETBfPcGnMP68fuYMUAyJbm2RCTFj4ZvFrWcLUFKEuM3g8zW1YFmOwJrjR7jLh9OkKL1CZv4njBOI3jYLcqqjmC9xZjswps4FyPgiTKTltmHQe5gBjs0oVaN1KLTxscwGy96noCuSowQ/s4032/20220522_101912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3CZCbjOjEc9PZbWwKZJCHZxUtiy9TVpPdZpwMJSkhBA3KCuETBfPcGnMP68fuYMUAyJbm2RCTFj4ZvFrWcLUFKEuM3g8zW1YFmOwJrjR7jLh9OkKL1CZv4njBOI3jYLcqqjmC9xZjswps4FyPgiTKTltmHQe5gBjs0oVaN1KLTxscwGy96noCuSowQ/w480-h640/20220522_101912.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The right “twin"</div><br />I had a bit of confusion picking up the trail continuing past the waterfalls – there is a campsite and many social trails around it. Once again GAIA helped me from getting turned around. <i>[How did I do this in my pre-GPS days?? Oh, yeah, I didn’t hike solo in Pisgah very much.]</i><br /><br />Continuing on Buckhorn Gap Trail for a short distance, I turned left onto another trail (Still Buckhorn Gap? Maybe Clawhammer?) and hiked the steep 1.3 miles to FS 5058, turned left again and walked a mile on the forest road, then turned right to pick up Buckhorn Gap/Clawhammer (?) again for yet another mile up to the intersection of Black Mountain Trail, an old forest road, and even more Buckhorn Gap Trail. <br /><br />Too many turn-by-turn directions? Here are a few wildflowers along the way:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdJI3WsWMm6frOFT6VyDVIgptUfvvSqjEWQgIi6zEcfaayKlLsz3llSfm1M1fsDeDyki5rgMbA7tEgJ3j6zfDBl5x_TNG6AJgfntoPmMRx3ekCTBdUDXGXjzVlacm7EKX4dQIOYOOXUr0BsgS_NNW_wO_UfkGkOTdPgP1TnCNTRk3djuyoY_pRxsZjA/s4032/20220522_103729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdJI3WsWMm6frOFT6VyDVIgptUfvvSqjEWQgIi6zEcfaayKlLsz3llSfm1M1fsDeDyki5rgMbA7tEgJ3j6zfDBl5x_TNG6AJgfntoPmMRx3ekCTBdUDXGXjzVlacm7EKX4dQIOYOOXUr0BsgS_NNW_wO_UfkGkOTdPgP1TnCNTRk3djuyoY_pRxsZjA/w480-h640/20220522_103729.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fairy wand</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KxJYDEsy9s8fgMDEx2oqqvT_COZhc6nWHfouHVe83QiryroT8TbZhayt_Vwe9N3hGadcyg9leT_Mi1UZNhJTi7Y_3OfJV-ZIEvsREqIz2MGMqfIaloGcvQPntlEi1kqTl1p_WggbWEAMRZM_Mqzdm7UmX7M-R8Wxnkg-_0a0hssK0ycVH9TaqinlZA/s2807/20220522_105558.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2807" data-original-width="2044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KxJYDEsy9s8fgMDEx2oqqvT_COZhc6nWHfouHVe83QiryroT8TbZhayt_Vwe9N3hGadcyg9leT_Mi1UZNhJTi7Y_3OfJV-ZIEvsREqIz2MGMqfIaloGcvQPntlEi1kqTl1p_WggbWEAMRZM_Mqzdm7UmX7M-R8Wxnkg-_0a0hssK0ycVH9TaqinlZA/w466-h640/20220522_105558.1.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spiderwort and fleabane</div><br />At this intersection (the actual Buckhorn Gap) I stopped for lunch before tackling Black Mountain Trail. A young woman on a mountain bike came through and we chatted for a minute as I munched on my cheese and crackers. She shouldered her bike and climbed the stairs – impressive physical and mental strength, confident in what she wanted to do. Made me feel courage to keep going and push myself.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJJrPcmEJvgMgv9VgqiMPAt6FZxkF3KTiciOYqt3AWo60cwU45G1QlsxR5yWwcTMlwMxVdt3756ZeIvRfjeAn_K0JYAaeS4NKJQ91PrN8C6pOJJjbHmMQU4gYQw-nZm-fjiSiJgJgOqriW3FyC9xaCRDHLDaRAG4R12YjEz1YRBmSwhbpgjzlFdH29w/s4032/20220522_112006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJJrPcmEJvgMgv9VgqiMPAt6FZxkF3KTiciOYqt3AWo60cwU45G1QlsxR5yWwcTMlwMxVdt3756ZeIvRfjeAn_K0JYAaeS4NKJQ91PrN8C6pOJJjbHmMQU4gYQw-nZm-fjiSiJgJgOqriW3FyC9xaCRDHLDaRAG4R12YjEz1YRBmSwhbpgjzlFdH29w/w480-h640/20220522_112006.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Mountain bikers were now showing up, solos and groups. Some were vocal in announcing their presence, a few just blowing through like they owned the trail. What is the etiquette? Yield to hikers? A myth.<br /><br />Buckhorn Gap Shelter is on this stretch of Black Mountain Trail. I had not known of this shelter before seeing it today. The large three-sided structure with built-in bunks is raised up on stacked stone corners, like old log cabins, set in a large clearing with a couple of fire rings and space for multiple tents and hammocks. Didn’t see a water source but assume it is close by. The latest users left a very clean camp. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDE2_DnO-zSJFZ8QcuSp8gk8wrg7_o70mQXcIOfaS2-zfDTAqZL5nT0gO7a97JQkx04T91U5V-iiOya-AmAvsk9OH8b7XYtTjkzGRp-gem-ipnhB19eQYjhhpuuX7WpXm_wQpQGCcA7zbYIFsK0u2zD5f1eOt0ReM5rFbgDjdA9IZ0POaXsBA5Ny78g/s4032/20220522_114332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDE2_DnO-zSJFZ8QcuSp8gk8wrg7_o70mQXcIOfaS2-zfDTAqZL5nT0gO7a97JQkx04T91U5V-iiOya-AmAvsk9OH8b7XYtTjkzGRp-gem-ipnhB19eQYjhhpuuX7WpXm_wQpQGCcA7zbYIFsK0u2zD5f1eOt0ReM5rFbgDjdA9IZ0POaXsBA5Ny78g/w480-h640/20220522_114332.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubeg5Lz8yUbqUurpP3nms5RBta_HCgD-HVRxQj7bhQVysAXaxyNTh8iX4EygzVv4YSMlX4lGJy2-nmmc4JzxZi7gxmXhPrtohX2gt3Igh4QS3cV_NkuehTNIJCzuGdZzyjIpksEceIkjyXWTfQA9vYGoKWhHYdzhqahtnKIZ2aLurTqALl7oXrbNb7Q/s4032/20220522_114504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubeg5Lz8yUbqUurpP3nms5RBta_HCgD-HVRxQj7bhQVysAXaxyNTh8iX4EygzVv4YSMlX4lGJy2-nmmc4JzxZi7gxmXhPrtohX2gt3Igh4QS3cV_NkuehTNIJCzuGdZzyjIpksEceIkjyXWTfQA9vYGoKWhHYdzhqahtnKIZ2aLurTqALl7oXrbNb7Q/w640-h480/20220522_114504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This part of Black Mountain Trail follows along Soapstone Ridge, pleasant sandy undulating tread for a mile or so to Barnett Branch Trail. Another cycling group passed me, including a man pushing his bike, and for some reason he said that his wife was a ways behind him (perhaps to explain why he was walking?) Soon a woman came up behind me, also pushing her bike, and I realized it was the man’s wife. <br /><br />I made small talk as she smiled gamely and said she was working hard to keep up with the group. I said that she didn’t need to keep up, she could just go at a pace that made her happy. She seemed to take encouragement from that, and I meant it. <br /><br />Why am I relaying this interaction? Because I’ve felt like that woman many times, and it’s no fun when all you think is that you have to keep up to someone else’s idea of fun. “Hike your own hike” is an affirmation that, once internalized, can apply to just about anything.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPHYK91hbQ320mgC5o6u914_WIYD36cpFxayEl61C-YLVe3Z55_QFPgbjqEPLTd1eCGResccH_EnbRvE-2nXe1cz_eISXiSu6-eUmHJpxOoa5LbEM8G2oPfzjnPNJOUvN-RHskkjLCm-HrYo88HyY84xaC2YQeNUy_MAj-AO5Cs-QZAi9U4qTOWgwkw/s4032/20220522_121428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPHYK91hbQ320mgC5o6u914_WIYD36cpFxayEl61C-YLVe3Z55_QFPgbjqEPLTd1eCGResccH_EnbRvE-2nXe1cz_eISXiSu6-eUmHJpxOoa5LbEM8G2oPfzjnPNJOUvN-RHskkjLCm-HrYo88HyY84xaC2YQeNUy_MAj-AO5Cs-QZAi9U4qTOWgwkw/w480-h640/20220522_121428.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Time out for a Vasey’s Trillium characteristically hiding beneath its broad leaves</div><br />Without apology, Black Mountain Trail is all about the mountain bikers. The terrain is awful for hikers, huge deep ditches of red dirt and steep curves, worrying that someone is going to come careening down on you. Sharing trails is the right thing to do, but for hikers it’s just a link to other hiker trails.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiApvslg0dwChRhYUqA3T5k5fRqNKckHfjxyjKpYv_X_YB5WRpGbEzpWwJSE8NmlIP4G5xhN5IOeq3yP6xtXBo7RV4Ni2e-qPeZclumkXiyXggzRe1NlxZkSby53WeVNJ_HcxaK1ZDW6WseJaTBzTRjDf5xF1-ZaDgnZAtlW3OIrMgH_fmLdW-QuBNw/s4032/20220522_123402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiApvslg0dwChRhYUqA3T5k5fRqNKckHfjxyjKpYv_X_YB5WRpGbEzpWwJSE8NmlIP4G5xhN5IOeq3yP6xtXBo7RV4Ni2e-qPeZclumkXiyXggzRe1NlxZkSby53WeVNJ_HcxaK1ZDW6WseJaTBzTRjDf5xF1-ZaDgnZAtlW3OIrMgH_fmLdW-QuBNw/w480-h640/20220522_123402.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I was relieved to reach Club Gap. Rather than two trails crossing, this is the intersection of four different trails. Some clever folks carved logs with the trail names so there is no mistaking which is which. Brilliant idea and masterful execution.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnTeYTaxGDYmMtcWKvyk-oQvUpQfRXc3BsmBHvDrH6167k6JGVB4QWX7IyHbv-jVyAmDOZJ1th2NLY_tE6LWV3lE8pxPrZHHMFlZ_c5KVQ4AObtqIeGAa9bXcQqBGJzhCRmQJ5qP9svfBf_8njKjFQJxxk7fI9X4S9U1amf5Lrzu2_SNtf5ZycRjHGQ/s4032/20220522_123846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnTeYTaxGDYmMtcWKvyk-oQvUpQfRXc3BsmBHvDrH6167k6JGVB4QWX7IyHbv-jVyAmDOZJ1th2NLY_tE6LWV3lE8pxPrZHHMFlZ_c5KVQ4AObtqIeGAa9bXcQqBGJzhCRmQJ5qP9svfBf_8njKjFQJxxk7fI9X4S9U1amf5Lrzu2_SNtf5ZycRjHGQ/w480-h640/20220522_123846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My trail is this-a-way</div><br />The first couple of miles of Avery Creek Trail is a lot like Black Mountain Trail (but less traffic), lots of deep ditches and curves and a steep descent.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGrIRjaKGbo0ZKSuitexj5d03gBEO4TS027D08ByYVgirATU1TSb8Hro77T7BRuRYNA5H6TxrnSyt5HkOd98KDbgmMrwBdv6V34ju56ffh3lLC1MjZlDruDQf7Z7zhgzJyTuR9yo06tWFMH_63mdkjTFDJnYIHc8AsYnlrfi5cgUmxXBc2wkkIFO4RQ/s4032/20220522_124736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGrIRjaKGbo0ZKSuitexj5d03gBEO4TS027D08ByYVgirATU1TSb8Hro77T7BRuRYNA5H6TxrnSyt5HkOd98KDbgmMrwBdv6V34ju56ffh3lLC1MjZlDruDQf7Z7zhgzJyTuR9yo06tWFMH_63mdkjTFDJnYIHc8AsYnlrfi5cgUmxXBc2wkkIFO4RQ/w640-h480/20220522_124736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A ramp made from rock slabs that a better athlete than I would ride a bike over</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4OZpw2bwRI4PEyQ8OAhA3std1AhrI7UiV9OdoyQJno3vADL0wSy3trqlu6qffDEoZJZ5WjywqVGdodQKGPhthvMfBhOzQPOdGhZHUwDI67mY1ch2ZvCf-xAVkJ1pY_FnetJFayIm0YiXdYjN-kZj0AOQ8UdeYI6eno21O6qBYt12HvMu5D2dj36_fA/s4032/20220522_130050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4OZpw2bwRI4PEyQ8OAhA3std1AhrI7UiV9OdoyQJno3vADL0wSy3trqlu6qffDEoZJZ5WjywqVGdodQKGPhthvMfBhOzQPOdGhZHUwDI67mY1ch2ZvCf-xAVkJ1pY_FnetJFayIm0YiXdYjN-kZj0AOQ8UdeYI6eno21O6qBYt12HvMu5D2dj36_fA/w480-h640/20220522_130050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">About halfway down, the grade lessened and the trail narrowed to a more conventional<br /> hiking trail following Avery Creek</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTxB8jq6r7HcXN6XTrA4JCysO2kKPWR-5ChSKz-ynaLhjtH3BVe4srC-RrCaQkvi_OcQla-BcOjL2UgxLj1mFsY6rOnlImeqCW1EjB-xcoj-fb3Y1qZ3QmpvV_G73R9EL9GqJKmAOmN0Z0U7AowtKmVrYs9Xb-5n1tX8wWL82zhofBNAnSSGYw9MYfA/s2908/20220522_124253.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="2064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTxB8jq6r7HcXN6XTrA4JCysO2kKPWR-5ChSKz-ynaLhjtH3BVe4srC-RrCaQkvi_OcQla-BcOjL2UgxLj1mFsY6rOnlImeqCW1EjB-xcoj-fb3Y1qZ3QmpvV_G73R9EL9GqJKmAOmN0Z0U7AowtKmVrYs9Xb-5n1tX8wWL82zhofBNAnSSGYw9MYfA/w454-h640/20220522_124253.1.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Multiflora rose (nonnative)</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjbLJ9bf8t84WSNwIGf559jYmHCD99HKF3LK8CJ3IsYzuD_CrPdh_pYavchorRoUHHGpR9ua-3ZDKOfK1wp-xDzP1kjhtiNi1-JcDVEVUcalGdJi0ZYNZR0Eskn6lnjOQTPwDN_qnJH-1QGBM3ZDQGXmHCEGbK4jR15mMkjczkHeg7sMWmh1osle4oA/s4032/20220522_135009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjbLJ9bf8t84WSNwIGf559jYmHCD99HKF3LK8CJ3IsYzuD_CrPdh_pYavchorRoUHHGpR9ua-3ZDKOfK1wp-xDzP1kjhtiNi1-JcDVEVUcalGdJi0ZYNZR0Eskn6lnjOQTPwDN_qnJH-1QGBM3ZDQGXmHCEGbK4jR15mMkjczkHeg7sMWmh1osle4oA/w480-h640/20220522_135009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mountain laurel</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXT-LifzW3p8izinL2ewG_8rDddoflmf-WwwRko1sVY5EssenfWD1lCF81XA6BZIvCa8IEeYmjGFzd35iYFsScX-G14sHsY2Lzl17BXahn9lt-SWG1XhE2QnMh8RlNyg7mIK6KPzxNMgIeEUhfFJp4xjPvIKayxv_8YsweJ3qkgjimeskYfoJCT3Z5Q/s3542/20220522_141552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3542" data-original-width="2266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXT-LifzW3p8izinL2ewG_8rDddoflmf-WwwRko1sVY5EssenfWD1lCF81XA6BZIvCa8IEeYmjGFzd35iYFsScX-G14sHsY2Lzl17BXahn9lt-SWG1XhE2QnMh8RlNyg7mIK6KPzxNMgIeEUhfFJp4xjPvIKayxv_8YsweJ3qkgjimeskYfoJCT3Z5Q/w410-h640/20220522_141552.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Galax</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6pmasj4DXY1AQBNClTLP6BN04JFUFDJRuAHc5cHBMTvMzURGRltKK2Tai9UwK7aYLr2rm83ADhgfdXNJZ3w8UC1aVsOp0ZaTDMNb1ytI53uoX7rnF_reUnjhiTzMuIdvwxcCOUH3ckkuzT_J40v37EzrWlW5-3E2WurkPodnnpPizqxJMPjWP6g10w/s4032/20220522_131043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6pmasj4DXY1AQBNClTLP6BN04JFUFDJRuAHc5cHBMTvMzURGRltKK2Tai9UwK7aYLr2rm83ADhgfdXNJZ3w8UC1aVsOp0ZaTDMNb1ytI53uoX7rnF_reUnjhiTzMuIdvwxcCOUH3ckkuzT_J40v37EzrWlW5-3E2WurkPodnnpPizqxJMPjWP6g10w/w480-h640/20220522_131043.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The only view today</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW0pRHGX-ERkKRUgARrRXp9JAmSN8czZHr5MpnsTO-m4SigQTa-UznqIQMHrn5Q-VA1-86u1tPjjXGzE4eSjjGcIH1SDX59BBGEkSNgszPYWrq-WNnGUx0nXSExbYX1o357b5nibFUREyGwiA_W8YfCvWd168WH6pwxcpSJUAgUzPIsJaOlcEpkpZ1Q/s1851/20220522_135633.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1851" data-original-width="1434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW0pRHGX-ERkKRUgARrRXp9JAmSN8czZHr5MpnsTO-m4SigQTa-UznqIQMHrn5Q-VA1-86u1tPjjXGzE4eSjjGcIH1SDX59BBGEkSNgszPYWrq-WNnGUx0nXSExbYX1o357b5nibFUREyGwiA_W8YfCvWd168WH6pwxcpSJUAgUzPIsJaOlcEpkpZ1Q/w496-h640/20220522_135633.1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yellow tufted wood sorrel </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDIcZ4dGSY438h2bLbl_5vbmBJZk4mHFlA4zT-avqEONa0rSyIythOsckpWtXlvuxk4MwP6wCAk0i5ToHEloHHMOHBPCXvTa45yRnO-XXm9pm3UQZDZpCBVPCE3YUTbuOJoXvNjuSyWJIV2DrXfWYCJarY3YNt5sJkztuQ1qW8IfO3ipLEupv9WhiCg/s4032/20220522_135133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDIcZ4dGSY438h2bLbl_5vbmBJZk4mHFlA4zT-avqEONa0rSyIythOsckpWtXlvuxk4MwP6wCAk0i5ToHEloHHMOHBPCXvTa45yRnO-XXm9pm3UQZDZpCBVPCE3YUTbuOJoXvNjuSyWJIV2DrXfWYCJarY3YNt5sJkztuQ1qW8IfO3ipLEupv9WhiCg/w480-h640/20220522_135133.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recent human trail rebuilding</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbJxfTR_LwCO141bydsPiOaFAo_F6DvnzJgBomBwOuN4O-Vps--804I99hV7Qq2gH7rKWNc-t7mgCw5iimeUXHiOfrggVFkT90ZD1Sz7JtV0Ie_NBip-PBGEyJyhA3oAKfg12wOqW5yTI-s2GqHCMsUGBiibcDQXg9sRzPQ4y8V1b3Gp1t__uruqpMg/s4032/20220522_135157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbJxfTR_LwCO141bydsPiOaFAo_F6DvnzJgBomBwOuN4O-Vps--804I99hV7Qq2gH7rKWNc-t7mgCw5iimeUXHiOfrggVFkT90ZD1Sz7JtV0Ie_NBip-PBGEyJyhA3oAKfg12wOqW5yTI-s2GqHCMsUGBiibcDQXg9sRzPQ4y8V1b3Gp1t__uruqpMg/w480-h640/20220522_135157.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm87VmkMisidalgtYBnv-CnSnbzYXjcbmIRF9-llsIWV2J-_Q4sR-IO5NAOCYIRXhJPPoIz8d05zIlXq3OXNg_9qdTzuLxRfFAZD-_tmi_cgJBR2eAmKPqMXX4m2kI8ydI9KAkGctpTdDQhZuGUFnuTBPACx3hbwv4qctDFMBcX9xLTBhHSduL2acgQ/s4032/20220522_135309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm87VmkMisidalgtYBnv-CnSnbzYXjcbmIRF9-llsIWV2J-_Q4sR-IO5NAOCYIRXhJPPoIz8d05zIlXq3OXNg_9qdTzuLxRfFAZD-_tmi_cgJBR2eAmKPqMXX4m2kI8ydI9KAkGctpTdDQhZuGUFnuTBPACx3hbwv4qctDFMBcX9xLTBhHSduL2acgQ/w480-h640/20220522_135309.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Beaver work</span></div><p>Once again I entered the tangle of Buckhorn Gap Trail and Avery Creek Trail, crisscrossing Avery Creek on piles of debris and rudimentary bridges. I passed Avery Creek Falls (accessible from the Avery Creek Trail side, in case you ever go looking for it). I ventured most of the way to the water’s edge, stopping short of the bottom because of slippery rocks. A beautiful moment to exhale.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG_Um216Ale-XFBc4_XCteUhGI_8dZtkOUepPsezdMaieMkkQ2NJ2AA38KGddLpO_Z6Oq7I2JgfvfRU_mjM4H4Q9uRF72NrcszksTgQ2tovGPFPVqJE87rNltvbY6gNNNxpVQsvw3mmjx_ekmwIEMk-8gFu1aYP0teayvQoD3nGFCXH09514PIlYvFw/s4032/20220522_141158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG_Um216Ale-XFBc4_XCteUhGI_8dZtkOUepPsezdMaieMkkQ2NJ2AA38KGddLpO_Z6Oq7I2JgfvfRU_mjM4H4Q9uRF72NrcszksTgQ2tovGPFPVqJE87rNltvbY6gNNNxpVQsvw3mmjx_ekmwIEMk-8gFu1aYP0teayvQoD3nGFCXH09514PIlYvFw/w480-h640/20220522_141158.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Avery Creek Falls (photo taken from the main trail)</div><br />My final crossing of Avery Creek (hallelujah!), a big log crossing with no handrail. The water was about calf deep and no rocks, clear water, so I just waded it rather than try my balance on the log. Very refreshing! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B-5JGvK600PiGiKXTpGGpEd5N5Thf9pXjbo5JGVNbjkA2E1D4eUAkJd7021fxb_fE2CvdxU0Z1s_RJ3029gd6ceYqUUTS2KjuGuSKe8kMzr7g5U0zp85cFb7iVcgvf74ni5qGJoZ5oF8PrqcoZcEYsVKIcApnCcpy5ceYJcjudlbKf8OpRsImraWqQ/s4032/20220522_142108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B-5JGvK600PiGiKXTpGGpEd5N5Thf9pXjbo5JGVNbjkA2E1D4eUAkJd7021fxb_fE2CvdxU0Z1s_RJ3029gd6ceYqUUTS2KjuGuSKe8kMzr7g5U0zp85cFb7iVcgvf74ni5qGJoZ5oF8PrqcoZcEYsVKIcApnCcpy5ceYJcjudlbKf8OpRsImraWqQ/w480-h640/20220522_142108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Sometimes the hike is about meeting nature and sometimes it’s about meeting people on the trail. Today was both.<br /><br />The drive home was okay with my music turned up loud. I was ready for a shower, pizza, and cider, in that order. Jim was feeling a little better after a quiet, restful day alone. We both agreed that life needs to jump start soon.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnuNvJbG0n3a14VtxFuK-cuj3jbCgv97Cg6di6CEHADp1cCujtH7Xko5QDsvPCAKRZs_mmMjcDEVEuOthfKeKOSu9KLtFH4_G9iCuVff2FGtwh2uXsBnlBaRRnf6pHafCV4mnsFeLnSPd6eR18fDmJoq0htPmLbOBrVBhoVilnFon4T4oJL7EA2gjmA/s4032/20220522_142729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnuNvJbG0n3a14VtxFuK-cuj3jbCgv97Cg6di6CEHADp1cCujtH7Xko5QDsvPCAKRZs_mmMjcDEVEuOthfKeKOSu9KLtFH4_G9iCuVff2FGtwh2uXsBnlBaRRnf6pHafCV4mnsFeLnSPd6eR18fDmJoq0htPmLbOBrVBhoVilnFon4T4oJL7EA2gjmA/w480-h640/20220522_142729.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Hike your own hike.” ~Everyone</i></span></p><div><br /></div>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-85043412281571243682023-03-21T14:44:00.001-04:002023-03-21T14:44:25.912-04:00Pisgah 400: Long Branch Trail to McCall Family Cemetery<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: Long Branch Cemetery Loop – 10.4 miles – 3/26/22</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5B2g_X3R2R5R9m4DxRtMmMAsNtc9gZMyhUhnnj-QKT-I-9muIQSx7bEm013iN6DuU5QsG6mznEWZ-sfbY4g9fCvvkAs6AtLSy4lXMzcdy6CUiGKvFXhiNXlzBber41R43m-BjlWa8rhEgwGS26KL1dhlHVrOaDkMnGG3j9hKdMjaf9tbDnm9-Drjig/s4032/20220326_093033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5B2g_X3R2R5R9m4DxRtMmMAsNtc9gZMyhUhnnj-QKT-I-9muIQSx7bEm013iN6DuU5QsG6mznEWZ-sfbY4g9fCvvkAs6AtLSy4lXMzcdy6CUiGKvFXhiNXlzBber41R43m-BjlWa8rhEgwGS26KL1dhlHVrOaDkMnGG3j9hKdMjaf9tbDnm9-Drjig/w640-h480/20220326_093033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Waterfalls, cemeteries, mountain bikers and a surprise encounter: another great day in Pisgah National Forest. <br /><br />I’m still checking off all the trails of the <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/24/page/Pisgah-400"><span style="color: red;">Pisgah 400 Challenge</span></a>. About half of my miles today were on trail, half on the still-closed FR 475. I expected the forest to be busy on a Saturday and it sure was.<br /><br />I hiked a clockwise loop with a couple of side trails, starting from the Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education (commonly known as the fish hatchery). I followed Cat Gap Loop Trail to Butter Gap Trail. <i>[Like many trails in Pisgah, both are wide and worn down from lots of boot prints, which enables water erosion. Trail maintainers work hard to keep up with these well-loved trails.]</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUds2_f2ftQ5sODkG9PyBMYfk5KkV5vi5hpv3GewbU9iPugYMs992t5F7xIX-JPX6TlY500O_uSl3ohtnSs4CqeLpbvQT51AZAxhd_oPjxoZjooSXFR0ng6FOINjBYzihRiNTYeEuKpHiJDvMwhGFTJnkG3XZUNw-MsvHZztqPy6VKodjZZ4B_Oxz_Zg/s4032/20220326_130932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUds2_f2ftQ5sODkG9PyBMYfk5KkV5vi5hpv3GewbU9iPugYMs992t5F7xIX-JPX6TlY500O_uSl3ohtnSs4CqeLpbvQT51AZAxhd_oPjxoZjooSXFR0ng6FOINjBYzihRiNTYeEuKpHiJDvMwhGFTJnkG3XZUNw-MsvHZztqPy6VKodjZZ4B_Oxz_Zg/w640-h480/20220326_130932.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcrRXycbRdAMBdb2MEGIHz5ZxlCU2mWzIkILIT0PVWyAs_BC8rlVedQKhzRJjP8JNFiUh9yo6Gc3MGlYUpJAiIO7ngE_ZWGgWaE8PstxH7QRv8VesBjzfwI0bikUOvV6KNQ_2qC-cx0y_z8el4dmNCnT8c3XTT3HsZU5oMcGpEE52MySk_H8DzdRyyA/s4032/20220326_090043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcrRXycbRdAMBdb2MEGIHz5ZxlCU2mWzIkILIT0PVWyAs_BC8rlVedQKhzRJjP8JNFiUh9yo6Gc3MGlYUpJAiIO7ngE_ZWGgWaE8PstxH7QRv8VesBjzfwI0bikUOvV6KNQ_2qC-cx0y_z8el4dmNCnT8c3XTT3HsZU5oMcGpEE52MySk_H8DzdRyyA/w480-h640/20220326_090043.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN7OaLxmOXhqPzgVgckg86xbR1iCScvWhU12dH-zlmJga2125AYRfMj8hxRz8C1rU8SdqSni2-a3rgtJAIhsGrj4Ctjvj_7SbFjwkoSP2y0_uepl1LFFQaTYMgC5Jl2C3Pw9gPHdnX6tzmH-0XD2LlAppwiHkaHv11uSkbsVzN6shJOPBcEKl3C3GoA/s4032/20220326_091003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN7OaLxmOXhqPzgVgckg86xbR1iCScvWhU12dH-zlmJga2125AYRfMj8hxRz8C1rU8SdqSni2-a3rgtJAIhsGrj4Ctjvj_7SbFjwkoSP2y0_uepl1LFFQaTYMgC5Jl2C3Pw9gPHdnX6tzmH-0XD2LlAppwiHkaHv11uSkbsVzN6shJOPBcEKl3C3GoA/w480-h640/20220326_091003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I passed the intersection with Long Branch Trail and continued up to Grogan Creek Falls, a favorite because of its close proximity to the trail.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCiF7hOXQCXQJ9b7nwWVcOmsSfGai9PKnyOaDlf8dAnCGEz8n0boQ1NUKkgKfwsKGlwIFTnXvXL2O-4col2QniVry2I4Bj4q0eBEGTKSiLhslcxDRlseF3jJsQhQsyQCKJxC87554euaQS3E8pNqfoSC5rdQtLsLL1PnA7TgrNwpfz3sA9wX9PBEWhQ/s4032/20220326_092934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCiF7hOXQCXQJ9b7nwWVcOmsSfGai9PKnyOaDlf8dAnCGEz8n0boQ1NUKkgKfwsKGlwIFTnXvXL2O-4col2QniVry2I4Bj4q0eBEGTKSiLhslcxDRlseF3jJsQhQsyQCKJxC87554euaQS3E8pNqfoSC5rdQtLsLL1PnA7TgrNwpfz3sA9wX9PBEWhQ/w480-h640/20220326_092934.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grogan Creek Falls looking lovely in the morning light</div><br />Back to Long Branch, a trail of many personalities, mountain bike banks, open fields, gnarly rhododendron, and much more.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NsxpewwARtmlJtw8xCTvsSYRXR8Vnl23Et3xMR4DbSCaenG-Pyxxot0tW-HKOuVuuCMK6qS2h0bKqj9APNmKOg_LDaNZJL5dd1L0vnR1MdaU9PRRXlEzHxqNo9UhgjzhXkP_QuGi80IA0PXakp4b3ZCdZxscLeJ-zFOZI5CWz0a-vpxkXxh7ndvmEw/s4032/20220326_094406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NsxpewwARtmlJtw8xCTvsSYRXR8Vnl23Et3xMR4DbSCaenG-Pyxxot0tW-HKOuVuuCMK6qS2h0bKqj9APNmKOg_LDaNZJL5dd1L0vnR1MdaU9PRRXlEzHxqNo9UhgjzhXkP_QuGi80IA0PXakp4b3ZCdZxscLeJ-zFOZI5CWz0a-vpxkXxh7ndvmEw/w480-h640/20220326_094406.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Csl6JCLM8Sh3yRR4LKUC-dTUxy4OZUo77uYFMn80cKvSA73wWfz1gCMOLGqZcRwWc0cIyCPA-CBxvl0TlBLHmqGFnPiis0TCiYdUTmDuHwHfN3SYogW9xZplNnwg1dSOor2rXYV4sNcABKdAWmx922e_3U4rwKN9i7ozGrdIu5QJloWS7zBc2f7LQ/s4032/20220326_100405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Csl6JCLM8Sh3yRR4LKUC-dTUxy4OZUo77uYFMn80cKvSA73wWfz1gCMOLGqZcRwWc0cIyCPA-CBxvl0TlBLHmqGFnPiis0TCiYdUTmDuHwHfN3SYogW9xZplNnwg1dSOor2rXYV4sNcABKdAWmx922e_3U4rwKN9i7ozGrdIu5QJloWS7zBc2f7LQ/w480-h640/20220326_100405.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZzezQcA2kLJkjBgCGoEk1mASyuB2fLuxVMVCPmXOpLuBLod5M58oxIEgZ-xymBDYmTSexBSUw3EjtXD0z0jddFyI8vwIZ7OHPeO9OAbqUKSwd9LX1uobPdIZC0E3yF8wiOt6Rf4UvGZwewplMcndUlt6gbS8B9sEwabT2__pUoMT36YIq7GYGANY6w/s4032/20220326_100918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZzezQcA2kLJkjBgCGoEk1mASyuB2fLuxVMVCPmXOpLuBLod5M58oxIEgZ-xymBDYmTSexBSUw3EjtXD0z0jddFyI8vwIZ7OHPeO9OAbqUKSwd9LX1uobPdIZC0E3yF8wiOt6Rf4UvGZwewplMcndUlt6gbS8B9sEwabT2__pUoMT36YIq7GYGANY6w/w480-h640/20220326_100918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_Okv4RtGRZreIIlr_7SJkQ0NNIsvuQ1wmRhAZnh4OzgosYTj5kKKOLC9SkISnT6bS5FCJ7-Be5_g1GxqXCQ5WXA0pRTpPBcocOCSAaJH9Je1FlJ2tYOXr6RycvRNKhEBni6qOOV9PQOv3jbJbF8S27SA0hm8qRKJVpAfurScWDjyTMqOh2tISrzLqA/s4032/20220326_101531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_Okv4RtGRZreIIlr_7SJkQ0NNIsvuQ1wmRhAZnh4OzgosYTj5kKKOLC9SkISnT6bS5FCJ7-Be5_g1GxqXCQ5WXA0pRTpPBcocOCSAaJH9Je1FlJ2tYOXr6RycvRNKhEBni6qOOV9PQOv3jbJbF8S27SA0hm8qRKJVpAfurScWDjyTMqOh2tISrzLqA/w480-h640/20220326_101531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa_AZhUXAEHfBbheEIuRhH4Agxt9He6OA80m8poAStRmHMClLcTxUXdXaMlRmb3YwJjnVT4HOFOCVmmY_ulF-GlXcHT4qg3j_96Ws9gI5wQEO4e1WBzLBbVIKZV3n7bUkC4VjpGJhSa4xr5LPOq_YFy9Pn8upKMhSJrwLhnwaNklMceDfdl1CMxOpVQ/s4032/20220326_103818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa_AZhUXAEHfBbheEIuRhH4Agxt9He6OA80m8poAStRmHMClLcTxUXdXaMlRmb3YwJjnVT4HOFOCVmmY_ulF-GlXcHT4qg3j_96Ws9gI5wQEO4e1WBzLBbVIKZV3n7bUkC4VjpGJhSa4xr5LPOq_YFy9Pn8upKMhSJrwLhnwaNklMceDfdl1CMxOpVQ/w480-h640/20220326_103818.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPH5iF-PZ4d0hF4iSh6TjG3dBu7Mzn57Dpoqr4o-TgrJNg-YhBLnxWp0ADLDuLJl3HQ_m6s7dz9hK8a6biciQ5vqPcNmiW0o3QhJkh1swjooaoi3RSJwXX-rJjN98We7Q3dB-pHaVNyk_9bwPYHi1wknu-Y2zReYjTnRRvRoVt-9VxHQpdZXO5YEdWw/s4032/20220326_095139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPH5iF-PZ4d0hF4iSh6TjG3dBu7Mzn57Dpoqr4o-TgrJNg-YhBLnxWp0ADLDuLJl3HQ_m6s7dz9hK8a6biciQ5vqPcNmiW0o3QhJkh1swjooaoi3RSJwXX-rJjN98We7Q3dB-pHaVNyk_9bwPYHi1wknu-Y2zReYjTnRRvRoVt-9VxHQpdZXO5YEdWw/w480-h640/20220326_095139.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who’s been a-scratchin’ here?</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCnEDdiinFk3f1vCVK0u_xrMuPT4bkoiQlJCwMDHnUUwfQ__Yst6atzGFBboT0Sv5tOKkFZM5wmTzndUZbLIHHELY5mbxoRUpZERIf9YwgzGc0eyWMDGCmcGHddzEFPYd3coL0ZEIpJy914StvDufYvpXALtxhyB0G5ydQFy5nqV9-WmfvKbpG7bNgw/s3791/20220326_102017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3791" data-original-width="3009" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCnEDdiinFk3f1vCVK0u_xrMuPT4bkoiQlJCwMDHnUUwfQ__Yst6atzGFBboT0Sv5tOKkFZM5wmTzndUZbLIHHELY5mbxoRUpZERIf9YwgzGc0eyWMDGCmcGHddzEFPYd3coL0ZEIpJy914StvDufYvpXALtxhyB0G5ydQFy5nqV9-WmfvKbpG7bNgw/w508-h640/20220326_102017.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A view of Looking Glass Rock before spring leaves emerge</div><br />One of my primary goals today was checking out the McCall Family Cemetery. Pioneer Samuel McCall and his wife Eleanor settled in this area in the 1790’s. Samuel and Eleanor are not buried here, but many of their descendants and extended family are, as well as other families from the area. Most graves are prior to 1900. Some markers have worn remarkably well, while some graves have simple rough stones with no markings. <i>[<a href="http://www.dmarlin.com/pastprologue/blog/mccall/"><span style="color: red;">This website</span></a> has more details and excellent photos.]</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZLddvWE2Y7FrUgJ0SGWnV_4abnd4F5vIyOKFfecW8UC5cOqlzdUKPJ8She13hkl3MTmByg2Trqrt3axHiZTJ4aLk8RfNcyEnKOxsSp3AsYbdtdLp1a6IxHO6kK1zoga1nr4-IgyI9sRArS0gpx0vhFNynDBbDwOX2uCF7586aqX8mqO9QNmnMVvVw/s4032/20220326_104118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZLddvWE2Y7FrUgJ0SGWnV_4abnd4F5vIyOKFfecW8UC5cOqlzdUKPJ8She13hkl3MTmByg2Trqrt3axHiZTJ4aLk8RfNcyEnKOxsSp3AsYbdtdLp1a6IxHO6kK1zoga1nr4-IgyI9sRArS0gpx0vhFNynDBbDwOX2uCF7586aqX8mqO9QNmnMVvVw/w480-h640/20220326_104118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn1jX7CkQqLwLF199_hFj0kGcF24mR2GdJMP8XeAqd6hES-Zt1_rCieG3eHy4gPHJ7nV0a_5LIozZiZiJ3DS6x4b7hh6c59AxNj27iHDnZghYlwXXetzlneeLw11-g1VyAEIS1dbNIjtABxKhB27-0cVbcdcBxxYQihVF8A8kVD0eB1kxhK_hgLKEWQ/s4032/20220326_105025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn1jX7CkQqLwLF199_hFj0kGcF24mR2GdJMP8XeAqd6hES-Zt1_rCieG3eHy4gPHJ7nV0a_5LIozZiZiJ3DS6x4b7hh6c59AxNj27iHDnZghYlwXXetzlneeLw11-g1VyAEIS1dbNIjtABxKhB27-0cVbcdcBxxYQihVF8A8kVD0eB1kxhK_hgLKEWQ/w640-h480/20220326_105025.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK1qqmGCQ8MKoPn1F9fECup73Glb0OOb8pj5LdaglgV5KFfNTyQeDYJ-LWD8ptGUaIxoARcM-uujvNB5s4VvWXEXNd_dnFixyS_b8PyvYRvelnXub6PMl-NCuYp2SRN-FzAG-xRc97OeqnRy-7jUqh5ZI0FKc2_xp_5WvDVC98xOIdevUmH7TVQNj6A/s2553/20220326_104612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2553" data-original-width="2068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK1qqmGCQ8MKoPn1F9fECup73Glb0OOb8pj5LdaglgV5KFfNTyQeDYJ-LWD8ptGUaIxoARcM-uujvNB5s4VvWXEXNd_dnFixyS_b8PyvYRvelnXub6PMl-NCuYp2SRN-FzAG-xRc97OeqnRy-7jUqh5ZI0FKc2_xp_5WvDVC98xOIdevUmH7TVQNj6A/w518-h640/20220326_104612.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Robert McCall, Jr (one of Samuel and Eleanor’s sons)</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_8TvoGBjfSH_QlCsm1JApoH8zrmrSMv4olFdcpK99EJUlCdEovpg1H759azRh5nMc0tUOCZ4R_Y5JoDH-tCPl6RFg7RnhXu1BHLYYNocz_FmfM0JngloNGrNcEHTx3XN8ecT_kM266P7Fho94ssxoZ4yElY071fS1EehKW--fvaT_637oC0lhzQPoA/s3236/20220326_104632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3236" data-original-width="2410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_8TvoGBjfSH_QlCsm1JApoH8zrmrSMv4olFdcpK99EJUlCdEovpg1H759azRh5nMc0tUOCZ4R_Y5JoDH-tCPl6RFg7RnhXu1BHLYYNocz_FmfM0JngloNGrNcEHTx3XN8ecT_kM266P7Fho94ssxoZ4yElY071fS1EehKW--fvaT_637oC0lhzQPoA/w476-h640/20220326_104632.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel McCall, Robert’s wife</div><p></p><p>I walked a short distance past the cemetery on the old roadbed of McCall Cemetery Road, then decided to turn around and go back to Long Branch Trail to continue my loop. At a campsite with a large rock fire ring, I took a lunch break – a very quiet spot, no birdsong, no wind, just a peaceful silence that maybe Samuel and Eleanor enjoyed once upon a time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Ma6AvNuykV-qXT4MmoBiy9qRzMgrTxLsZ-fFSUbYiM7CEizAJoWMZdkl1acDIW1HZpjrNtzXFDxKpodAVdu79wqnzUrq7eBWFkKlxAmlXeaTpXSWxoNb4ZPr6rPFWEGx0D_fFs5I4fdELvaq37ezw9lv9psQGPiFUfzcoFKH9CPvUMh6sZd4ctLSQ/s4032/20220326_112732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Ma6AvNuykV-qXT4MmoBiy9qRzMgrTxLsZ-fFSUbYiM7CEizAJoWMZdkl1acDIW1HZpjrNtzXFDxKpodAVdu79wqnzUrq7eBWFkKlxAmlXeaTpXSWxoNb4ZPr6rPFWEGx0D_fFs5I4fdELvaq37ezw9lv9psQGPiFUfzcoFKH9CPvUMh6sZd4ctLSQ/w480-h640/20220326_112732.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Long Branch Trail continued for about a mile further to its intersection with FR 475, where I began the tedious 4.5-mile road walk back to the fish hatchery. <i>[This was one of those times I greatly appreciated my GAIA GPS to check my progress along the route.]</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlA4hgGgJqCdDrEMpXQJZ4h5-HtlP-BXENL3ng52C2Kr_JK5l0_6v0ppiRlVIpoFHkAznSZjEkllxwS_TP-X0oVMNkJ7iz2smZo-z03nJIXO36lw0220lVqic91ekQQjXQUP4QilvUMpSI5GwzTIk5C84iWVLufe_Cxg4Df5_m77clMjrxdklA8yh1g/s4032/20220326_114350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlA4hgGgJqCdDrEMpXQJZ4h5-HtlP-BXENL3ng52C2Kr_JK5l0_6v0ppiRlVIpoFHkAznSZjEkllxwS_TP-X0oVMNkJ7iz2smZo-z03nJIXO36lw0220lVqic91ekQQjXQUP4QilvUMpSI5GwzTIk5C84iWVLufe_Cxg4Df5_m77clMjrxdklA8yh1g/w480-h640/20220326_114350.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaxRD4i7bYPM_e0XCQEXyKIsygxEo8YJ17-ESKUSGka3ykFNWFs_QfgEH1cKqJ1XY3w6S1VaJiRbVwlJkKbxcoNRN89ngdKdS5lB_6uat9w8d_ANYFMYQsq6P3SM6ILFGmwQNwiZcgltzRUcDbakg1SofCB1hBvlOimwF-ysbIbQI0ZxTX9Ifo-L7UA/s1259/20220326_114656.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1259" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaxRD4i7bYPM_e0XCQEXyKIsygxEo8YJ17-ESKUSGka3ykFNWFs_QfgEH1cKqJ1XY3w6S1VaJiRbVwlJkKbxcoNRN89ngdKdS5lB_6uat9w8d_ANYFMYQsq6P3SM6ILFGmwQNwiZcgltzRUcDbakg1SofCB1hBvlOimwF-ysbIbQI0ZxTX9Ifo-L7UA/w640-h544/20220326_114656.1.jpg" width="640" /></a>Met a constant stream of mountain bikers coming up FR 475 eagerly anticipating<br /> their swift descents on various trails</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FYDfuhLCKLxPWtNm-ROBzhl-ZYkUTcRZxBGcEyMQxeyT-Ovjl4ITMp9wrBK3-EvvRAqryPRqrpm_67GoiWXx0YhoL_mqIzrVvVsdYmfmZpkCs3_vRYxzKTzqM3S7Gr7XqPYtLxKv4wt8Xn_lnFtmkSgT83oVOXxp2JufQ1QT4f5B6w5ntV1h4k9qkg/s4032/20220326_115210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FYDfuhLCKLxPWtNm-ROBzhl-ZYkUTcRZxBGcEyMQxeyT-Ovjl4ITMp9wrBK3-EvvRAqryPRqrpm_67GoiWXx0YhoL_mqIzrVvVsdYmfmZpkCs3_vRYxzKTzqM3S7Gr7XqPYtLxKv4wt8Xn_lnFtmkSgT83oVOXxp2JufQ1QT4f5B6w5ntV1h4k9qkg/w480-h640/20220326_115210.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This washout is one of the reasons FR 475 is closed to vehicles</div><br />So…waterfalls, cemeteries, mountain bikers…what about that surprise encounter?<br /><br />As I was hustling down boring ol’ FR 475, I passed a young couple going up, and they asked if we were on Daniel Ridge Trail. I said no, and we consulted the map to see where they wanted to be. We walked together back to where they had started, I showed them their trailhead, and they went on their way. Suddenly I heard a voice, "Hi Sharon!"<br /><br />A delightful surprise! It was an old friend who I haven't talked to in several years. We caught up on families and hiking, and my heart was warmed by the "chance" meeting in the woods.<br /><br />A spiritual mentor once told me, “I believe in coincidences, I’ve just never seen one.” I feel that Spirit moved that couple to ask me (out of all the other hikers and mountain bikers out there) for directions and led me to my friend. Happens all the time if you're open to it.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7ILTpeoXRmVr2BDhbvYOo6fvzDk0xZa8t45C_M_LwWSSrMAN_4D_ahpUeHdzStOTlnq_9jGGm3Pro1SBAB3IvXapqXIuAr3d7H8h9mYWgY5NxE6ior_4LU5xpTzAeY8uLhYqlzkKRPE9Xkme34OaNkgajt751ozBCNn9M7xpga7QhFsQVxgKhjwuow/s1920/Screenshot_20230321-105825_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7ILTpeoXRmVr2BDhbvYOo6fvzDk0xZa8t45C_M_LwWSSrMAN_4D_ahpUeHdzStOTlnq_9jGGm3Pro1SBAB3IvXapqXIuAr3d7H8h9mYWgY5NxE6ior_4LU5xpTzAeY8uLhYqlzkKRPE9Xkme34OaNkgajt751ozBCNn9M7xpga7QhFsQVxgKhjwuow/w640-h360/Screenshot_20230321-105825_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Every moment is a golden one for him who has<br /> the vision to recognize it as such.”<br /> ~Henry Miller</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-46377298128320536622023-03-07T15:27:00.000-05:002023-03-07T15:27:05.490-05:00Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge – 3/17/22 – 11 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u297EiV8eynmwmz2ZDegUPc91BL5SRaZe-vvuAXcAjPyasUtWdSSuDjv6u91rUwYxUX4ajGkFX-1uMirhxN57f73cTk3sou4H6DvMdCVy5DgcYqlI9qczTgvqPnI4ChmVWp9nISXuaW-NNNrk_-9VSMl6hIt6Z7HOrJuY-i5_ejTZnZEfzbYMhE6ZQ/s2578/20220317_091633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="2578" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u297EiV8eynmwmz2ZDegUPc91BL5SRaZe-vvuAXcAjPyasUtWdSSuDjv6u91rUwYxUX4ajGkFX-1uMirhxN57f73cTk3sou4H6DvMdCVy5DgcYqlI9qczTgvqPnI4ChmVWp9nISXuaW-NNNrk_-9VSMl6hIt6Z7HOrJuY-i5_ejTZnZEfzbYMhE6ZQ/w640-h440/20220317_091633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>“Would you like to see an egret rookery today?” my hiking buddy Carol asked me one morning over coffee. Well, the only answer to that is, “Of course!”<br /><br />Carol lives on the South Carolina coast, a l-o-n-g way from the mountains where we’ve had many rambling adventures. As an outdoor enthusiast no matter what the location, she’s found the gems of protected public lands near her home. On a spring visit, she introduced me to <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/pinckney-island"><span style="color: red;">Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge</span></a>. <br /><br />Pinckney Island NWR is a collection of back-barrier islands squeezed between Hilton Head Island and Bluffton on the South Carolina mainland, managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It is bordered by the Broad River to the north, Skull Creek to the east and Mackay Creek to the west and south. <i>[Trail guide <a href="https://www.fws.gov/media/trail-map-pinckney-island-nwrpdf"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.]</i> <br /><br />From the website: “Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important link in the chain of wildlife refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, attracting thousands of migratory birds annually. The refuge also provides nesting habitat, called a rookery, for colonial wading birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAnbqKn0frwCcTy0ZHbsl3GqCOROjglpec27m84CnKNoOBhQBZ2JTrmfA0A4H57rugCYaSJEfDDT3Onlajt8xeYR7OQhDHd_bze-xJ6kzIbEFC0-Wp0iLlaRQ3yeU2CSTVIoRJdRFUW1ODmh2oywW931Vbc6IzWW_DP5b4_P5hjiP9kqYNeF1MiZdhw/s1247/Screenshot_20230303-145024_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAnbqKn0frwCcTy0ZHbsl3GqCOROjglpec27m84CnKNoOBhQBZ2JTrmfA0A4H57rugCYaSJEfDDT3Onlajt8xeYR7OQhDHd_bze-xJ6kzIbEFC0-Wp0iLlaRQ3yeU2CSTVIoRJdRFUW1ODmh2oywW931Vbc6IzWW_DP5b4_P5hjiP9kqYNeF1MiZdhw/w546-h640/Screenshot_20230303-145024_Gaia%20GPS.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><p>I will spare the turn-by-turn route description and just say that Carol devised an 11-mile hike from the parking lot to White Point at the far end of Pinckney Neck and little diversions in between.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk8IaxNvz-gumqgsi7qrnc3TLv0D3SC2sjC7mg2xHmkWGn3427AlelOyifdvSrz2vZpDwq_gQFNyQZn6VrTbUaDVoPw7veKIER_w96K_FMcSnsrWJdLsX44NxavL1fbzPWlACeyoY4IngGBTDKLvhY2LSjKlxMNn5G90K8zp7Z_I19nrLSspTyt21lQ/s4032/20220317_091804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk8IaxNvz-gumqgsi7qrnc3TLv0D3SC2sjC7mg2xHmkWGn3427AlelOyifdvSrz2vZpDwq_gQFNyQZn6VrTbUaDVoPw7veKIER_w96K_FMcSnsrWJdLsX44NxavL1fbzPWlACeyoY4IngGBTDKLvhY2LSjKlxMNn5G90K8zp7Z_I19nrLSspTyt21lQ/w640-h480/20220317_091804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Main Road</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxbUGxX4KUKzZYqxupbtR25tU-tpHJanhtO6-aZ9kGHjwpK0MOC_0sOChrGvm8yD3RW-1GoNC0RkVMi_KriM0SyFASCpyv6b01Y4D4JdYQVFgx3h2vtkhLSXyyXgn1qJZVhsMODcjN9gZrOXiBERl7LPQPU0PTFaf4UkDM6Y-YewssY7TFRlmyWnT3Q/s3093/20220317_093832.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3093" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxbUGxX4KUKzZYqxupbtR25tU-tpHJanhtO6-aZ9kGHjwpK0MOC_0sOChrGvm8yD3RW-1GoNC0RkVMi_KriM0SyFASCpyv6b01Y4D4JdYQVFgx3h2vtkhLSXyyXgn1qJZVhsMODcjN9gZrOXiBERl7LPQPU0PTFaf4UkDM6Y-YewssY7TFRlmyWnT3Q/w640-h626/20220317_093832.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rookery at Ibis Pond</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBg3ZNsMcRQGOQoLK-xtyWP6DzHlRfq232JcEBOuZ8IykAzZ-MIUl3dzqB8t4tavmNpGdAgb2q_gGVW59iHmrbk7AU0D1BQsyZnAeM006yNRxCOCaDPW0q8qmeaZgDKV54uZRfttmiIZRBiMFNbO0wtMiut3Q-BCx7YnmQnUVg6bKDEZJHiMHGOcIqQ/s4032/20220317_093712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBg3ZNsMcRQGOQoLK-xtyWP6DzHlRfq232JcEBOuZ8IykAzZ-MIUl3dzqB8t4tavmNpGdAgb2q_gGVW59iHmrbk7AU0D1BQsyZnAeM006yNRxCOCaDPW0q8qmeaZgDKV54uZRfttmiIZRBiMFNbO0wtMiut3Q-BCx7YnmQnUVg6bKDEZJHiMHGOcIqQ/w640-h480/20220317_093712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Egrets in residence</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62CuWweLD8dD_3zR4eNxP8q_VV4Yogslvm8pOgJoidLEJ7K-ceTSGSJRiAiufjiT3EWXpGQ-5kjibQzVgT5KDTdQUMJs_NeiESEhsUbq7bSRg6QKPlrpEpbW83ltWfuwJHi7_kiS3mTiEcEPmyAk_BakHdcdtYN7woDxGTbV_DBe4lGblAvR-8I98lA/s4032/20220317_093129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62CuWweLD8dD_3zR4eNxP8q_VV4Yogslvm8pOgJoidLEJ7K-ceTSGSJRiAiufjiT3EWXpGQ-5kjibQzVgT5KDTdQUMJs_NeiESEhsUbq7bSRg6QKPlrpEpbW83ltWfuwJHi7_kiS3mTiEcEPmyAk_BakHdcdtYN7woDxGTbV_DBe4lGblAvR-8I98lA/w640-h480/20220317_093129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tavp3tF0gc2iknZy9t8iZOc4Jqb39PDZ422lnQ3PvOkw9fdM2LSMU4YquFoUWXHJJxG28OKmFUiXACPpGKjGg4xTX0kBxJ0lE7AwXPlPvNqDt2c_rh_3eYzdLqaGrWr_NsBN8qmmnl0ZajBpgKNonLtNaUGV5bqGD4RiX8uSVFG4nI6K_iuUXb2OTA/s4032/20220317_095450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tavp3tF0gc2iknZy9t8iZOc4Jqb39PDZ422lnQ3PvOkw9fdM2LSMU4YquFoUWXHJJxG28OKmFUiXACPpGKjGg4xTX0kBxJ0lE7AwXPlPvNqDt2c_rh_3eYzdLqaGrWr_NsBN8qmmnl0ZajBpgKNonLtNaUGV5bqGD4RiX8uSVFG4nI6K_iuUXb2OTA/w480-h640/20220317_095450.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHPpo7WpN_duyoC1IJggdToMBVE0O-xKS3TfXJNXZ32nD6KwVN3IaRRWMAWrFFSXj7MeoHirtrCAxktfND6mk5ieEHnXbAfCYFNO7K3GeWLwu902wJm0z7NTZWtimYt__DwDI0KBtezKlzdxPCoPK_RTxXa_y8KQ1Z6Y0Ue6GTVWl4lX3I224VIarYQ/s4032/20220317_103833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHPpo7WpN_duyoC1IJggdToMBVE0O-xKS3TfXJNXZ32nD6KwVN3IaRRWMAWrFFSXj7MeoHirtrCAxktfND6mk5ieEHnXbAfCYFNO7K3GeWLwu902wJm0z7NTZWtimYt__DwDI0KBtezKlzdxPCoPK_RTxXa_y8KQ1Z6Y0Ue6GTVWl4lX3I224VIarYQ/w640-h480/20220317_103833.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Nina Chapin Pond</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawMGACXYo1y6RMLpQbt0SVOjzk-AJCbn9NntfISoOPR4k1Seh9NgsyLuXJ5Av4v44xZyYbX6GWJypuSi1b3vQunekXS4BHaGVS9qYrWG3CZiB71HPlDTptHlCzazY_2DW0aF6_YUSxqgboyycm5xQRQk3wqXx5NUY4VkpaULP2tRLdScV09ZVdlnUMw/s4032/20220317_112747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawMGACXYo1y6RMLpQbt0SVOjzk-AJCbn9NntfISoOPR4k1Seh9NgsyLuXJ5Av4v44xZyYbX6GWJypuSi1b3vQunekXS4BHaGVS9qYrWG3CZiB71HPlDTptHlCzazY_2DW0aF6_YUSxqgboyycm5xQRQk3wqXx5NUY4VkpaULP2tRLdScV09ZVdlnUMw/w480-h640/20220317_112747.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GdfnRGtLN3ffUfydYfgeIwj6z5toPTFUI064pcIaWC4PpdGjWmzwEl1ZoPy_zj3R5b5RAUMUiR_ggbwcqftMsDDbgVF46h89RviXkM3n_8cYB6MVyYvEvsATR6exEVr6nkrBRaGzC5oDqHyzNMz_CSJgDb8Yn-K1fPrZ5-JlFOr5e2gugjgDgV1dkg/s4032/20220317_113702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GdfnRGtLN3ffUfydYfgeIwj6z5toPTFUI064pcIaWC4PpdGjWmzwEl1ZoPy_zj3R5b5RAUMUiR_ggbwcqftMsDDbgVF46h89RviXkM3n_8cYB6MVyYvEvsATR6exEVr6nkrBRaGzC5oDqHyzNMz_CSJgDb8Yn-K1fPrZ5-JlFOr5e2gugjgDgV1dkg/w480-h640/20220317_113702.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Spanish moss</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXduTGuypGU7qSucz_DRtayd9RXQWWQ70AyORamP_udS4IBnEEwMgxeEqKCOrUvl6YxXIz02NwV9CyQvEHqG1J1R6DnirDa40tcuDujIaCWMqW4qalyk8iw0xbVIHMeYg_Jlq79v8_M4yTP3QSsYLlAttr6OOJiIyS9NnsJ6x058esy5K6kfcdASOeA/s2026/20220317_114525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2026" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXduTGuypGU7qSucz_DRtayd9RXQWWQ70AyORamP_udS4IBnEEwMgxeEqKCOrUvl6YxXIz02NwV9CyQvEHqG1J1R6DnirDa40tcuDujIaCWMqW4qalyk8iw0xbVIHMeYg_Jlq79v8_M4yTP3QSsYLlAttr6OOJiIyS9NnsJ6x058esy5K6kfcdASOeA/w640-h508/20220317_114525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch break </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jNErz3AQghdCnWQZFoLhyTGM_C6LwTQiVTsqN1rUr0mqhawGDiHoldBqVDFljwGD-z5rHGFel57SjQ_ra2Af4OtJqRrU6SC62-pQNzxRrNIt8ASI3wmwHNTTQaGdwtEL8V0s57caKY05nIOTcnJjJcetwDo4ai4zOyir5CHKY5-Z9yIEG_IX6oL8hA/s4032/20220317_122401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jNErz3AQghdCnWQZFoLhyTGM_C6LwTQiVTsqN1rUr0mqhawGDiHoldBqVDFljwGD-z5rHGFel57SjQ_ra2Af4OtJqRrU6SC62-pQNzxRrNIt8ASI3wmwHNTTQaGdwtEL8V0s57caKY05nIOTcnJjJcetwDo4ai4zOyir5CHKY5-Z9yIEG_IX6oL8hA/w640-h480/20220317_122401.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked out to White Point on the northern tip of the island</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25ueQsUsjsBA_SE1V16bVYZ0dssxdNz84Ev-Db-UKoHK2ugzv0GgVal06TuR--UDKKZl6BbM-NriV3ARZyDK0A0lDrCH0ryk4B-ImKMKtgb3-t9t5smTW709y1pceuCD4G7V_UU2eLEEF2pTZfMFfiZVJ10o69ubPM4LmGozyFA0sL7iYdojYjBKlHQ/s4032/20220317_124540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25ueQsUsjsBA_SE1V16bVYZ0dssxdNz84Ev-Db-UKoHK2ugzv0GgVal06TuR--UDKKZl6BbM-NriV3ARZyDK0A0lDrCH0ryk4B-ImKMKtgb3-t9t5smTW709y1pceuCD4G7V_UU2eLEEF2pTZfMFfiZVJ10o69ubPM4LmGozyFA0sL7iYdojYjBKlHQ/w640-h480/20220317_124540.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ol5v4MAcoxQoHpRcnkedjAA5VOT7eAA_mR0qy-e_21EVSyHRGxaoybkC-g1sFDFHL0ydeywT_SOr_Y__KBIXst4MXGCJOYQmRdyQ6g6EhJ6ZdftcvhGyrr8OpJ0seYZ9LcS--Up2okJdAprLz6kNdJurztG-y_F6SBwk5sOu3vBd2J9IgNZFQmn2mg/s4032/20220317_124921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ol5v4MAcoxQoHpRcnkedjAA5VOT7eAA_mR0qy-e_21EVSyHRGxaoybkC-g1sFDFHL0ydeywT_SOr_Y__KBIXst4MXGCJOYQmRdyQ6g6EhJ6ZdftcvhGyrr8OpJ0seYZ9LcS--Up2okJdAprLz6kNdJurztG-y_F6SBwk5sOu3vBd2J9IgNZFQmn2mg/w480-h640/20220317_124921.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Walking along Woodpecker Road</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnNw9bvDn3jmSu3D_2jNM7ffV1AZ01G7t56qGZSJ2VoyDMvwhgHLKh5oknjrIo-VtTeudU7c4B1pHkl3xxkVl_CdY1X8yA_ORJXbY65ND8xN1hApUMjBLibGwJWIkXHSIarwbfhmniA3wYUqaYM4VbploqGrKchh2V_mcazb2spPWC7ZM0IyJ6PtSuw/s4032/20220317_125926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnNw9bvDn3jmSu3D_2jNM7ffV1AZ01G7t56qGZSJ2VoyDMvwhgHLKh5oknjrIo-VtTeudU7c4B1pHkl3xxkVl_CdY1X8yA_ORJXbY65ND8xN1hApUMjBLibGwJWIkXHSIarwbfhmniA3wYUqaYM4VbploqGrKchh2V_mcazb2spPWC7ZM0IyJ6PtSuw/w640-h480/20220317_125926.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Mackay Creek</span></div><p>Of course, Pinckney Island was not always protected; in fact, it wasn’t always called Pinckney Island. It was known to indigenous peoples as Lookout Island prior to passing through several European hands to Charles Pinckney, whose name stuck. [<i>Read more <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinckney_Island_National_Wildlife_Refuge"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.] </i>While it is good to know that this ecosystem has been restored to its wild state, it is important to learn and acknowledge the human history and impact.<br /><br />Between the mid-1700s and mid-1800s there were three plantations on the island; In 1860 there were reported to be 349 enslaved Black people working to produce sea island cotton. <br /><br />From <a href="https://heritagelib.org/pinckneys-island#:~:text=Lookout%20Island%20as%20the%20Indians,Ellen%20Keyser%20Bruce%20in%201937.%22"><span style="color: red;">this website</span></a>: After the Civil War began, “former slaves continued to live on and farm the land. In 1862 the freed Blacks were being drafted for military service; five graves on the island have markers showing they served with the 21st Company, US Infantry.” <br /><br />Carol had gained general information on the location of the graves but we were not able to find them on our walk today.<i> [On a subsequent visit, she was successful.]<br /><br /></i>Near the conclusion of our hike, we met a woman walking with a loaded backpack, a grandmother training for an upcoming long section of the Appalachian Trail. She and Carol commiserated on the lack of elevation to prepare for the mountains. Good luck to her!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8uFFGg5987jlhWGzrw68x5lNvN37-C8s1-xufUK6FkuauY9GLzOdBmHYh3rrjYfOymcoDuO-BEDJJZpslEU8UXPUOmdidOHA0Puk_bxYN5Ygw0-5H0R91qmKRKbqLy904ld1RGXE9-Pig9siEzKW9YAJGEfGnSEPhwriW3Jh_bVpV-9Mx7sHhVmBHg/s2592/20220317_135517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8uFFGg5987jlhWGzrw68x5lNvN37-C8s1-xufUK6FkuauY9GLzOdBmHYh3rrjYfOymcoDuO-BEDJJZpslEU8UXPUOmdidOHA0Puk_bxYN5Ygw0-5H0R91qmKRKbqLy904ld1RGXE9-Pig9siEzKW9YAJGEfGnSEPhwriW3Jh_bVpV-9Mx7sHhVmBHg/w640-h480/20220317_135517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Thanks, Carol, for introducing me to Pinckney Island! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bobsKXci-rZkGnFj8szTfWYf1vpZV4-KQJrEpHW3-yYW21zUDo6EWx6fvn8ivpIcUnW23rkrlb8wvaAWr5cc-_sNEKSbRLqS_NEOFXaPMtgVNQtFSZGD1P4mKIhWEl9uwWXzu8ree7wTxCoNzHAxUsmFdKzP1LtgdlOYrK3bhkk4Nw6NyGbehD_nDw/s3600/20220317_140537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2793" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bobsKXci-rZkGnFj8szTfWYf1vpZV4-KQJrEpHW3-yYW21zUDo6EWx6fvn8ivpIcUnW23rkrlb8wvaAWr5cc-_sNEKSbRLqS_NEOFXaPMtgVNQtFSZGD1P4mKIhWEl9uwWXzu8ree7wTxCoNzHAxUsmFdKzP1LtgdlOYrK3bhkk4Nw6NyGbehD_nDw/w496-h640/20220317_140537.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of<br /> the earth are never alone or weary of life.”<br /> ~Rachel Carson</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-71733007833666306522023-02-15T19:46:00.001-05:002023-02-15T19:46:12.209-05:00Linville Falls: Hike to Daffodil Flats<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Linville Gorge: Hike to Daffodil Flats – 3/7/22 – 6 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-_hn-Pca7T-F4sq-4dAjT976U1yqygUvoPqa9YVzo1kKC9NT2sQwCEVJrWu_agaWB1V9ZmB6fmduf8R2uz8lohlqNgeCYgOrAG6e9YXdsmUkFT0pqBMbLKaB9SVqtrRsTU10PFLqkZ4lOPH8vxkZC2bIQwF-_867VrOTviZaiUxr3eJMC-xRxGdkLw/s4032/20220307_103609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-_hn-Pca7T-F4sq-4dAjT976U1yqygUvoPqa9YVzo1kKC9NT2sQwCEVJrWu_agaWB1V9ZmB6fmduf8R2uz8lohlqNgeCYgOrAG6e9YXdsmUkFT0pqBMbLKaB9SVqtrRsTU10PFLqkZ4lOPH8vxkZC2bIQwF-_867VrOTviZaiUxr3eJMC-xRxGdkLw/w640-h480/20220307_103609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>Research and navigation skills are essential when exploring Linville Gorge. This post is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to hiking to Daffodil Flats. Hike at your own risk!<br /><br /></i>Daffodil Flats, heard about it but had never been. Linville Gorge has kicked my butt enough times that I will only go with knowledgeable and trusted leaders. Fortunately, my hiking buddy Cathy volunteers with someone who knows it intimately as a trail and campsite maintainer.<br /><br />The story goes that there’s an old homesite at the bottom of Linville Gorge (where the Linville River flows). Someone planted daffodils there and they have spread in joyful abundance. In early spring this patch of the Gorge is carpeted in yellow blooms.<br /><br />On a promising spring morning, I rode with Cathy and her friend Julie along Kistler Memorial Highway on the western side of the Gorge. From the back seat, I can’t say how we got there, but we ended up at a connector trail to the Mountains-To-Sea Trail.<br /><br />About a half-mile westbound, where the MST takes a sharp left, another trail continued straight – no signage, but experienced Linville Gorge hikers know it as the Lead Mine Trail. Well, on this day it was marked with pink flagging tape, extensively rehabbed within the last few weeks, a wondrous thing to behold.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WEeZdgG3O664EH1-slMNT2sAiVSNYKKfxnhawIx3lr0IjJhEZ8nl0oEEfJpOMxxY_brweYV73GyNGzXA8T4Tf1qpUmePJyP_9P1J2cVdeighrbwzqzIri81suABvWw2fZEV7i_S7gphTLmmJrV0y3yd7GmGUVvCVBRxfrRPA2126EWExgpYgJy4pfA/s4032/20220307_094228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WEeZdgG3O664EH1-slMNT2sAiVSNYKKfxnhawIx3lr0IjJhEZ8nl0oEEfJpOMxxY_brweYV73GyNGzXA8T4Tf1qpUmePJyP_9P1J2cVdeighrbwzqzIri81suABvWw2fZEV7i_S7gphTLmmJrV0y3yd7GmGUVvCVBRxfrRPA2126EWExgpYgJy4pfA/w480-h640/20220307_094228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shortoff Mountain across the Gorge</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOlkwWHj79sxyZB9hsZpahxUnnigZLDMzaPrGFABiEa0Ht4JS5XB4E8OgH6-7Aw0KVRmdDJ-k-GajneIHlmyGy4xoW74mFix3eZm6RB54N9P30OM85hrO1K4HAzUcYMrdfsq8C0UAhKk7qgl5CqiZBITzJMBq1sZrxBN_kfhbs2lkIIE_FtbMPMBrpw/s4032/20220307_094503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOlkwWHj79sxyZB9hsZpahxUnnigZLDMzaPrGFABiEa0Ht4JS5XB4E8OgH6-7Aw0KVRmdDJ-k-GajneIHlmyGy4xoW74mFix3eZm6RB54N9P30OM85hrO1K4HAzUcYMrdfsq8C0UAhKk7qgl5CqiZBITzJMBq1sZrxBN_kfhbs2lkIIE_FtbMPMBrpw/w640-h480/20220307_094503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amazing skilled trail building</div><br />We rolled along this new Lead Mine Trail as it undulated in and out of coves on a fairly flat bench with moderate downhills – no more crazy up-and-down drainages. Its one steep section took us down to river level by an old home site, now an extensive camping area. At this point, Lead Mine Trail blends into Linville River Trail.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-m4UjlVEbJAxnpnMothabaUxEKKiSeSHPeOBEeBYAG9WTKZ-ZAwKFVNyw09aEAAFMloJHgGO0gTeG4iMw_KqU7kHrJn0WHMOmxW7KsDqKxXzqx1cNDmB9K8ERVg3b73p0owoSJO-6qmnUv21gc7XyI9pZaSdwiR0nmQMeb4eMgxBEbhg5AVgnqCb7A/s4032/20220307_101335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-m4UjlVEbJAxnpnMothabaUxEKKiSeSHPeOBEeBYAG9WTKZ-ZAwKFVNyw09aEAAFMloJHgGO0gTeG4iMw_KqU7kHrJn0WHMOmxW7KsDqKxXzqx1cNDmB9K8ERVg3b73p0owoSJO-6qmnUv21gc7XyI9pZaSdwiR0nmQMeb4eMgxBEbhg5AVgnqCb7A/w480-h640/20220307_101335.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Although it doesn’t have the extensive steep ups and downs, Linville River Trail is not tame. The path is extremely rugged with roots and large rocks that will trip a hiker who takes her eyes off her feet. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEGeYYz2pEH9TATFEFmE9d4q_udhKMhFfzICZF9uEvLO3kaoiJXawgkW1lJs0sNSPdZiWmqcPHtvY2tW4VjpNMzf5FxuBAi9eLa73yu-Tgk9oOWOfRyxXXctH2IROiHyGhvDAsSWbkTh3X2yPKZjTXqRyQ7kiKL4FKAW-hn23Hiko8ukfk06lhkv7GQ/s4032/20220307_101635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEGeYYz2pEH9TATFEFmE9d4q_udhKMhFfzICZF9uEvLO3kaoiJXawgkW1lJs0sNSPdZiWmqcPHtvY2tW4VjpNMzf5FxuBAi9eLa73yu-Tgk9oOWOfRyxXXctH2IROiHyGhvDAsSWbkTh3X2yPKZjTXqRyQ7kiKL4FKAW-hn23Hiko8ukfk06lhkv7GQ/w640-h480/20220307_101635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A mile upstream we reached the unmarked left turn to Daffodil Flats, its flashes of yellow visible through the tree trunks. The juxtaposition of simple domesticity in the rugged, raw Gorge is breathtaking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpdlzBNI5mp2IyOBTfUawWrMyQKdrDifAZ2jnhUG9zeZebJXjYyCBABX1UMBMCCf8qEgrLS9Q7FkZdBhUpA58CUS-q-S-ykpIjw13Qvx_VQdGQErNJIKTS5lPHGpVUvYUvSGX_Ph9tkjEP9uwWn9TmOGua0Gxd_Eh4jdJJfYQbpsukF9q0hVXMJFHNw/s4032/20220307_102850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpdlzBNI5mp2IyOBTfUawWrMyQKdrDifAZ2jnhUG9zeZebJXjYyCBABX1UMBMCCf8qEgrLS9Q7FkZdBhUpA58CUS-q-S-ykpIjw13Qvx_VQdGQErNJIKTS5lPHGpVUvYUvSGX_Ph9tkjEP9uwWn9TmOGua0Gxd_Eh4jdJJfYQbpsukF9q0hVXMJFHNw/w640-h480/20220307_102850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l3b62kQ3QV37IFTuu0bHFwJY_p9R7avzbmeyoNtVB1gANz_WxBDRndpfzO6TNi7UphG8GSRjpnkdpABRkr3crXTXvlogtUjSgX0Xw6V4HsJzeu2nByIFH7RvPeJQ9xI6k-fLbgOs7TjrmqwctGzxA1VxXIbW8VCKs3PDmWX_O8xFWF3VmojyZYFqWQ/s4032/20220307_103241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l3b62kQ3QV37IFTuu0bHFwJY_p9R7avzbmeyoNtVB1gANz_WxBDRndpfzO6TNi7UphG8GSRjpnkdpABRkr3crXTXvlogtUjSgX0Xw6V4HsJzeu2nByIFH7RvPeJQ9xI6k-fLbgOs7TjrmqwctGzxA1VxXIbW8VCKs3PDmWX_O8xFWF3VmojyZYFqWQ/w480-h640/20220307_103241.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8jVhypCiikCqJFNk-j7yXhxRQ5KlrHIW0dvPQcOXvBdDlnkqdt0u4uFnItnDzDoAzMVb-U658nVOKm4xbMy2G25L-6ZFviZ8eGvyq20OYnfLVUQOQM1RQ8K86pGhH2xpKUyjvqJKSm7NUwOL_aoWREWBaDOjgPEP3oDLjDbAHF7S-Y3qZzGzQT6wpg/s4032/20220307_103305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8jVhypCiikCqJFNk-j7yXhxRQ5KlrHIW0dvPQcOXvBdDlnkqdt0u4uFnItnDzDoAzMVb-U658nVOKm4xbMy2G25L-6ZFviZ8eGvyq20OYnfLVUQOQM1RQ8K86pGhH2xpKUyjvqJKSm7NUwOL_aoWREWBaDOjgPEP3oDLjDbAHF7S-Y3qZzGzQT6wpg/w480-h640/20220307_103305.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Remains of a stacked stone fireplace, I think<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE67cKqDXqREoNChQ-P0_VSZpW0WOA1WB1t6mwPoSXdghQegoNZjte0xzU54p8wf2_AcKYOjDx8P_gpyG3hXKl3fF63B0dRy1ObODRTqfGO9EM6GH98NHEl0m2PUXcq_jYQhZga71VpmVqVmdFm0YeYTEDietHnzK-mAatUgdss23dQ5MCLdM-OGzPDw/s4032/20220307_103633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE67cKqDXqREoNChQ-P0_VSZpW0WOA1WB1t6mwPoSXdghQegoNZjte0xzU54p8wf2_AcKYOjDx8P_gpyG3hXKl3fF63B0dRy1ObODRTqfGO9EM6GH98NHEl0m2PUXcq_jYQhZga71VpmVqVmdFm0YeYTEDietHnzK-mAatUgdss23dQ5MCLdM-OGzPDw/w480-h640/20220307_103633.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrxzeSspEe1NirNrZof7bQD9WEYOxwXBBgSZpyu4ptJ5KSaLLd6Xcvgvg1jBEO2ZNyREfKq3KZ5doogg6Lr5qONDMKxYEC6LYofvlGxMjoJ2oZpva48OKjR01ITzliBmRttgsCCv_WjlVuAr_iMWpwTl3qjNfgRKyftVVKO62oa-i0yJ3_H1KpWwLwA/s4032/20220307_103052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrxzeSspEe1NirNrZof7bQD9WEYOxwXBBgSZpyu4ptJ5KSaLLd6Xcvgvg1jBEO2ZNyREfKq3KZ5doogg6Lr5qONDMKxYEC6LYofvlGxMjoJ2oZpva48OKjR01ITzliBmRttgsCCv_WjlVuAr_iMWpwTl3qjNfgRKyftVVKO62oa-i0yJ3_H1KpWwLwA/w480-h640/20220307_103052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am not stepping on any daffodils in this photo</span></div><p>Only four other hikers were at the Flats when we arrived. We walked around quietly as if in a museum, talking softly and pointing and taking photos. Then…groups of people began streaming in so took our leave.<br /><br />We walked a little further up Linville River Trail to check on some fire rings that Cathy and Julie had cleaned out and/or dismantled in the past couple of weeks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIN1tOFw-3PRSdd0Y44u1WXB7P5ao478zV24Tmmcd-RjnfGjB2BG6Ky8uc3PqO5DhTp4WHodTd0L3djehjhpgPTVQxI4CVbg2n_EVwz3VGwkjRFD1kJ5NxLSwt2NuQw6w_J9Ni8eA5CCybFomHA6qyaeO0o2ABuSeNmao2HnRzi4Z4OIlC4VFx3jovWw/s4032/20220307_111652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIN1tOFw-3PRSdd0Y44u1WXB7P5ao478zV24Tmmcd-RjnfGjB2BG6Ky8uc3PqO5DhTp4WHodTd0L3djehjhpgPTVQxI4CVbg2n_EVwz3VGwkjRFD1kJ5NxLSwt2NuQw6w_J9Ni8eA5CCybFomHA6qyaeO0o2ABuSeNmao2HnRzi4Z4OIlC4VFx3jovWw/w480-h640/20220307_111652.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcskuQK6dtijxSvFhn8eH59uYibJT_X219oIZNw3-dnWTM2MQxRl_hldojQ8j9H_losYvH6Y1aLGgflwxQ5qmD9GlThRz4YiW1Qs9Y4YiuOXKTdiouNqe4fDN2NWz6avZNaxbEaql5OHtGo3AEMqcM-XeYnMNIhfykCu_TAdYIKFbXNDSMOQtcaPpfoA/s3000/20220307_121525.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="3000" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcskuQK6dtijxSvFhn8eH59uYibJT_X219oIZNw3-dnWTM2MQxRl_hldojQ8j9H_losYvH6Y1aLGgflwxQ5qmD9GlThRz4YiW1Qs9Y4YiuOXKTdiouNqe4fDN2NWz6avZNaxbEaql5OHtGo3AEMqcM-XeYnMNIhfykCu_TAdYIKFbXNDSMOQtcaPpfoA/w640-h580/20220307_121525.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>On our return hike, those moderate downhills had turned into uphills, manageable at the right pace. Overall, our hike was just under 6 miles. A safe hike in great company and back home by 3pm.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmHQr54-VxtJVsnocvSrkbZC-n53XvrKrjpBxwWaTvL_0f-AGNaXF_5k5GRwlo6Offg1GQNwjN1auVSQBPi88pevGToYHU_4dFKpq0z5-o_aROh5QzMFjQEaWMEo91F28BCw5hF_5RDldn6afIKW1vjTffdo3ew3A9jS6lwYv5zim6DKUO8d5cFmSZQ/s4032/20220307_103544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmHQr54-VxtJVsnocvSrkbZC-n53XvrKrjpBxwWaTvL_0f-AGNaXF_5k5GRwlo6Offg1GQNwjN1auVSQBPi88pevGToYHU_4dFKpq0z5-o_aROh5QzMFjQEaWMEo91F28BCw5hF_5RDldn6afIKW1vjTffdo3ew3A9jS6lwYv5zim6DKUO8d5cFmSZQ/w480-h640/20220307_103544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;">“The earth laughs in flowers.”</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: xx-large;"> ~Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-14773247440121514552023-02-08T11:55:00.001-05:002023-02-09T08:58:38.792-05:00Portugal: Cabo da Roca Hike in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Adventures in Portugal: Cabo da Roca Hike in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park<br /> 3 miles – 2/24/22</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h2BnlAkCzTgfvFflwAHz3Xj5C22jZ-YFGDO27Jd20G7oIB_3tCDsEfoDLwrviPwJ9e1Pa0K1KxFUa8xIOMvLiY9YPmZviwhkETtCdXB4Jj-NtMSmCSxlOEMolZ8FgI6wWdVu6lL4Wl61idnbtgLbiH2xuDlX4gWXQgiE1pN3vwW-ErPeW20Cm_tDdw/s4032/20220224_133646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h2BnlAkCzTgfvFflwAHz3Xj5C22jZ-YFGDO27Jd20G7oIB_3tCDsEfoDLwrviPwJ9e1Pa0K1KxFUa8xIOMvLiY9YPmZviwhkETtCdXB4Jj-NtMSmCSxlOEMolZ8FgI6wWdVu6lL4Wl61idnbtgLbiH2xuDlX4gWXQgiE1pN3vwW-ErPeW20Cm_tDdw/w640-h480/20220224_133646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If this were a full-blown travel blog, I’d have a lot to share about the epic nine days that Jim and I and our daughter Megan spent in Portugal. Since this is a hiking blog, I’ll just tell you about one day of wandering along the coast in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sintra-Cascais_Natural_Park "><span style="color: red;">Sintra-Cascais Natural Park</span></a>. <span></span><i>[Sure do wish I had seen <a href="https://visitsintra.travel/en/discover/active-sintra/land-sports/hiking"><span style="color: red;">this website</span></a> prior to our trip.] </i></div></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabo_da_Roca "><span style="color: red;">Cabo da Roca</span></a> is a rugged, unspoiled headland known as the westernmost point of mainland Europe. It was first designated as a protected area in 1981 as part of what became Sintra-Cascais Natural Park in 1994.</div><br />A lighthouse was first built here in 1772 and the building standing today dates from 1842. The lighthouse is not open to the public and there is lots of fencing to prohibit visitors from walking on the edges of the crumbling granite and limestone cliffs. We can attest to the relentless winds that can blow you off your feet!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37b0LQwdODv5cZaUgWQVisW7RbaCDk03gJ_sE1t6n6XA87qZmeyMNgcy2r2i1qTLOYVR6SB42vs3aEGhJvAC5TgQLTIUjB6gRkwDosswM15O9tkASGdW4M3GIUN4_9NgNTjRxx8oXh08G1BZwrdRTz9vnzDF3ywdhpe29K7Ux8pSQ5lOGvbjX1sCdbA/s2048/IMG-20220224-WA0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37b0LQwdODv5cZaUgWQVisW7RbaCDk03gJ_sE1t6n6XA87qZmeyMNgcy2r2i1qTLOYVR6SB42vs3aEGhJvAC5TgQLTIUjB6gRkwDosswM15O9tkASGdW4M3GIUN4_9NgNTjRxx8oXh08G1BZwrdRTz9vnzDF3ywdhpe29K7Ux8pSQ5lOGvbjX1sCdbA/w480-h640/IMG-20220224-WA0008.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMl8NsHIOJcYb1q6RGWQjvn5zKJHZTSXQS8q9XBa-3cbT7BiZU8nKsE62KLhfQ1S8d5itxLZKc9fDFI3pGkUp9yxcD2rxjX1kbC-MBnODauulwvzprVzwtaUXFPuBWSOUZclQfHFvj63_fSINGRqMm4Ve7IFMELW_SkE5rJhAYjdPL5in-HGJ972BFTQ/s4032/20220224_134403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMl8NsHIOJcYb1q6RGWQjvn5zKJHZTSXQS8q9XBa-3cbT7BiZU8nKsE62KLhfQ1S8d5itxLZKc9fDFI3pGkUp9yxcD2rxjX1kbC-MBnODauulwvzprVzwtaUXFPuBWSOUZclQfHFvj63_fSINGRqMm4Ve7IFMELW_SkE5rJhAYjdPL5in-HGJ972BFTQ/w480-h640/20220224_134403.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjT1e71Ry7TKidq2DCrJVq3E87XPUwGJieZHnY1_Dz07bAYn7OEyhtMLNE-Qy-aW0-cNnv6DC0DNlGpL5w96GDuRnwbbJ0wi82YzFMH7AywYJwKt15bLrKHYp_2piNIDpQ5V-UtnEAO2_CykUIf32Le2muDoo_a9r1bC2lY3NcwsYmxyQ66gBzrf7ew/s4032/20220224_141919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjT1e71Ry7TKidq2DCrJVq3E87XPUwGJieZHnY1_Dz07bAYn7OEyhtMLNE-Qy-aW0-cNnv6DC0DNlGpL5w96GDuRnwbbJ0wi82YzFMH7AywYJwKt15bLrKHYp_2piNIDpQ5V-UtnEAO2_CykUIf32Le2muDoo_a9r1bC2lY3NcwsYmxyQ66gBzrf7ew/w640-h480/20220224_141919.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">In my opinion, rather than closeups, the most dramatic views are of the lighthouse<br /> from a distance</span></div><p>Our “hike” was actually a ramble with no end point. Time made us turn around and head back to our car. Photos? Yes, please!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWT508_QSHS3r5iXzpPp5hbdw1A2l7fStv5w785OXGZU1neb4bb5Tca4Cw__olgL-tRYzyCb3b8x3SwNvectsWTVZYnUTSbzLcZ6rfhQ7pGlE9cIWNunQIRNMIRoMD2VzaR7XeT-PFAkvRL8UrevJeTZZyvw8sCOWOYYCSjZ9lA-gYhoFx4FMCs0hnQ/s4032/20220224_134620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWT508_QSHS3r5iXzpPp5hbdw1A2l7fStv5w785OXGZU1neb4bb5Tca4Cw__olgL-tRYzyCb3b8x3SwNvectsWTVZYnUTSbzLcZ6rfhQ7pGlE9cIWNunQIRNMIRoMD2VzaR7XeT-PFAkvRL8UrevJeTZZyvw8sCOWOYYCSjZ9lA-gYhoFx4FMCs0hnQ/w480-h640/20220224_134620.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caminho Atlantico, one of several long distance trails that pass through Sintra-Cascais<br /> Natural Park and continue along the coast</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LhBe7evRU_TQMyecr2No5KqEgN4y6-gIDgoxQq80mDz73lyNHYVfxXw7DE8w2AybLCK9diYKntl7cR6uYeCgxVUOtT-xoZIC-XEpbyvxH3VGz-0my-UhtcM2tj8xPpDg23CpHNTNR1Biua3axN1_c85a8CWYkdvGGhcr-QsmEVyCT1Ndwk6R4U18Eg/s1536/IMG-20220224-WA0007.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1536" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LhBe7evRU_TQMyecr2No5KqEgN4y6-gIDgoxQq80mDz73lyNHYVfxXw7DE8w2AybLCK9diYKntl7cR6uYeCgxVUOtT-xoZIC-XEpbyvxH3VGz-0my-UhtcM2tj8xPpDg23CpHNTNR1Biua3axN1_c85a8CWYkdvGGhcr-QsmEVyCT1Ndwk6R4U18Eg/w640-h612/IMG-20220224-WA0007.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYOxvIHlGUvVIpV16Lya0QxwNwv_HSttInHxcVBqP-1aeU11lRyA5jiXoVSqiqflAaL2qiQgjUXuX0oexzx3QYqt23MTTHf7hbK5dxCX9xB_VHlvvsSAxIB5MxEyIkQsdrd_BbIq9DU8LtVUnTH3RlTzvnfHt5r9aU65gArb2LnN47KGIkH5jkwmTVA/s4032/20220224_134813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYOxvIHlGUvVIpV16Lya0QxwNwv_HSttInHxcVBqP-1aeU11lRyA5jiXoVSqiqflAaL2qiQgjUXuX0oexzx3QYqt23MTTHf7hbK5dxCX9xB_VHlvvsSAxIB5MxEyIkQsdrd_BbIq9DU8LtVUnTH3RlTzvnfHt5r9aU65gArb2LnN47KGIkH5jkwmTVA/w480-h640/20220224_134813.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Paths intertwine across the headlands and it’s easy to follow the markers, but the side trails to viewpoints and the beaches were irresistible. Because of the openness of the land, it was easy to navigate just by sight.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AP3iMQKCW3NiwEot9CmwJomjedk7J0LcrUccLfbmmatrHTCDMjt2mUYB5JEaoUu7o_ICFLxQADtqz8w6slVtA3Winz8P_2s_4q0KsG__imOzD9ox9e4SCFc1rQdW-x3pSPLe8Mv1s-n4WsEbrNz16Z3rGodEVOWO7HEoYcwW2Am4uehKB9Paa46smw/s4032/20220224_135727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AP3iMQKCW3NiwEot9CmwJomjedk7J0LcrUccLfbmmatrHTCDMjt2mUYB5JEaoUu7o_ICFLxQADtqz8w6slVtA3Winz8P_2s_4q0KsG__imOzD9ox9e4SCFc1rQdW-x3pSPLe8Mv1s-n4WsEbrNz16Z3rGodEVOWO7HEoYcwW2Am4uehKB9Paa46smw/w640-h480/20220224_135727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite photos of Jim</div><br />What is this fascinating foliage blanketing the ground with colorful, fleshy leaves that feel like aloe? This is the Hottentot plant, native of South Africa, invasive here on the Portuguese coast. Other names are sour fig and ice plant. <i>Read all about Carpobrotus edulis <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpobrotus_edulis"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a>.</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz3PVEU9iY57xofA_cPnsVg1WbPuy0xlEkTyNJFIkIgnKY-6oZe8e0tI1GwFds8w0NePuD1cxLXRSQRY-t_IIrdXeG4dg2DOvtNgMVNJ4dn7-HcgcahIPCLuoLepC52K3qDmQrp_x9HI7IHTBFT8QMCA3Hk3xBFDqg8lDmrdMvFuzzAQLFOfI36U3Sw/s4032/20220224_142058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz3PVEU9iY57xofA_cPnsVg1WbPuy0xlEkTyNJFIkIgnKY-6oZe8e0tI1GwFds8w0NePuD1cxLXRSQRY-t_IIrdXeG4dg2DOvtNgMVNJ4dn7-HcgcahIPCLuoLepC52K3qDmQrp_x9HI7IHTBFT8QMCA3Hk3xBFDqg8lDmrdMvFuzzAQLFOfI36U3Sw/w480-h640/20220224_142058.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_vWsZOk51wxmZ-ghCy0-EcnfLLaILzOzXENMceY5QvFxuW_nL9YE34FgBA7qGtw3OKYVmZhzxh6nsUV8Mam_hdeq28ipXp3gxjdI7Sm3xjIQYjdo01JWXwT7yguBaf29QTESedJU5WgH4K0VX4rDcAo-j2QISggasEmB3UmMs62fu0wQoZNH5zTubw/s2049/20220224_134719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_vWsZOk51wxmZ-ghCy0-EcnfLLaILzOzXENMceY5QvFxuW_nL9YE34FgBA7qGtw3OKYVmZhzxh6nsUV8Mam_hdeq28ipXp3gxjdI7Sm3xjIQYjdo01JWXwT7yguBaf29QTESedJU5WgH4K0VX4rDcAo-j2QISggasEmB3UmMs62fu0wQoZNH5zTubw/w638-h640/20220224_134719.jpg" width="638" /></a>Hottentot bloom</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO7xPBbXD66f-1iui_aHz8ZHpH1RCLQtTZAIXcB4f0UMHs7z9_WJza2q10KLzM4FUt0Y0XY4gy8hCilvX-BDTQRDw_uBHKZDSV-RGWd5rxfNbVrSaKFgmBjs6EqhaQv6QTW9Lw4lyX2FNzSqp0sSO4EK2-vRyFjmRHpuv_2HZij5TpIEwL4UymaTngA/s4032/20220224_143401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO7xPBbXD66f-1iui_aHz8ZHpH1RCLQtTZAIXcB4f0UMHs7z9_WJza2q10KLzM4FUt0Y0XY4gy8hCilvX-BDTQRDw_uBHKZDSV-RGWd5rxfNbVrSaKFgmBjs6EqhaQv6QTW9Lw4lyX2FNzSqp0sSO4EK2-vRyFjmRHpuv_2HZij5TpIEwL4UymaTngA/w480-h640/20220224_143401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hottentot bloom</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCImWMA_srr3AsMTzP8gwRpKL0mPhXsEiS9lURuATdDwArqv0uTsfF0PBfqIO0DTYWrhcCV84QjqZmeGUMqECCuh8-khkwukUmE9OpjCuafCxItiJYQdZ2laSjLofnqeNBfpuckw7awu04UVvyqyMs95kJvEcw1RF1LVwZID6otcPeuqjvcD6Xb-a0Q/s4032/20220224_142032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCImWMA_srr3AsMTzP8gwRpKL0mPhXsEiS9lURuATdDwArqv0uTsfF0PBfqIO0DTYWrhcCV84QjqZmeGUMqECCuh8-khkwukUmE9OpjCuafCxItiJYQdZ2laSjLofnqeNBfpuckw7awu04UVvyqyMs95kJvEcw1RF1LVwZID6otcPeuqjvcD6Xb-a0Q/w640-h480/20220224_142032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Praia da Aroeira (praia means “beach”)</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-BaVJalJV9zC-j6eqCPaeVxSrFCbK1aG1QJCMSvZ59f7UbtVHGfZzysmAK7GPbQIV0hcrjoK5Oy90DrCJFIAsecCXZ_SV3RSy7wr_x6fm82DkKNTYKdLGC38AQ2u-aCyS_UwYuoA6WKzxZA1Bjq0-d2OaM1MkeWSjMfJrqqZRvXNwFhDftq9TU-5Lg/s2048/IMG-20220224-WA0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-BaVJalJV9zC-j6eqCPaeVxSrFCbK1aG1QJCMSvZ59f7UbtVHGfZzysmAK7GPbQIV0hcrjoK5Oy90DrCJFIAsecCXZ_SV3RSy7wr_x6fm82DkKNTYKdLGC38AQ2u-aCyS_UwYuoA6WKzxZA1Bjq0-d2OaM1MkeWSjMfJrqqZRvXNwFhDftq9TU-5Lg/w640-h480/IMG-20220224-WA0018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Megan looking down at Praia da Aroeira - the path down to the sand was steep with small rocks<br /> (scree) so we skipped the slippery descent and enjoyed the view from the cliffs</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQrBewUYggMxqMmaCZugOKiiVrllMaLnjPqUIxQI4W-og9DlOOiyc22CnsEOoFMff15eI77804hnRW5szZXeIS_1HbEY8-ieOlzIVCcY7my7hhav_m059axsaA_rJsVSDCYaq4IA-ifQsoN_wJJxPLuEWd_zgq2eW5Q7NyfSq3lBYroqoga7vHpDcMw/s4032/20220224_140442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQrBewUYggMxqMmaCZugOKiiVrllMaLnjPqUIxQI4W-og9DlOOiyc22CnsEOoFMff15eI77804hnRW5szZXeIS_1HbEY8-ieOlzIVCcY7my7hhav_m059axsaA_rJsVSDCYaq4IA-ifQsoN_wJJxPLuEWd_zgq2eW5Q7NyfSq3lBYroqoga7vHpDcMw/w640-h480/20220224_140442.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8jOHHRwwAf9_0CCef8xvYl_q61MV140bRdwGjeE2e68KcjWOKybGhUjdccZMGCZRMWGWBED3IR-N9KxyoM2Bw7BOISCtF6JZbNjfi-H4nUYf2BE_OvvBtTFxXr7037TBGKiUb8gSPJC5SDWGbxmadgbHU3mjmxC3AJgjR1zeIv-IQplsctG-peTn3Q/s4032/20220224_142740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8jOHHRwwAf9_0CCef8xvYl_q61MV140bRdwGjeE2e68KcjWOKybGhUjdccZMGCZRMWGWBED3IR-N9KxyoM2Bw7BOISCtF6JZbNjfi-H4nUYf2BE_OvvBtTFxXr7037TBGKiUb8gSPJC5SDWGbxmadgbHU3mjmxC3AJgjR1zeIv-IQplsctG-peTn3Q/w640-h480/20220224_142740.jpg" width="640" /></a>The trail beckons</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SD7EyS3ahvEpdtzyB6f8M4BIglvilAbiyeGE4UDfbBECuOPLBaoj-g9XW95wJo1nosc_6pCefPGmctW_7uQd7VzBWVM7FQWmysM_B8Qblf3pOZJBHqSnA-HGfawh2fWVclL69JHGh3w-0F9LSPoYT-ib4E3ZzfjNciHDuZcSCe7Vo4vibCIZhlOckA/s4032/20220224_144457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SD7EyS3ahvEpdtzyB6f8M4BIglvilAbiyeGE4UDfbBECuOPLBaoj-g9XW95wJo1nosc_6pCefPGmctW_7uQd7VzBWVM7FQWmysM_B8Qblf3pOZJBHqSnA-HGfawh2fWVclL69JHGh3w-0F9LSPoYT-ib4E3ZzfjNciHDuZcSCe7Vo4vibCIZhlOckA/w480-h640/20220224_144457.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Praia da Ursa, another breathtaking wild beach, but again we stuck to the clifftops</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-c7AqCgSBxlIMvj_IU-LpMr6lW12GZMQKizhJZ2EeBmFBS5t07TIzlaYpnL-9SLMWurOcUVbxLD7FE9doOrg5P5htSFdkryA4AGFrg2iZDyNjPYnoXlqBs7j0DO-yTHj0xMfmz1DtOOClqUVqiCLRdaYePSvR3clDBscZwYhpaU_8sv1K0FZqA9Fjw/s2048/IMG-20220224-WA0020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-c7AqCgSBxlIMvj_IU-LpMr6lW12GZMQKizhJZ2EeBmFBS5t07TIzlaYpnL-9SLMWurOcUVbxLD7FE9doOrg5P5htSFdkryA4AGFrg2iZDyNjPYnoXlqBs7j0DO-yTHj0xMfmz1DtOOClqUVqiCLRdaYePSvR3clDBscZwYhpaU_8sv1K0FZqA9Fjw/w640-h480/IMG-20220224-WA0020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>After Praia da Ursa, we turned around and meandered back by a slightly different route. We passed a grove of small trees where some hardy folks had pitched tents in the merciless wind. <br /><br />Nearing the lighthouse and civilization again, more and more people swarmed onto the cliff paths. As I often feel on trails near where I live, it’s good to see many people enjoying nature, but I was glad we were ahead of the crowd.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LMamqO3LKmmsPEptJDBhVz2CPAcgho0DGAP9pkjY3nC3jiRbd1uJYfR7VLN5psmc1uyeTJhoDd6NQUp9TFyYqYWGgToM1nurdYrcqlQvT6ClwhMz-MhiJozjSRjpffp6ednTeICCKISwBC7AoLGGsMQE4uJEW9dhVqgOTU-Qc6jeCA-cEM3EcuLBTA/s4032/20220224_150405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LMamqO3LKmmsPEptJDBhVz2CPAcgho0DGAP9pkjY3nC3jiRbd1uJYfR7VLN5psmc1uyeTJhoDd6NQUp9TFyYqYWGgToM1nurdYrcqlQvT6ClwhMz-MhiJozjSRjpffp6ednTeICCKISwBC7AoLGGsMQE4uJEW9dhVqgOTU-Qc6jeCA-cEM3EcuLBTA/w640-h480/20220224_150405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We spotted a guided hiking group across the way, ascending the trail like a row of ants</div><br />Our Airbnb home-away-from-home for the next two nights was in the small cliffside village of Azenhas do Mar. I’d stumbled upon it with no idea of its significant location – I just knew we would have a little ocean view with our wine and cheese (gifts from our hosts).<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislxsDwaBen30VwcJjT8niuc2ZqsmT4x1aZ3deiTkE8hRFTeUg_-4s22Mu1VNOgYKQbUV7aOvQv2rOSa_Ej3C3FpCl5OkE12Tf7zUrvzyMoGRBl1AFbyOIZWDkwRx5eZ4yVsDPSFdvv2iLGaGeDJehOzzR5XYATygD_NrXK4S4J9-q3kvk2kyJ0eEmlA/s4032/20220224_164548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislxsDwaBen30VwcJjT8niuc2ZqsmT4x1aZ3deiTkE8hRFTeUg_-4s22Mu1VNOgYKQbUV7aOvQv2rOSa_Ej3C3FpCl5OkE12Tf7zUrvzyMoGRBl1AFbyOIZWDkwRx5eZ4yVsDPSFdvv2iLGaGeDJehOzzR5XYATygD_NrXK4S4J9-q3kvk2kyJ0eEmlA/w480-h640/20220224_164548.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuUVAaDwti453R7YBC2oqIdQzb4jcQZyN0sl1ijMXkrD56PIDCPDeX22P6WUfHDR_tIUY8_VOsMpe9iKxqdddHsEcB2jNqynBzMbd--l8od8D2w48YWd6gbuNslsBSRaBJFFXqWVI9ghm4pxJFqM4eFtTNVMDnW-cip9LN8V9nSks7fvv0QiFMsujRw/s2874/20220225_100726.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="2874" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuUVAaDwti453R7YBC2oqIdQzb4jcQZyN0sl1ijMXkrD56PIDCPDeX22P6WUfHDR_tIUY8_VOsMpe9iKxqdddHsEcB2jNqynBzMbd--l8od8D2w48YWd6gbuNslsBSRaBJFFXqWVI9ghm4pxJFqM4eFtTNVMDnW-cip9LN8V9nSks7fvv0QiFMsujRw/s320/20220225_100726.1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Our place is in the center of the photo, three black windows (OMG!)<br />We made a vow to return every year</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wyLMw5pOSB034DJ4nnL-L60xOAKXjfm4CoyTuLUreuk_X4Xe908SWmBVSM2IwPviJysKucQDc-8MFoqxgX4Sm4LSooOoO5sL3AiRNwF8b97lEoSsu6p4H2poRIQqyMQxLJvtHHOImotAwWIAfNMmQgdLQjwwTW4nGQfUVzPRgRyfURDxnlm_2cUw8w/s2048/IMG-20220227-WA0042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wyLMw5pOSB034DJ4nnL-L60xOAKXjfm4CoyTuLUreuk_X4Xe908SWmBVSM2IwPviJysKucQDc-8MFoqxgX4Sm4LSooOoO5sL3AiRNwF8b97lEoSsu6p4H2poRIQqyMQxLJvtHHOImotAwWIAfNMmQgdLQjwwTW4nGQfUVzPRgRyfURDxnlm_2cUw8w/w480-h640/IMG-20220227-WA0042.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><i style="text-align: left;">Amazing Photo by Megan McCarthy</i></div><p></p><p><i>[Because you’re wondering “What else did they do in Portugal?” we flew into Lisbon, visited Evora, Coimbra, Nazare, Obidos, Azenhas do Mar, Sintra, ending with 2 nights in Lisbon. Mind blown!]</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW6y_PPmKATq92hQVRcP1IKrnDAIejbxQl3z5uTIiz-qAs_s_S7YJt66BTKErGzM9GpXVwW6gR0Fhd5U4Fc2Q-HHPubIywzgYoICqdCvErtGl-Jn1BJVoIKuD5opyrEtCR2kGruRauYvCgnKU97QP0tuU7w2WlEBU9nip4U6G7xHkDDSM4mBkEdCrPg/s4032/20220224_150137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW6y_PPmKATq92hQVRcP1IKrnDAIejbxQl3z5uTIiz-qAs_s_S7YJt66BTKErGzM9GpXVwW6gR0Fhd5U4Fc2Q-HHPubIywzgYoICqdCvErtGl-Jn1BJVoIKuD5opyrEtCR2kGruRauYvCgnKU97QP0tuU7w2WlEBU9nip4U6G7xHkDDSM4mBkEdCrPg/w480-h640/20220224_150137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel sure I will pass this way again</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“Wherever we want to go, we’ll go.”<br /> ~Captain Jack Sparrow</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-12216466835865835472022-12-08T12:53:00.000-05:002022-12-08T12:53:00.135-05:00Pisgah 400: Winter Ice On the Blue Ridge Parkway - Case Camp Ridge & Seniard Ridge Trail Loop<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Pisgah 400: Case Camp Ridge/BRP/Seniard Ridge Loop Hike – 2/9/22 – 7.5 Miles</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3OK7T6eA8HaWiuv8zFaBZW2jKWxpcgTaxDutOCIAofsEQzfkXtpDlZjjhSlHCTp_AG42h9fFDhK4AupYDFkS57N7IwSqU8ZnRaUv3AiST9a1lfEWVyWlFMjN4eyGUR3vxhvgu0VfCBhHfkPY24qVHfCYc_2K2PK_7bQ7kZXqZc0Pvvuf_hVZqGoItw/s3708/20220209_102058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3708" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3OK7T6eA8HaWiuv8zFaBZW2jKWxpcgTaxDutOCIAofsEQzfkXtpDlZjjhSlHCTp_AG42h9fFDhK4AupYDFkS57N7IwSqU8ZnRaUv3AiST9a1lfEWVyWlFMjN4eyGUR3vxhvgu0VfCBhHfkPY24qVHfCYc_2K2PK_7bQ7kZXqZc0Pvvuf_hVZqGoItw/w640-h404/20220209_102058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>When the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed to vehicular traffic, we bipedal thrill-seekers take advantage. Cyclists enjoy the road when it’s dry and clear and cross-country skiers rule when the white stuff accumulates. Hikers do both!<br /><br />I don’t hike alone in very cold temperatures (safety in numbers when hypothermia is possible) and I missed a couple of opportunities to do this winter hike with a group. I went out on a limb and asked my friend Nancy if she’d like to meet me for a mid-week hike. She asked if she could invite another friend – and that’s how I got to meet Anita. <br /><br />I left home in the dark (about 6:15 a.m.) for the unavoidable long drive to Pisgah National Forest. The mountains are where they are! We all showed up at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m., introduced ourselves, checked the current temperature (24 degrees) and took a “start photo.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwHhtlpNAceZYD3b0Rt0k5sxDZSPOLhaMccn40LRZA2EAGJ1O5ajBkS7OT1ngwp2qpDV_nSdp9-ne5uZhUXPt9LVnWHxmcX9jthL1gPTv50HALLHItTq7qfJkhI1mhCS1WSDV4INxx7Os3vKrFPanrbC5WcMfDuOVeSLUUEtc9aHVxekmbaP96OLDQ/s2175/20220209_092006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2175" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwHhtlpNAceZYD3b0Rt0k5sxDZSPOLhaMccn40LRZA2EAGJ1O5ajBkS7OT1ngwp2qpDV_nSdp9-ne5uZhUXPt9LVnWHxmcX9jthL1gPTv50HALLHItTq7qfJkhI1mhCS1WSDV4INxx7Os3vKrFPanrbC5WcMfDuOVeSLUUEtc9aHVxekmbaP96OLDQ/w640-h472/20220209_092006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>If you’re going in wintertime, check with the Pisgah Forest Ranger District to see if the gate to FR 475B is open. If they say it’s not, be prepared to add a couple of miles to your hike… or be pleasantly surprised like I was to find it open anyway.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkxoYnGGcFoTcsJMPdPmfOxviMqP-n234r3hHYZDJ9CW_Tz0pz4xVbg6upSy0Wng91WL-VL3q328h0mf9BnOb1bDdXyewfIQ0sAh3MNDEPu64pO7VgXZPf1m2jPTGzAB4VQPvJ4_Na4WaEtjrsvi5MT9Dj_mE_RtCyEo42cqsbiqhIodreD0cmh5zvA/s4032/20220209_092025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkxoYnGGcFoTcsJMPdPmfOxviMqP-n234r3hHYZDJ9CW_Tz0pz4xVbg6upSy0Wng91WL-VL3q328h0mf9BnOb1bDdXyewfIQ0sAh3MNDEPu64pO7VgXZPf1m2jPTGzAB4VQPvJ4_Na4WaEtjrsvi5MT9Dj_mE_RtCyEo42cqsbiqhIodreD0cmh5zvA/w480-h640/20220209_092025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Case Camp Ridge Trail is 1.5 miles of heart-thumping uphill, about 1,000 feet elevation gain. I suspect my friends hiked in a slightly lower gear to give me some grace and I pulled it off with only a couple of 30-second stops. Maybe I should have eaten the Clif bar that was in my pocket before I started the hike?<br /><br />On my last gasp, we reached the Blue Ridge Parkway and saw that the recent snow had melted from the pavement. We enjoyed walking the “yellow blaze” for 1.5 miles southbound. There were a couple of big blowdowns that had been cleared down to one lane, presumably to allow for park employees and rescue vehicles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuEnrhEhd6PiXlmXcQM8F9J9UfMn22bxD0n0GadyLmd9vA-345GKR-dxYDBQGuFaBkUDnQCxV3NaHWOJqg0pTndbY0q09icbbkBPAFV5C1M1uX0SzpmL-D2j1vvg5hMRRkFaIYKGHhfSqkdLzw-aPVTEzdBeAik-eVgQa1RMK0caO-bdRWddMyiuAGg/s4032/20220209_103308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuEnrhEhd6PiXlmXcQM8F9J9UfMn22bxD0n0GadyLmd9vA-345GKR-dxYDBQGuFaBkUDnQCxV3NaHWOJqg0pTndbY0q09icbbkBPAFV5C1M1uX0SzpmL-D2j1vvg5hMRRkFaIYKGHhfSqkdLzw-aPVTEzdBeAik-eVgQa1RMK0caO-bdRWddMyiuAGg/w480-h640/20220209_103308.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The real reason for hiking on the BRP in the winter - icicles! Most of the rock walls along this stretch are east-facing, exposed to the morning sun. Maybe that helped with the freeze-thaw cycle that created these impressive ice formations that can only be glimpsed as you whiz by in a car. Yet here we were, standing as in an art gallery, admiring nature’s sculptures – until pieces began falling off – yikes!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4Rwtk28w8u0mqbDKO67VnAz3bzwIpMLhUV71KKgWO7eMy42IHauf0Fk43Ui88xDwAS6OQ41jo_4E6gJMmKes5nk5UvakbYJhVzgWifKArupJEwbmVwA2G2RqwNzubmMux3jdvKNUiPZsAuGxLNw9H0ywY3FTF-VR8Qokn-8p35uYNQtWYbLltzE3uA/s4032/20220209_105102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4Rwtk28w8u0mqbDKO67VnAz3bzwIpMLhUV71KKgWO7eMy42IHauf0Fk43Ui88xDwAS6OQ41jo_4E6gJMmKes5nk5UvakbYJhVzgWifKArupJEwbmVwA2G2RqwNzubmMux3jdvKNUiPZsAuGxLNw9H0ywY3FTF-VR8Qokn-8p35uYNQtWYbLltzE3uA/w480-h640/20220209_105102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s3JCT7ZJotZbKClnIHADS4FPCYgpP7pKGmdOE3r9MO93XmGwUK4ZUfFdxG9N4cm6AsCCKBirJrTrRbgo0SnqVa1Ieh7oxV3pvJ-sifikU0JT6GWu1BN-jHQ5jtX_qnEUu_rG2nPnpRT1_HxeAM4VAHWksefK5mj6qJej8sxJzrtGSEPQdhQZ9uKTUA/s4032/20220209_105123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s3JCT7ZJotZbKClnIHADS4FPCYgpP7pKGmdOE3r9MO93XmGwUK4ZUfFdxG9N4cm6AsCCKBirJrTrRbgo0SnqVa1Ieh7oxV3pvJ-sifikU0JT6GWu1BN-jHQ5jtX_qnEUu_rG2nPnpRT1_HxeAM4VAHWksefK5mj6qJej8sxJzrtGSEPQdhQZ9uKTUA/w480-h640/20220209_105123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiXBHFy6eFIK9I8_eyJGtl8_GfnJLv9JOBvUVSXoz5ASNsVtad58UcwyNzSBrcovur47EHyoUaIX1qQeUIFlZqp56P_ni24z4aUxAfV9spew1hnkySCzCMJmZ6sz73OLkseKYBNxqA3CwNFGJJls_YjJ5JdyNQo8KjvnqXXDw1RBEtQr2aSqtkp472A/s4032/20220209_104642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiXBHFy6eFIK9I8_eyJGtl8_GfnJLv9JOBvUVSXoz5ASNsVtad58UcwyNzSBrcovur47EHyoUaIX1qQeUIFlZqp56P_ni24z4aUxAfV9spew1hnkySCzCMJmZ6sz73OLkseKYBNxqA3CwNFGJJls_YjJ5JdyNQo8KjvnqXXDw1RBEtQr2aSqtkp472A/w480-h640/20220209_104642.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrw3e-ZnaPGUrCGCCNlXFrgPQruU3B_yL8TBN4UQDYHQhifgriOBAbDCJpjAytfMJFZjOcz9M89a7bPMKnFJj1zHQiyTItEuxzCW1gx1mI5x0oP34Ib1zyYcrqYKnATTjjvtLWiMGwtF_wLwCXRLAITelJ6Fd9XVUxW3B0pfizofhF06jTlMBCYdnpg/s2348/20220209_103917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="2348" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrw3e-ZnaPGUrCGCCNlXFrgPQruU3B_yL8TBN4UQDYHQhifgriOBAbDCJpjAytfMJFZjOcz9M89a7bPMKnFJj1zHQiyTItEuxzCW1gx1mI5x0oP34Ib1zyYcrqYKnATTjjvtLWiMGwtF_wLwCXRLAITelJ6Fd9XVUxW3B0pfizofhF06jTlMBCYdnpg/w640-h506/20220209_103917.jpg" width="640" /></a>At Looking Glass Rock Overlook, the morning sun casts a blueish haze<br />Can you see the glistening ice on the rock face?<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5tg1lqiSdsK81edND1rNes2p-eF9JAFQ5wydC9MZtEf8x-2LAGK98gBaGrKN2CmUP0Pt0nGt7RfeWSeJPwD36KxH7unvqJqaESTa-vvk-W3My70z2c8mpWrE0jTLZK26nfY-Nljt3GSqvEDa72n_KzxECMteoBKLkGVpfLWuBcUPTLUu40vr_4393w/s4032/20220209_105519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5tg1lqiSdsK81edND1rNes2p-eF9JAFQ5wydC9MZtEf8x-2LAGK98gBaGrKN2CmUP0Pt0nGt7RfeWSeJPwD36KxH7unvqJqaESTa-vvk-W3My70z2c8mpWrE0jTLZK26nfY-Nljt3GSqvEDa72n_KzxECMteoBKLkGVpfLWuBcUPTLUu40vr_4393w/w480-h640/20220209_105519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Too busy talking, I almost missed the turn off the Parkway onto Seniard Ridge Trail. Nancy spotted it behind a guard rail <i>(Umm, do we need to turn here?)</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKSZ53apy2jqpfdw7lBF2WgrPst4joKmI3D_IXTH3_q-z88cLVbFTaBmM4G3Lx6mSVqsg_9lLMHXIG9lClzwNelHbbsJrnwYVgGsR2Kp9HxQkBsr_7uDzUHeKSmCkNXzyTIEsBiQ27RUVx9yo9P-e02osP0SKDQW0TwVjOpywfl0GBlfzeufINiO_MA/s4032/20220209_105556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKSZ53apy2jqpfdw7lBF2WgrPst4joKmI3D_IXTH3_q-z88cLVbFTaBmM4G3Lx6mSVqsg_9lLMHXIG9lClzwNelHbbsJrnwYVgGsR2Kp9HxQkBsr_7uDzUHeKSmCkNXzyTIEsBiQ27RUVx9yo9P-e02osP0SKDQW0TwVjOpywfl0GBlfzeufINiO_MA/w480-h640/20220209_105556.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>As steeply as Case Camp Ridge Trail lifted us up to the BRP, Seniard Ridge Trail switchbacked us back down before leveling out to a reasonable grade. Glad there was no snow or ice on the trail because my spikes were, of course, left behind at home. With plenty of breathing room, we kept up a steady conversation to match our hiking pace, comparing notes and stories of places we’ve hiked. Today was a social event, not an introspective, reverence-for-the-woods type of hike. Okay with me as I soaked up information and inspiration.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaGkMkE3dZ-OfiX59mCzef-STr5dFdWiR7cFU-88MUjgL9lGmwucKEGTGx6LGq15i12uC30qvsmoiJFUD8cN5PH0kzEQnCJ5BIGl3nk-Fy64zsaprXgRZZmFUUtXvucROLPCNYONbRcoyzn_z4zqQduYLt3sIFBlkVttwik7gSJU7iiIIJEgb-buffg/s4032/20220209_112712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaGkMkE3dZ-OfiX59mCzef-STr5dFdWiR7cFU-88MUjgL9lGmwucKEGTGx6LGq15i12uC30qvsmoiJFUD8cN5PH0kzEQnCJ5BIGl3nk-Fy64zsaprXgRZZmFUUtXvucROLPCNYONbRcoyzn_z4zqQduYLt3sIFBlkVttwik7gSJU7iiIIJEgb-buffg/w480-h640/20220209_112712.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsEevhyWAI4lo4gsKPOb1yOVUvxkquSaqVUl7QPW_qqfwDX2912J3ac2LxkJZmJzPEaVFXP85hMxP5IEeZpXucgDab1EkLtVbyR_xKw4gBcsVK7uwdPy2VftCuVnGca0Mh0A311qExsPIRzzinXYHo-SvIPM6Zn2JOb27pQoxMBZ6AywbzpuSpXSq8Q/s2623/20220209_115046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="2194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsEevhyWAI4lo4gsKPOb1yOVUvxkquSaqVUl7QPW_qqfwDX2912J3ac2LxkJZmJzPEaVFXP85hMxP5IEeZpXucgDab1EkLtVbyR_xKw4gBcsVK7uwdPy2VftCuVnGca0Mh0A311qExsPIRzzinXYHo-SvIPM6Zn2JOb27pQoxMBZ6AywbzpuSpXSq8Q/w536-h640/20220209_115046.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winter scene: Looking Glass Rock’s distinctive silhouette through bare branches</div><p>Seniard Ridge Trail crosses a couple of old forest roads, and my GAIA topo maps and NatGeo maps are dated and did not agree. Fortunately, my obsession with research turned up a hike report with screenshots to help me determine the proper route so I could keep my eyes open for a couple of waterfalls. <i>[Is that nerdy enough for you?] <br /><br /></i>The trail settled on FR 5043 and we crossed Big Bearpen Branch, then an unnamed branch where Logging Road Falls was right by the road. This waterfall is part of the Carolina Mountain Club’s <a href="https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/26/page/wc100 "><span style="color: red;">Waterfalls 100 Challenge</span></a>. In summer its multiple cascades are obscured by overgrowth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7MKKgDbMBOr9gaM3NgY_LLIZ_U2X79nbNAWd54rppeU-Yvuog5zFuf0P9fVjqj_vW0It0nCR3h65zv-t7EDB7WjipP7tMLhGNbsSihVZwd1G01UiTO0EYVepZJMrm6StigRIWQzMG7jm65cEwK9nifBOR2LeOl5438UNeTXTqTtL1ZqMQyuGEFAhPg/s4032/20220209_115910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7MKKgDbMBOr9gaM3NgY_LLIZ_U2X79nbNAWd54rppeU-Yvuog5zFuf0P9fVjqj_vW0It0nCR3h65zv-t7EDB7WjipP7tMLhGNbsSihVZwd1G01UiTO0EYVepZJMrm6StigRIWQzMG7jm65cEwK9nifBOR2LeOl5438UNeTXTqTtL1ZqMQyuGEFAhPg/w480-h640/20220209_115910.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rvhH53thsJdjY9AS92C_JFB1eUnudpB9krXdA0GRrPoBAz2xbWtgGG7taB1lZw1SQHB1FRX8ScBXX-V9XoIEpSCQumi1WB2_vI35STInRQDbERY4m0KCFsxQiPdZ5P9cXKkIJa1BbCmt90DQOfk-6e6CYQvPpLAP9TX0BPMAlGAcaoR8BvSMpvpHng/s4032/20220209_121601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rvhH53thsJdjY9AS92C_JFB1eUnudpB9krXdA0GRrPoBAz2xbWtgGG7taB1lZw1SQHB1FRX8ScBXX-V9XoIEpSCQumi1WB2_vI35STInRQDbERY4m0KCFsxQiPdZ5P9cXKkIJa1BbCmt90DQOfk-6e6CYQvPpLAP9TX0BPMAlGAcaoR8BvSMpvpHng/w640-h480/20220209_121601.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA6QdczIN9stTGuwn2bRfBCFsHdAFbZWa9DwPspHJuCu47axqNTrpnjIrQLJb04GCVhHx-xBNsQeSN_R4IVJzkgxecevyg3QYv97C3PQLuuq1sk_rKiLp77AufQZCWejEQ0i44hEzRt3M8wAUv-_1V7Dtj8RbGT97x5x8vNM8yAjZjYQsURQkujf5Kw/s4032/20220209_121535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA6QdczIN9stTGuwn2bRfBCFsHdAFbZWa9DwPspHJuCu47axqNTrpnjIrQLJb04GCVhHx-xBNsQeSN_R4IVJzkgxecevyg3QYv97C3PQLuuq1sk_rKiLp77AufQZCWejEQ0i44hEzRt3M8wAUv-_1V7Dtj8RbGT97x5x8vNM8yAjZjYQsURQkujf5Kw/w640-h480/20220209_121535.jpg" width="640" /></a>A very sturdy bridge on the old roadbed<br />This was a logging road, built to accommodate heavy equipment</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3LuX2qQA6_mvMnTvmAx18DdJGVR3ceXyoTnGpRg-DwVE9sgJ2Jz87bv-Qkd2ZhZhIocM8RP13XY6yC6XPFzSTyHq_A0qm0zQxVOrJOBEqdnAD3Vy4YZ_WfTNWveog7N5OR_et5A1pwe_qI3-u3JqirPedT2bQDiiG_JRhqDwOlwZ7j1SlmcKfQvt6g/s4032/20220209_121148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3LuX2qQA6_mvMnTvmAx18DdJGVR3ceXyoTnGpRg-DwVE9sgJ2Jz87bv-Qkd2ZhZhIocM8RP13XY6yC6XPFzSTyHq_A0qm0zQxVOrJOBEqdnAD3Vy4YZ_WfTNWveog7N5OR_et5A1pwe_qI3-u3JqirPedT2bQDiiG_JRhqDwOlwZ7j1SlmcKfQvt6g/w480-h640/20220209_121148.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Log Hollow Branch Falls’ flow was more impressive, just a hundred feet from the trail</div><br />We tried to find Upper Log Hollow Branch Falls, following what we thought was a faint trail from the road up the right side of the creek. In the spring we would not have considered this at all, but with no undergrowth we convinced ourselves because we knew that’s where the falls had to be. Talk about calf stretching! Whew! I thought all the uphill was out of the way. We did get to a point where we could glimpse the cascade through the rhododendron, but that’s as far as we tried. <i>[If you’re going: I read later that we should have gone up the left side of the creek. You’re welcome.]<br /><br /></i>The rest of Seniard Ridge Trail meandered on and off forest roads and GAIA was reliable for staying on course, shorter but steeper climbing to go up and over what the forest roads went around on gentler grades. <br /><br />We finished the hike by 1:20 pm – who would have thunk it? Certainly not me. Except to take some photos, we had not stopped for any kind of break, no lunch, just eating an energy bar while we walked. In cold weather it’s okay to keep moving, but in warmer weather we would have made a couple of stops. Mission accomplished and a great workout!<br /><br />I enjoyed meeting Anita and am looking forward to hiking with her and Nancy again. Now that I have more midweek flexibility, I am expanding my hiking network. Happy retirement!<br /><br /><i>In preparation for this hike I checked out this </i><a href="https://www.dwhike.com/Hikes-in-the-South/North-Carolina-Hikes/Pisgah-NF-Pisgah-District/Seniard-Ridge-Case-Camp-Ridge-Loop-Hike-NC/ " style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">blog post by dwhike.com</span></a><i>. I find his hike reports to be thorough and easy to follow with great photos.</i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjZ7_TVAiOAT-x97F0bTvVRY8u9UA6XoYV_OIm38ksj6hWEi6rnCXUzT9EOuKleD1xOA78BKv6oxVw103Pko7caR0NcbVkW3RxcJOhyTHXRxnN2fFGFzZQrL6Y068MJt0WY8brISZnYcWzePuFkmM25qQgq0qRu6OfAhhhBQIDx10OSEpTimBAY3M-A/s536/IMG958991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjZ7_TVAiOAT-x97F0bTvVRY8u9UA6XoYV_OIm38ksj6hWEi6rnCXUzT9EOuKleD1xOA78BKv6oxVw103Pko7caR0NcbVkW3RxcJOhyTHXRxnN2fFGFzZQrL6Y068MJt0WY8brISZnYcWzePuFkmM25qQgq0qRu6OfAhhhBQIDx10OSEpTimBAY3M-A/w516-h640/IMG958991.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>“If you truly love nature, <br /></i></span><i style="color: #2b00fe;">you will find beauty everywhere.”<br /></i><i style="color: #2b00fe;"> ~Vincent van Gogh</i></span></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5164710319672908093.post-73135140268847355102022-11-22T17:35:00.000-05:002022-11-22T17:35:09.948-05:00North Carolina State Parks: Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area – 2/1/22 – 4 miles</b> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUIljcudr4MnT-nBR-V9wWZFwZR3t1d1PzVZ0hWYYHzCWWWrtCCQRoLO_A5YcuvVpvLsyfqlASuqnoXdnfn4xiyKpMDRrJ1KkaGrTIivxr7YWfKjjIZqv0Ho_bzAS58VZvmEUmrkXFOYVbxYffZoUK3QKBleO8_MXCeaWS60OvYGzU19pTIjQVGIg5w/s1030/20220201_112436.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1030" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUIljcudr4MnT-nBR-V9wWZFwZR3t1d1PzVZ0hWYYHzCWWWrtCCQRoLO_A5YcuvVpvLsyfqlASuqnoXdnfn4xiyKpMDRrJ1KkaGrTIivxr7YWfKjjIZqv0Ho_bzAS58VZvmEUmrkXFOYVbxYffZoUK3QKBleO8_MXCeaWS60OvYGzU19pTIjQVGIg5w/w640-h572/20220201_112436.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>On the way from here to there, I took a little time to visit <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/occoneechee-mountain-state-natural-area"><span style="color: red;">Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area</span></a> near Hillsborough, NC, a unit of the North Carolina State Parks system that I have driven past many times when traveling I-85. It is a monadnock, a tongue-twisting word for a hill or mountain that stands isolated above a predominantly flat plain. At 867 feet high, Occoneechee Mountain is the high point of Orange County, NC.<br /><br />This gem is sandwiched between I-85 to the south and the Eno River to the north. What, you ask, could possibly fit in this 190-acre bit of land? Well, quite a lot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdWhpZfLYpxFgRSOjGt_RylKmyvYQqbTM8_3qKpBKLnvleENfjxbHrBM23dugFlyhEE-BxOJFNy7-XAvKVLDrShWGTNdXJ2jvUAbQV0hVW3hQAPem2MKFh6BqYoYymQOVXeia0T9NmgcZuicP-YUputoOEbLnOoKq8M22hIDBJwLUnqJtKRDVEnHbmg/s2324/20220201_113341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2324" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdWhpZfLYpxFgRSOjGt_RylKmyvYQqbTM8_3qKpBKLnvleENfjxbHrBM23dugFlyhEE-BxOJFNy7-XAvKVLDrShWGTNdXJ2jvUAbQV0hVW3hQAPem2MKFh6BqYoYymQOVXeia0T9NmgcZuicP-YUputoOEbLnOoKq8M22hIDBJwLUnqJtKRDVEnHbmg/w640-h564/20220201_113341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>From the parking lot, I started out hiking clockwise on the Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail. I used GAIA GPS to keep myself on track but found that the trails were very well signed and easy to follow. <i>[If you’re going, be aware that there is no park office on-site and you can’t count on getting a paper map there. <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/media/634/open"><span style="color: red;">Download a pdf here</span></a> to take with you.]</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCo5uwpoCCUKL5BZcLTQzoCx3fsdNOBZizKhn6aGwVVjNzBJjRvGLqcyCvxjtESQszqy5G-iTTN07Lu_aR1_rp-Qm7DqorRu6vC_hZ7ojQ1BjVhezaNivY749Kds__A014tXDuEbMN3Y9s2bJ_MpUT5hc24NvtJl2lNkQ4qUzg9cH4bv7b49fmB56iA/s4032/20220201_113748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCo5uwpoCCUKL5BZcLTQzoCx3fsdNOBZizKhn6aGwVVjNzBJjRvGLqcyCvxjtESQszqy5G-iTTN07Lu_aR1_rp-Qm7DqorRu6vC_hZ7ojQ1BjVhezaNivY749Kds__A014tXDuEbMN3Y9s2bJ_MpUT5hc24NvtJl2lNkQ4qUzg9cH4bv7b49fmB56iA/w480-h640/20220201_113748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Information sign at the trailhead - I wouldn’t rely on cell service in mountain areas but this is good stuff to know for Occoneechee Mountain SNA<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MXBtlRjBSoNhatVau_U6260_RNYWtWzlnwzGc3nw_kbl2M0if2Ik_2hplO4qiTpQi_y7dSCk9MQfnH6E1aBhc9v5JzQx54Dji_hUIAVGnb5SvASr8lnZXx8XqJ9QUevRA2MbqEq-KeYfVxiq8kunjal17dmifhfOXmDF3ogiaxb4Ql6yka28HI_6NA/s4032/20220201_114001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MXBtlRjBSoNhatVau_U6260_RNYWtWzlnwzGc3nw_kbl2M0if2Ik_2hplO4qiTpQi_y7dSCk9MQfnH6E1aBhc9v5JzQx54Dji_hUIAVGnb5SvASr8lnZXx8XqJ9QUevRA2MbqEq-KeYfVxiq8kunjal17dmifhfOXmDF3ogiaxb4Ql6yka28HI_6NA/w480-h640/20220201_114001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous winter’s day</div><p></p><p>Going clockwise, the trail parallels I-85 for a bit, and through the open forest I could see and hear the noise of cars and trucks barreling along the interstate. I found it very distracting and disheartening that civilization so relentlessly encroaches on the outdoor experience. But…the trail soon turned away from this nonsense and the racket faded to nothing. <br /><br />As the path curved and began its gentle climb, I saw communications towers higher up on the right-hand side - the high point of the mountain. I bushwhacked through the open forest as near to the summit as allowed (not as amazing or brave as it sounds, maybe a few hundred yards) and then returned to the trail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUJ266YE3bwyL6m1U2dxLeP6m9zWtvNHkDBKzWf5UpBXn_ieoczO9GzhBuK0rKcr9-6Uz25RLQ3g0LOdgghLMw0anwGaYjLCGjw6oQGukEJUiF7ZVy6Uwa3V-YafOPtuKSflbYhVaqlGnjVmJKspAN6nf2wxQ3xQoKMspHpJliloMwoafVDSWsQHb9g/s4032/20220201_114938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUJ266YE3bwyL6m1U2dxLeP6m9zWtvNHkDBKzWf5UpBXn_ieoczO9GzhBuK0rKcr9-6Uz25RLQ3g0LOdgghLMw0anwGaYjLCGjw6oQGukEJUiF7ZVy6Uwa3V-YafOPtuKSflbYhVaqlGnjVmJKspAN6nf2wxQ3xQoKMspHpJliloMwoafVDSWsQHb9g/w480-h640/20220201_114938.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I also passed rock formations as the trail curved away from the interstate, and as I approached a low shoulder I noticed restoration work. A new trail rerouted off the top of the rise and the old trail was filled in with chopped up tree trunks and limbs to deter future use. Great trail work and kudos to a job well done to keep people on the new trail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmdXs2sdEQNKUYp5xF-p4VnGR-Fm7ornFT0qeFBQkkVc-8G603CzgwfqzSUwZ2-L52-DcjDay4ni8RW8LwPQlGC3uQbTmWM7kPeMAXRWPMpa8y-5w_0kb0U_JEqPcA0C26VsumFtrtwW89WeWxsFLtjzMbIUXXj6bK_EVrghPsf0_8v6Ckz34ug6BBg/s3024/20220201_120244.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="2985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmdXs2sdEQNKUYp5xF-p4VnGR-Fm7ornFT0qeFBQkkVc-8G603CzgwfqzSUwZ2-L52-DcjDay4ni8RW8LwPQlGC3uQbTmWM7kPeMAXRWPMpa8y-5w_0kb0U_JEqPcA0C26VsumFtrtwW89WeWxsFLtjzMbIUXXj6bK_EVrghPsf0_8v6Ckz34ug6BBg/w632-h640/20220201_120244.1.jpg" width="632" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKssx3xV-V-2nOg8EKxHCrQeQXke8S9Pt_tm3qksP8kkWvOAqEK42ELroEUpsvzBPcHcROa321uXZ_z4TmTfESXefGTqqsHA9GGlOj2g7rYppWu8o5qGnpswYwOgxhDi0z6ZL6kJuDNSgb-wqjUpsi1M7_csDHyY6q6MeqCED8K9RS6qxqI39qDJIoPA/s4032/20220201_120534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKssx3xV-V-2nOg8EKxHCrQeQXke8S9Pt_tm3qksP8kkWvOAqEK42ELroEUpsvzBPcHcROa321uXZ_z4TmTfESXefGTqqsHA9GGlOj2g7rYppWu8o5qGnpswYwOgxhDi0z6ZL6kJuDNSgb-wqjUpsi1M7_csDHyY6q6MeqCED8K9RS6qxqI39qDJIoPA/w480-h640/20220201_120534.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I followed the trail as it descended to the river’s edge, where I encountered a side trail to the left and a sign saying the state park ends there and private property begins. <i>[My GAIA app indicated this place is called “Jumping Rock.”]</i> Being respectful of private property, I stayed on the main trail and walked for a ways alongside the reflective still waters of the Eno.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbshgjSjfvn3LfU6P83rWiGXB8gXhHAnloB8hkB9leN4BIQ76TPo1h1j6TkXESKkve6x8fwsArSJkMc7iREKubfgEu8ccqwdvxQ__UvCE3SdnvZTaUrvKuf-2eg754YvpztFgL1ZdFLa5Q93T4ow7irTFA83ifkHPbFQ_A7WTYEf2KiZVU9oC31xqHCQ/s4032/20220201_121538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbshgjSjfvn3LfU6P83rWiGXB8gXhHAnloB8hkB9leN4BIQ76TPo1h1j6TkXESKkve6x8fwsArSJkMc7iREKubfgEu8ccqwdvxQ__UvCE3SdnvZTaUrvKuf-2eg754YvpztFgL1ZdFLa5Q93T4ow7irTFA83ifkHPbFQ_A7WTYEf2KiZVU9oC31xqHCQ/w480-h640/20220201_121538.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL9hfjxasNqHm3H6aiLwruupDubxXHIPMdFK_cKPD8ZHhj5SlQXPapJxmHDZ6x0VV1lSwl8N__USiKy7kE7A9LbHnD8Q9raZh8E0AAOnj_09wf93wYwtHH3NNZT-_2vog5p_LlhfOkHt68iVxetl8Lr1UQFfinV3dHIFOZ4BeXlXvomn16h-pAiFPhQ/s4032/20220201_122241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL9hfjxasNqHm3H6aiLwruupDubxXHIPMdFK_cKPD8ZHhj5SlQXPapJxmHDZ6x0VV1lSwl8N__USiKy7kE7A9LbHnD8Q9raZh8E0AAOnj_09wf93wYwtHH3NNZT-_2vog5p_LlhfOkHt68iVxetl8Lr1UQFfinV3dHIFOZ4BeXlXvomn16h-pAiFPhQ/w480-h640/20220201_122241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Not showing on the map, but signed as plain as day, is a short side trail to the site of pre-Civil War <a href="http://www.ncgeology.com/Eno_interactive_webs/Abandoned_Quarry_OcconecheeMtn.html"><span style="color: red;">Occoneechee Quarry</span></a> (abandoned around 1908) which I took as an invitation to take a look. Slippery remnants of snow and ice held on in deep shadows at the quarry’s base. I passed three teenagers coming out from the quarry…hmmm…</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBL07EiSC9RPblF8uGt6W7rLSZsuDSVWDz4aFGIFPqVZmMBVbBheFw3HOTjqz0MNRp-Coet85YtZG7dyIBoqkxoMvu7yD5QGn_BybGZq2mjnWAn-mfgbRV8tIUfmOvNIBup5IW7xwBU60Ty6311ieCEIrAXYGrMYlQkJRjAfUiEwN_CIksbiei9gMA/s4032/20220201_122830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBL07EiSC9RPblF8uGt6W7rLSZsuDSVWDz4aFGIFPqVZmMBVbBheFw3HOTjqz0MNRp-Coet85YtZG7dyIBoqkxoMvu7yD5QGn_BybGZq2mjnWAn-mfgbRV8tIUfmOvNIBup5IW7xwBU60Ty6311ieCEIrAXYGrMYlQkJRjAfUiEwN_CIksbiei9gMA/w480-h640/20220201_122830.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoblwv5HOYZDtuBBPIcYGJcFQB-3OPnP8oh-KoVsL39GvFHCHi5HHn43MJ55HsfB0HhXAyhlIf1c_wPQ-Se7lI0DENIVPQykuluYnJ-q3rjUJ9uTCn_lC96Xe_Wlm1yl2KD2KpHVKaWTyH6Ss5JSdPLZkYHJELwrWwlokIR755_O9MPOa7lBZPCzISCw/s4032/20220201_123108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoblwv5HOYZDtuBBPIcYGJcFQB-3OPnP8oh-KoVsL39GvFHCHi5HHn43MJ55HsfB0HhXAyhlIf1c_wPQ-Se7lI0DENIVPQykuluYnJ-q3rjUJ9uTCn_lC96Xe_Wlm1yl2KD2KpHVKaWTyH6Ss5JSdPLZkYHJELwrWwlokIR755_O9MPOa7lBZPCzISCw/w480-h640/20220201_123108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgWcIPCq5-6LvaZ9NaS2x60xyb6pxSgrNTc-ClCzShnv89jLVKdjg9HQ9Zp5QSO-t6vCAOsfdfxz9adGCEtVpPg2UeGMCioN6jm7KDhjK6-COTsfx8nchJSMBe4HNmzr8ZlQuzdBPcdMoMdSw9mFolj2WZdvcLicGjCuqd9ZI0Yt4yDsqqUn65oBzlA/s4032/20220201_123158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgWcIPCq5-6LvaZ9NaS2x60xyb6pxSgrNTc-ClCzShnv89jLVKdjg9HQ9Zp5QSO-t6vCAOsfdfxz9adGCEtVpPg2UeGMCioN6jm7KDhjK6-COTsfx8nchJSMBe4HNmzr8ZlQuzdBPcdMoMdSw9mFolj2WZdvcLicGjCuqd9ZI0Yt4yDsqqUn65oBzlA/w480-h640/20220201_123158.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Occoneechee Mountain rises sharply from the river’s edge, and the trail turned and suddenly took me up recently constructed sturdy steep stairs and barely recognizable steps in dire need of replacement.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hM_4M63kT1rEuVLv1InATRCaI0ZHwNvpL8vXOC_lgcETvDJmhnrNZdBZtZaHpQugJ0B7bKXrx_GxACAYvhy2BDcgle-mYNRZVjHeHG9cQ_uz_clumqNN04Sk5Rz88ZBH9BiM7QtnuzThmQS3S5YPn6KS8QFYTQh8MQ8_nafjm_pnbkUk_QvWfpoX4Q/s4032/20220201_123726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hM_4M63kT1rEuVLv1InATRCaI0ZHwNvpL8vXOC_lgcETvDJmhnrNZdBZtZaHpQugJ0B7bKXrx_GxACAYvhy2BDcgle-mYNRZVjHeHG9cQ_uz_clumqNN04Sk5Rz88ZBH9BiM7QtnuzThmQS3S5YPn6KS8QFYTQh8MQ8_nafjm_pnbkUk_QvWfpoX4Q/w480-h640/20220201_123726.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0rXYyAJ09vJM7DPMv-PWwbIa4GWHD20-tepFI1BEl-3jXtUix-uDmLXFv_ynQWdk6EkYU3onzc05dZ5DE0eEKEiWJdtsk2IuWeyO5y6OZt9Eae5BzwdotvhBM5k5-vQcFF0u0e070zsvj0uIgFxgVuS0RtiUrCLBKULap8GoCnmSyJfgezvl4NaEFw/s4032/20220201_123820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0rXYyAJ09vJM7DPMv-PWwbIa4GWHD20-tepFI1BEl-3jXtUix-uDmLXFv_ynQWdk6EkYU3onzc05dZ5DE0eEKEiWJdtsk2IuWeyO5y6OZt9Eae5BzwdotvhBM5k5-vQcFF0u0e070zsvj0uIgFxgVuS0RtiUrCLBKULap8GoCnmSyJfgezvl4NaEFw/w480-h640/20220201_123820.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EIr0NCCbK3pVqIU6rYqqvEMoOQOa99313wTLfsWMiw_Zx6yr7RsQOoJvpj4YUfBfpIY6_h93YiQqfUBLCPToEYzYLz7RcbYrFxpBhT_7JjzQJOIx1H5qDKWeBaVj5rAPOf77Z3Tn_C1aD5MeuAmkJ-0-wuDoo_X-Qz3mmQkz1AD3rDS18PnWza48Fg/s4032/20220201_123857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EIr0NCCbK3pVqIU6rYqqvEMoOQOa99313wTLfsWMiw_Zx6yr7RsQOoJvpj4YUfBfpIY6_h93YiQqfUBLCPToEYzYLz7RcbYrFxpBhT_7JjzQJOIx1H5qDKWeBaVj5rAPOf77Z3Tn_C1aD5MeuAmkJ-0-wuDoo_X-Qz3mmQkz1AD3rDS18PnWza48Fg/w480-h640/20220201_123857.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I turned right onto the Overlook Trail that leads to the top edge of the quarry and a fine view of the Eno River below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkmDniqZ_2eXuaQcGaxj_WVRa_kTRwEoR1cqwaODBr4_0-wLKiq928EXGUWgMNdCKQwyqKWyesNc5OGdd_DeH6QKLc9kXYgLzG3ZH6ZILrq5_hUlgz6ULQgfeAvXBHIhnQiYWrwAcOx2_anAJPTTcAaRCnYbyLd8rigV4NbmVZsBjlyurxkwoDpiXOQ/s4032/20220201_124220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkmDniqZ_2eXuaQcGaxj_WVRa_kTRwEoR1cqwaODBr4_0-wLKiq928EXGUWgMNdCKQwyqKWyesNc5OGdd_DeH6QKLc9kXYgLzG3ZH6ZILrq5_hUlgz6ULQgfeAvXBHIhnQiYWrwAcOx2_anAJPTTcAaRCnYbyLd8rigV4NbmVZsBjlyurxkwoDpiXOQ/w640-h480/20220201_124220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORUi0Maz2nzCEvxdc-drgf87LKpGY928hn9cX-gIgVOXx8erwrH84LMhEtodDHksrPawLDzR1ClAulDuUhWrjQ1Nmhxpk8uMLCxIYqaAbNVHXcIP9Ct8TfNY53Cpoj2eONQ51MPDojpBcDHK0AST-1PtY-dqT890YmWmd86OYTaWhmT9bKjqD3vJNwQ/s4032/20220201_124440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORUi0Maz2nzCEvxdc-drgf87LKpGY928hn9cX-gIgVOXx8erwrH84LMhEtodDHksrPawLDzR1ClAulDuUhWrjQ1Nmhxpk8uMLCxIYqaAbNVHXcIP9Ct8TfNY53Cpoj2eONQ51MPDojpBcDHK0AST-1PtY-dqT890YmWmd86OYTaWhmT9bKjqD3vJNwQ/w480-h640/20220201_124440.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlWM-LKaB0p9MOQD3pOMKpJmYNPK9JzvFYw1d80KW-OSX3gicGjWpuk2oMYCCD2MGxoeyRooO2oIZAOnpFO5F1jf_7tvZeNOzpZRcDK8T2Or1vj4ZDRVsEYq9Y4VU22mIg0IFHfLXauktEvbyJXpiQwiVBI_vj_hm0drjAHJbn4T8Zgznsxu4yJZbXQ/s4032/20220201_125727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlWM-LKaB0p9MOQD3pOMKpJmYNPK9JzvFYw1d80KW-OSX3gicGjWpuk2oMYCCD2MGxoeyRooO2oIZAOnpFO5F1jf_7tvZeNOzpZRcDK8T2Or1vj4ZDRVsEYq9Y4VU22mIg0IFHfLXauktEvbyJXpiQwiVBI_vj_hm0drjAHJbn4T8Zgznsxu4yJZbXQ/w480-h640/20220201_125727.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A grown man having fun with his remote control truck</div><p>At this point I had decisions to make: backtrack to the Loop Trail or find another way back to the parking area? The trail completer in me took over and said, “Why not hike a loop-within-a-loop?” I’ll spare you the turn-by-turn, but I managed to complete the entire Loop Trail plus a few others for good measure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnklhqkds_Lydo9oywQ_IDf-yd-fiv-AdgZquBuXcZaAWhhI0s_i6lI-H9h-GVLvZmbNT47QgzBsQcXre4_DdcSUy4x1kq3YvbmcH2l4wYwyxc1o_VrEaC_t9XEE0XrNNCXrlzTGxuMuvUtvVzUafl2W1aN0kvkIvNsmQ8SnPfEaL6QA2sv6Y0cpn5JQ/s3024/20220201_130201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="3024" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnklhqkds_Lydo9oywQ_IDf-yd-fiv-AdgZquBuXcZaAWhhI0s_i6lI-H9h-GVLvZmbNT47QgzBsQcXre4_DdcSUy4x1kq3YvbmcH2l4wYwyxc1o_VrEaC_t9XEE0XrNNCXrlzTGxuMuvUtvVzUafl2W1aN0kvkIvNsmQ8SnPfEaL6QA2sv6Y0cpn5JQ/w640-h602/20220201_130201.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5REuhj9lDUMC8wNUMSc-lepoNDfpHo1olnThTRqOqEl8kXr0dZHYmGl9MuRyRCTcYdzLd9I6bTzH91j8N5BLgjWgpfyoiEAIEGWH0fuGw4QCVREUOLy_y0x7zLdWagIpRjUdztDaBxJeTfx9WLGq1OJdOp-6AyazeDVwfrCVu7SLcl_tAPxNPvSaWDw/s4032/20220201_134841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5REuhj9lDUMC8wNUMSc-lepoNDfpHo1olnThTRqOqEl8kXr0dZHYmGl9MuRyRCTcYdzLd9I6bTzH91j8N5BLgjWgpfyoiEAIEGWH0fuGw4QCVREUOLy_y0x7zLdWagIpRjUdztDaBxJeTfx9WLGq1OJdOp-6AyazeDVwfrCVu7SLcl_tAPxNPvSaWDw/w640-h480/20220201_134841.jpg" width="640" /></a>One of two fishing ponds on the southeastern side of the Loop Trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBPRTvdI4EO06B8rZ9aZQmv3Ql5ove7Q__M4moErh_6fNXdpGQ_2lG8g41wWCnRDd4RFXDUGCavhOwlC2zaj-Iv80gDLsTC4bp3F3FJXKcjL4KG5gxANqlu2uJXrInq2mHRzeCmivQ7RiL4WDJsdAQmAjxkI8c5iRpHh0AsFBIpOUdcU-7bCHCMQlWg/s1099/Screenshot_20221114-102016_Gaia%20GPS.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBPRTvdI4EO06B8rZ9aZQmv3Ql5ove7Q__M4moErh_6fNXdpGQ_2lG8g41wWCnRDd4RFXDUGCavhOwlC2zaj-Iv80gDLsTC4bp3F3FJXKcjL4KG5gxANqlu2uJXrInq2mHRzeCmivQ7RiL4WDJsdAQmAjxkI8c5iRpHh0AsFBIpOUdcU-7bCHCMQlWg/w622-h640/Screenshot_20221114-102016_Gaia%20GPS.1.jpg" width="622" /></a></div><p>Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is a wonderful resource for locals and an easy diversion for travelers, a few miles of real dirt trails in urban-suburban sprawl. I’m very glad I finally took the exit!<br /><br /><i>I’m sorry to say that the North Carolina State Parks website is lacking in information about the human history of Occoneechee Mountain SNA. Read this </i><a href="https://www.enoriver.org/features/occoneechee-mountain-state-natural-area/ " style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">Eno River Association web page</span></a><i> to learn more about its history since Europeans came to the area and recent preservation efforts, but also go further back in time </i><a href="https://www.ncpedia.org/occaneechi-indians " style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><i> and </i><a href="https://obsn.org/ " style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><i> to learn about the Occaneechi indigenous peoples that preceded them. A land acknowledgement of the Occaneechi band of the Saponi Nation can be found </i><a href="https://obsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LandacknowledgementobsnPDF-1.pdf " style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><i>.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UhAYx6NBVxCrSvsyVF9l_2ZtMbyDd1EFAAy-ddNScOp2lCcYk_fZn2umnXweRq_72bmwD_MS3qsRezOoCHkFsaEwMBI6oJPnvFXutZQsLN2G08C4KLsj6ckDh-wa16bbn_sPzqXBeUhtt_qWrIHjUAxo6ZbNkRzf3myoHXqoFFeWgeoBKYLys3JE6g/s2209/20220201_121422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="1642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UhAYx6NBVxCrSvsyVF9l_2ZtMbyDd1EFAAy-ddNScOp2lCcYk_fZn2umnXweRq_72bmwD_MS3qsRezOoCHkFsaEwMBI6oJPnvFXutZQsLN2G08C4KLsj6ckDh-wa16bbn_sPzqXBeUhtt_qWrIHjUAxo6ZbNkRzf3myoHXqoFFeWgeoBKYLys3JE6g/w476-h640/20220201_121422.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><i>“In every walk with nature one receives<br /> far more than he seeks.”<br /> ~John Muir</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>smoky scouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08142614926628949343noreply@blogger.com1