Winter Camping @ Morrow Mountain State Park
The game plan was to leave for Morrow Mountain around 8am Saturday morning but that didn't happen. Instead, I overslept and didn't get a chance to leave until noon. When does anything go according to timelines or game plans? Morrow Mountain State Park is only 55 miles away, makes for an easy weekend getaway. Upon entering the park I was greeted by the welcoming comity, a group of deer in the roadway. How cool is that? The campground was totally empty except for one site occupied by a father and a 2yr old. Site 87 on loop C away from everything and lots of sunlight will do. Camp's set up and ready to go. Now it's time to go scrounging for firewood. It's going to be a cold night. Luckily, when people camp out during winter they bring plenty of firewood and leave the extras for fellow campers. After collecting firewood I return with another welcoming comity, two more deer. Shrimp, mussels, and rotini noodles in a garlic cream sauce for dinner. After hours of gazing at a big campfire, bundling to keep warm, pointing out the big and little dipper, listening to the rustling of critters in the forest, it's time for bed. Surveying the forest with a flashlight resulted five pairs of glowing eyes looking back at me, more deer. Seriously, all you can see is the eyes and right before bed. Damn, 27 degrees makes for a COLD night. Another big fire and blueberry pancakes for breakfast starts the day off. If only I drink coffee. Now I am offended. Bailey buried his dog food, supper last night, and now my pancakes, what up? First, Falls Mountain Loop Trail and then Morrow Mountain Loop Trail and then bolonga sandwiches. Bailey has no problems eating that. Now it's time to pack up and head home.

Total:  5.5 miles                    State Parks: 3                   Deer: 29

My New Red Cloud 90!

This is for my planned trip to hike the Art Loeb Trail in April. Can't wait.

Hitting the Trails @ Latta Plantation Nature Preserve

Bailey really likes it at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Every time I take him he gets so excited and wants to jump out of the truck before we even get parked. We usually have hit the beach area so he can get into the Mountain Island Lake and get wet first. Then we'll hit the Cattail Loop Trail around the cove. This time we had plenty of time to hit the Audubon Trail, Buzzard Rock Trail, Laura's Trail, Treasure Tree Trail, Beechwood Trail, and part of the Catawba Trail. Now it's time for a nap.

Total: 6-7 Miles      

 

Hiking Rocky Top Trail @ Crowder's Mountain State Park with CHOA, Sorta!


Still committed to my New Years Resolutions, I signed up for a multiple hike with CHOA (Charlotte Outdoor Adventures). Vickie, Bailey and I were to join up with the group at the Visitors Center at Crowder's Mountain State Park. We met them around 12 noon and had several members greet us warmly. Bailey enjoyed sniffing all the other dogs as well. After heading out with the group we hung back to the rear so Bailey could calm down some. He gets excited and wants to pull my arm off the first half mile of every trail we take. With a mile under our belt we basically got left behind from the group CHOA. So, we just walked the Rocky Top Trail at our own pace and enjoy the day. After hanging out at the top for a while, we all headed down the 330+ steps to get to the Crowder's Trail back to the Visitors Center. The Rocky Top Trail was strenuous with around a 900 ft. ascent to the top and the Crowder's Trail was moderate and well maintained. 

Total: 5 Miles              WNC State Park: 2

First Day Hike to Kick Off 2012

My New Years Resolutions includes being more active and getting outdoors.  So why not start with a First Day Hike at Hanging Rock State Park? After 2 hours of traveling, Bailey (dog) and I were ready to hit the trails. We started down the Indian Creek Trail about .4 miles to Hidden Falls and another .4 miles to Window Falls. We spent about an hour at the Window Falls exploring and wading in the freezing water, finding a hidden waterfall behind the window in the rock. Back at the parking lot we hit the trail head of Hanging Rock Trail up to Hanging Rock. This is a moderate 1.3 mile trail that's well marked and well maintained. The trail was moderately heavy with fellow hikers enjoying the great weather as much as I was. The view on top of Hanging Rock was spectacular. Bailey was fearless walking around the cliffs. After lunch on the rock, we headed back down to the parking lot. Now it's off to see the Upper Cascades Falls. Hanging Rock State Park is great park of picturesque of cascades and waterfalls, high rock cliffs, spectacular views and a mountain cave. Another New Years Resolution is to visit every State Park in WNC.

Total: 5 Miles                     WNC State Parks: 1