SNAAAKE!

This is what I came across along Split Rock Trail!

 Northern Black Racer Snake

 Non-venomous; adult size 36-66 inches
Black Racer snakes' body is small in diameter, and a small white patch under the chin and along the throat. It lives in brushy areas, rocky hillsides, and meadows, and underneath boards or tin around old buildings. Black Racers feed on insects, eggs, mice, frogs and lizards. It is not aggressive and will quickly flee if you stand still, then slowly back away. However, if this snake is struck, cornered or captured, it will coil, rattle it's tail (bluff) and lunge at the intruder to defend itself.

Off-Roading at Uwharrie National Forest

Early Saturday morning I headed out toward Uwharrie National Forest. A popular place for lake fishing on Badin Lake, horseback riding, and off-roading. I met up with a friend of mine at Eldorado Outpost where many off-roading groups usually stage at before heading out on the back roads. I then followed him back to Badin Lake Group Campground where Carolina Rover Owners Club (CROC) has set up camp since Thursday. Within an hour of getting to the campsite our little group of 12 jumped into three OHV (LandRover and Jeeps) and headed out. Started off with Wolf Den Trail and then Art Lilley, Daniel, Dutch John, Falls Dam, Sawmill, and the Dickey Bell Trail. This was my first time here and the trails were bone jarring fun maneuvering around big rocks and ruts through the back country of Uwharrie National Forest. Kodak Rock, Daniel, Dutch John, the mud pits, and the Dickey Bell Trail were my favorite. After a few hours on the trail we headed back to camp where CROC had a huge tent set up for an awesome BBQ plate with beans, potatoes, slaw, and sweet tea. It's time to eat and relax. This was a great trip and only an hour down the road from Charlotte, NC. I will return.

Todays' Tranquility and Solitude Didn't Last Long!

I really like my job so when I go to Latta Plantation for an afternoon hike it's not to unwind but to enhance the day. It's such a contrast working in the city and then venturing out on the trails for some solitude. Today, it was even more tranquil by the way a handful of rays successfully reaches the forests' floor and brightens up its' canopy and the newly sprouting leaves reaching out with such vibrant green. Walking along the Buzzard Rock Trail, the only noise within earshot was a seldom squirrel wrestling in the leaves and random thoughts streaming through my head. The breeze flowing through the trees is very comfortable and crisp. Butterflies zipping along the trails being indecisive in their direction of flight. These walks are full of tranquility and gives me great solitude. Until Bailey (my dog) poops on the trail and I step in it. Oh well.

MY NEW REI HALF DOME 2 TENT

My new lightweight, backpacking tent for 2 ... REI Half Dome 2!

• Backpacker 2010 Editors' Choice Gold Award winner: “‘Half Dome remains the epitome of functional, affordable design,’ remarked the same testers who used it 8 years ago”
• The Half Dome tent brings together the successful design philosophy that made the original Half Dome so popular and adds insightful technological updates
• 2 side doors and 2 vestibules offer easy access and personalized storage for each occupant; 2 vents ensure the tent stays well ventilated
• Frame design combines multidiameter Combi poles and unique dual-hub architecture to create nearly vertical side and end walls; the result is spacious area-wide headroom
• Rectangular floor plan optimizes usable space and allows comfortable sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder or head-to-toe
• DAC Featherlite® NSL poles and engineered plastic hubs combine to offer a high-performance pole set that is strong, durable and lightweight
• Color-coded poles and pole clips ensure an easy setup
• Exclusive Tension Truss architecture leverages bound seams to provide low-weight structural stability and to increase interior volume
• Fully adjustable ceiling vents mitigate condensation by drawing cool air under the fly and exhausting warm, moist air
• Hybrid floor combines sealed seams and bathtub curves to create a waterproof, taut floor; tautness enhances door-zipper operation and maximizes volume at end walls
• Multiple storage options include corner pockets, roof pockets and hang loops
• Location and shape of tent door zippers allow smooth, 1-handed operation; use the door pockets to hold doors out of the way or for storage
• Vestibule? zipper opening aligns with tent door for no-hassle operation, entry and exit
• UV-resistant polyester rainfly will not stretch or expand when wet, ensuring a consistently taut pitch
• No-wick welded construction ensures that moisture won't sneak through susceptible areas, such as guy-out points, pole wraps and zippers
• Mood-elevating colors create a pleasant interior even when the weather outside is uninviting
• Save weight and create a lightweight setup by using just the rainfly, poles and footprint (sold separately)
• Comes with guylines and tighteners, stakes, pole repair tube, pole and stake bags, and tapered, easy-to-fill compression stuff sack

Review pending upon upcoming backpacking trip!

Mt. Mitchell State Park

 The summit of Mount Mitchell, at an elevation 6,684 feet, is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Mount Mitchell State Park is 1,946 acres, rising more than a mile high, providing some of the most breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A short trail beginning at the summit parking lot leads to a stone observation platform providing a spectacular 360 degree 85 miles view of the surrounding mountains and Pisgah National Forest. Some of the Fraser and Spruce firs in the highest elevations has been infested and killed by the balsam woolly adelgid, air pollution, and acid-laden precipitation. The wildlife within the park includes northern flying squirrels, saw-whet owls, white-tailed deer, black bears, striped skunks, bobcats, gray foxes, and over 91 species of birds. Mt. Mitchell State Park offers a variety of activities within the park including tent and primitive camping, several quality hiking trails, and a spectacular picnic area.

Camping: Family camping: The nine-site family campground is open throughout the year. Only tent camping is allowed. Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table. Modern restrooms for use during warm seasons are located nearby. Showers and hot water are not provided. In the winter, campers have access to pit toilets, and no running water is available.
Pack-in camping: Campers may leave vehicles in the park overnight to backpack into the Pisgah National Forest. Visitors who leave their vehicles in the park must register on the forms provided at the trailheads near the parking area or at the park office. Mount Mitchell offers a choice of trails from which to enjoy the nearby alpine woodlands

Hiking: Choose between a short stroll or a more extensive hike into the woods. Either choice will be rewarding as the beauty of the park is best seen from one of its many trails. Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and carry proper gear as the high altitude makes the climate of Mount Mitchell chilly, even in summer. Severe storms above 6,000 feet are unpredictable and can be life-threatening. Fog and winds can impede search-and-rescue crew and helicopter access. Hike and camp in the back country at your own risk

Picnicking: Try a mile-high picnic at Mount Mitchell. The shady picnic area, open year-round, is located at the north end of the summit parking lot. Forty picnic tables, stone grills and drinking water supply all the essentials. Two picnic shelters with fireplaces are perfect for group picnics. Each shelter accommodates up to 16 people. Use of the shelters is free of charge unless reservations are requested.

On the Deep Gap Trail, you'll first ascend Mt. Craig Peak at 6648 ft. followed by Big Tom Peak at 6581 ft., Balsam Cone Peak at 6596 ft. and Cattail Peak at 6584 ft. before you reach Deep Gap Camp. This trail is moderately strenuous at times but a must hike. Mount Hallback Peak, at 6300 ft., is on the other side of MMSP summit parking lot. Another must see is Craggys Garden just a few miles down the road on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Total: 5.5 miles                         WNC Parks: 7

View from Mt. Mitchell

Top of Mt Mitchell at the observation platform

Deep Gap Trail

View from top of Mt. Craig

Picnic area with view of Pilot Mtn.

View of Mt. Craig

Lake Norman State Park

With only 27 days before the Art Loeb Trail, I need to get into shape for this strenuous 30 mile hike. Just 15 minutes down the road is Lake Norman State Park. I hiked the Lake Shore Trail before but wanted to see if there's other trails in the park. I hiked the Alder Trail (1 mile) for a warm up trail. On the other side of the parking lot is the Itusi Trail, mostly for mountain bikers but hikers are allowed. If you add the Hawk Loop Trail and the Norwood Loop Trail makes for a 6.5 mile hike. The Norwood Trail was by far the most beautiful trail of the day with a lush blanket of greenery on the forest floor.

Total Miles: 7.5                           WNC Parks: 6