NC BACKCOUNTRY: 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

MY WEEKEND AT CAESAR'S HEAD STATE PARK AND JONAS GAP STATE PARK

The weather this weekend couldn't be better for camping, well maybe a little warmer. And another last minute decision as to where I should go leads me straight to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area where two state parks, Caesar's Head State Park and Jonas Gap State Park, are nestled. Accidentally speeding pass the turn-off to Jonas Gap, I continued along the winding mountain road to the top and the Caesar's Head parking lot. With limited parking I got lucky.After talking to a park ranger I was informed that all the primitive campsites, that both state parks share, were filled and my only two options were to head toward Brevard to Black Mountain Campground or hike through Caesar's Head State Park to the Foothill Trail and camp there. With only a few hours left of daylight I took the harder route, drove a mile down the hill to another parking lot and the trailhead of Raven Cliffs Trail. Strapped on my backpack and started down the trail. At one point I was suppose to turn right and take the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail but continued left to the Raven Cliffs Falls Overlook. Taking in the spectacular scenery with little time to spare I swiftly hike back and connected onto the Gum Gap/Foothill Trail. Another 3 miles or so I exited the park and continued on the Foothill Trail to a suitable camping site with dusk looming overhead. Tent up, fire roaring, and with supper behind me I succumbed to my exhaustion and a sense of vulnerability of being all alone 7+ miles deep in the rugged forest and retreat to the comforts ( not really ) of my sleeping bag. Bailey and I would always share the sleeping bag whenever we go camping, keeping each other warm, but apparently not anymore. One of us (or both ) has gain some weight and we both can't fit inside the sack any longer. So, loving my dog as much as I do, I got the short end of the covers. Even with my clothes, a pull-over jacket and my new Terramar Helix baselayer pants and shirt, I still froze at around 30 degrees making for a long restless night. Maybe a commercialized campground or just staying home was a better choice, nay. Morning finally rolls around and the sun is working extra hard to raise the temperature to a more bearable level. Breakfast consisted of hot breakfast ham strips, hot cheese grits, and a cup of hot water ( not a coffee drinker, I know ) to warm my soul. Once back on the Raven Cliff Trail I encountered fellow hikers again. Back to the main parking lot I took in all the views the mountain top had to offer. Now it's time to find out what Jonas Gap State Park has to offer. Another limited parking lot and yet lucky again. Without my backpack I headed down another trail. The Jonas Gap Trail is a 5+ mile trail connecting to the lower parking lot of the Caesar's Head State Park. Only hiking a few miles to the Jonas Gap Falls I passed a handful of unoccupied designated primitive campsites that were supposedly filled. With more hiking still in me I took the very strenuous 1.6 mile spur trail up the mountain to Rainbow Falls. Much easier hiking back down to the parking lot. With no more hiking in me left I will have to save the Falls Creek Falls and the Hospital Rock for another day. On the way home I stopped at a roadside stand and bought some hot boiled peanuts to munch on.

Total: 18 miles

Raven Cliffs Falls


Overlook at Caesar's Head State Park

View of Table Rock

Raven Mountain

South Carolina Peidmont

Caesar's Head State Park

Middle Saluda

Jonas Gap Trail

Jonas Gap Falls

Bailey and I at Jonas Gap Falls

Where I stopped to relax and reflect

Foot Bridge

Jonas Gap at Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

BADIN LAKE CAMPGROUND IN THE UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST

After a frustrating day at work, my main objective was to soothe my soul by retreating to the woods. Of course it was a full moon Friday and nothing was going right so Vickie and I decided to go camping at Badin Lake Campground in the Uwharrie National Forest on Saturday. The light drizzle was predicted to stop around 4pm and clear up to blue skies on Sunday. Bailey and I met Matt, Vickie, Kaylee, and Sadie ( their dog ) at the campground. Badin Lake Campground has 35 sites for tent or RV camping, drinking water spigots, flushing toilets, and hot showers. Each site provides a picnic table, grill, fire ring, lantern post, and tent pads. Campsites 7, 9, and especially 11 had the best views right off the lake but they were taken. We did find a double site that fit our needs pretty well. We backed our trucks up to the site, unloaded, and set up camp. Matt pulls out some fishing poles and we all head off about 20 yards behind the campsite to Lake Badin. Matt was using chicken liver while Kaylee and I used Canadian Night Crawlers. Kaylee (5-6 yrs old) was the first one to reel in a bream. I caught 3 breams and 1 striped bass, Vickie caught a bream, and Matt was focusing on catching catfish. All the fish we caught were too small to keep so we kept fishing until dusk. Back at camp we all relaxed by a roaring fire eating cheeseburgers and potato salad. And for dessert, S'mores with jumbo marshmallows. Staring at a roaring fire for an hour or so will shut some eye lids fast. The temperature dropped to around the upper 40's during the night. Perfect weather for me. The morning sun quickly warmed thing up. Full from a hearty breakfast of bacon, sausage links, scramble eggs, and toast, we decided to hike the 5.6 mile Badin Lake Loop Trail. The trail mostly hugs Badin Lake to Arrowhead Campground. It cuts through the campground back to hugging the lake on the other side of the peninsula toward Badin Lake Campground. Kaylee did so well hiking that far. Back at campsite #20 we pack up and head home.

Hike: 5.6 Miles

Sunday, October 13, 2013

FATHER/DAUGHTER HIKE AT ASC GREENWAY

My daughter, Cassidy, called me to go on another day hike this weekend. She wants to get Beason, her 13 week old beagle, acclimated to hiking. The last time we went on a day hike was the Grayson Highland State Park trip to see the wild ponies. Today started off with a delicious french toast with powdered sugar and cinnamon flavor and scrambled egg breakfast. We then loaded up the dogs, Bailey and Beason, and drove to Anna Springs Close Greenway. The same place I visited last weekend but this time I get to share the experience with my daughter. We parked behind the Dairy Barn, paid our fees, and headed down the Blue Star Trail. I showed her the two 200 yr old cabins. One of them being Billy Grahams grandfathers' cabin called the Graham Cabin. We walked along the historic Nation Ford Rd Trail as I explained the history of it but Cassidy wasn't feeling too nostalgic. Beason and Bailey were enjoying being outdoors and hiking. Crossing the 175 ft swing bridge was a challenge for a short legged pup who couldn't even get up the steps. Beason and Bailey were really enjoying being outdoors and hiking around especially with all the loving and comments they were getting from so many strangers. Several staff members at ASC Greenway were exceptionally friendly including a staff member Don Woods who provided treats for our dogs. Beason, being so short and young, really was doing a great job keeping up. We followed the Blue Star Trail passing the campsites and the Rush Pavillion straight to the Haigler Loop Trail. Nice fall weather with a cool breeze in the shade and warm rays in the sunlight along with spending time hiking and conversing with my daughter makes for a perfect day for me. We lapped the lake and followed the trail back to the parking lot passing once again the Fall Frolic Festival ASCG has every weekend during the month of October. Back at home Cassidy and I dropped off the dogs and ate lunch at Azteca Restaurant for a late lunch and to close out our day hike. Thank you Cassidy for sharing the day with me.

Hike: 3 miles