NC BACKCOUNTRY: November 2013

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