This past weekend I hiked an intervening twenty mile section that helped me complete my first 65 miles of trail. We hiked from Cherry Bend access to Lick Branch. Ten miles per day keeps one pretty busy most of the daylight hours during the winter months. We hiked up to Hare Mountain in the morning of the first day and had lunch there. Then, we hiked down along Morgan Mountain and came to the Spy Rock spur after which we started running into to a lot of water fall photo opportunities, and finally to Herrods Creek where we wet crossed to the campground on the other side. The campground areas were wet from the heavy rain which fell last Wednesday. But we were able to camp there and find some dry firewood. I wish I had taken some photos of the campground, fire and night sky, but I’m generally too tired by night fall. After supper I usually get in the tent and sleeping bag to warm up and crash.
On day two, it was cold, and I took off before every one else to warm up. Up the trail I shed some layers and finished my breakfast in the sun. I enjoyed the solitude and the stream running along the trail. I made it about three miles up the trail before anyone caught up with me. Dale and I made Indian Creek where we ate lunch and waited for the rest of the group. We had heard the creek was high, but it had come down overnight and the wet crossing was fairly easy.
The afternoon hike held some great scenery and took us through a pine forest and into the canyon at the Paul A. Marinoni Scenic area. This is a special place.
Here is the photo gallery. Enjoy!
© 2012, Scott Branyan
