Pine Mountain Trail

Way back in April of 2007, I took my first backpacking trip ever. I hiked the 23 mile Pine Mountain Trail located near FDR State Park. Since then I have had 3 repeat trips aborted because of various reasons. So I decided that my first bp trip on over a year would be down there to finish that trail again. So the morning of Good Friday, I met my friend Salt at the visitors center, obtained our permits and off we went to stage the cars at either end of the section we were walking.

We began our hike at Mollyhugger parking lot and headed east. Very quickly after the hike started, we entered the area of the trail that was hit by a tornado in April of 2011. I thought I was prepared for what I was going to see, but the devastation was astonishing. We walked through miles and miles of areas where very few trees were standing. I have never seen such a sight. But you have to give props to the Pine Mountain Trail Association members. They spent somewhere near 2000 man hours clearing the trail so hikers could use the trail. And they did an amazing job. After a couple of hours we made it to Dowdell Knob, where they have picnic tables, and ate our lunches. After a nice break, we donned the gear and headed on down the trail. Around 3:30 we made it to Big Oak Springs campsite and began the task of setting up camp.

Getting to camp so early actually was a good thing, as I have new gear, and Salt was using Whoopie Slings on her hammock for the first time. I got the warbonnet hung, then she helped me figure out why my underquilt wasn't keeping me warm. Seems like when I put my feet in the footbox on the hammock it creates an opening in the underquilt that traps air. We tried cinching it differently and finally stuffed my puffy jacket in the opening to aid in stopping the airflow. It worked to a certain degree, but if I put both feet in the footbox, I still was feeling the cold on my back. When I went to sleep, I tried different positions and finally found a way to lay in the hammock and keep warm. It must have worked because I went to sleep around 9 and never heard the coyotes in the area that woke Salt up multiple times.

If any of you ever head down to that trail, Big Oak Springs is an excellent site for hangers ;)

Saturday morning I was meeting the Trail Dames to do the last 5 miles of the trail, so we both woke up early, broke camp and were hiking by 7:15. By far my earliest time ever leaving camp. We made it the 0.8 miles to the car by 7:45, Salt delivered me to my Jeep and we said our goodbyes.

Salt, thank you so much for driving down and hiking with me. I really appreciate all your help with gear, and really am thankful you let me talk so much and to work some things out. You are a true friend!

I met up with the Trail Dames at the visitors center, and after shuttling the cars, we started out at Rocky Point parking lot heading to the TV tower at the eastern terminus of the PMT. We headed down the trail around 10:00. The first 2.5 miles were pretty boring scenery wise, but then we hit a series of small waterfalls that

really were nice to see. We strolled through the trail talking, taking pictures and basically had a wonderful time. Just after the last of the waterfalls, we entered another section of the trail that had been hit by the tornados. After spending an hour walking through rhododendron, trees, and lush greenery, it was shocking to come out on the ridge where there wasn't a single tree standing. It was almost like walking in the desert. It was eerie....and HOT with no tree cover.

After the last Dame came off the trail, we said our goodbyes and headed home. This was a bittersweet moment for me, as this was my last hike with the Trail Dames. After a mostly wonderful 5 year experience, I have decided to leave the group. It was a heart wrenching decision, but one that I felt I needed to make. I may elaborate on that later, but I may not.

All in all, it was a good trip, and I am glad I finally finished that trail again.

Until next time.....

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through- Rosalyn Carter.