YotaJosh
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #61
As planned, we all made it to Longpool Campground on Friday night. After a cold night, we hit the trail. Things went smooth until we got off the route near Treat. I was using paper maps and the MVUM maps on my phone, but we ended up on a tight trail (pinstripe city) with quite a few technical water crossings. After hitting the dead end we hoped wasn't there, and doubling back, we lost 3 hours.
After rerouting and getting back on the blue line, we came to the Big Piney crossing on FR1802. I knew it would be wide and probably a little deep, but I had my fingers crossed that we all could do it. I headed right in the creek and knew immediately that the others couldn't do it. After making it across, I had to turn around and come back. In the fury of turning around, Jay got his Jeep stuck in the rotten leaf goo. A quick tug and he was out.
Now we had to reroute again, and backtrack North to Hwy 123. Once we hit the highway, Jay left for home, and we decided to forego our original Saturday camp location and stay at Haw Creek Falls campground. We were tired and didn't want to be on the trail after dark.
After a relaxing night of epic food, a great fire, and some exploring around, we took down camp and hit the trail. Aaron joined us at the campground and tagged along for the Sunday route. We toured the Union School, Spurgeons Cabin, and really enjoyed the route. We tackled some mild water crossings, and an awesome trail leading out of the hollow from the cabin. We skipped the south of the Mulberry route for fear of a deep crossing and followed the river via the safer northern road all the way to Oark. We did stop and check the crossing in question near Oark and it was fine, but we took a good lunch break there and enjoyed the river. After we hit the Oark Cafe, we parted ways and headed home.
Total I covered 70 miles. Enjoy the pictures.
After rerouting and getting back on the blue line, we came to the Big Piney crossing on FR1802. I knew it would be wide and probably a little deep, but I had my fingers crossed that we all could do it. I headed right in the creek and knew immediately that the others couldn't do it. After making it across, I had to turn around and come back. In the fury of turning around, Jay got his Jeep stuck in the rotten leaf goo. A quick tug and he was out.
Now we had to reroute again, and backtrack North to Hwy 123. Once we hit the highway, Jay left for home, and we decided to forego our original Saturday camp location and stay at Haw Creek Falls campground. We were tired and didn't want to be on the trail after dark.
After a relaxing night of epic food, a great fire, and some exploring around, we took down camp and hit the trail. Aaron joined us at the campground and tagged along for the Sunday route. We toured the Union School, Spurgeons Cabin, and really enjoyed the route. We tackled some mild water crossings, and an awesome trail leading out of the hollow from the cabin. We skipped the south of the Mulberry route for fear of a deep crossing and followed the river via the safer northern road all the way to Oark. We did stop and check the crossing in question near Oark and it was fine, but we took a good lunch break there and enjoyed the river. After we hit the Oark Cafe, we parted ways and headed home.
Total I covered 70 miles. Enjoy the pictures.
