Cat Briar Central – I name this area Cat Briar Central. The cat briars around it were horrendous, and I carry the scars to show for it. +1
Large pool on Piney Creek – I didn’t check how deep, but judging by the color, a few feet.
March 21, 2021 10:55
Piny Creek glinting in the sun – you can get a clear idea of how narrow the hollow gets from this picture. Can’t find the trail? hike down the creek.
March 21, 2021 10:49
The trail is quite clear and easy to follow (In places)
March 21, 2021 10:41
The View from my hammock, Piney Creek Wilderness, Day Two – You are not supposed to camp this close to a water source, but this was the only spot I could find. +2
March 21, 2021 9:20
Looking up Piney Creek – it was a nice view to wake up to.
March 21, 2021 8:59
Camped by Piney Creek – I spent a long time searching for a decent campsite yesterday evening, and the light was rapidly fading when I picked this spot as the best I could find. +2
March 21, 2021 8:58
Piney Creek – the start of Day Two.
March 21, 2021 8:45
Back on the Piney Creek Trail – it’s a 20′-30′ drop to the creek. I was looking for good camping spots. The best are probably at the very start of the Piney Creek Trail. The trail is overgrown and difficult to follow in many places. +1
March 20, 2021 17:36
Woods Trail, Piney Creek Wilderness. +2
March 20, 2021 17:03
The official start of the Woods Trail – Five O’clock, and I still have a fair way to go before I stop for the day.
March 20, 2021 17:00
Piney Creek’s Woods Trail meets the road – It seemed to take forever to get here, but it took just under an hour to hike the 2.6 miles.
March 20, 2021 16:53
Farm Road 2185 – It seemed a very long 2.6-mile hike from the Siloam Spring Trail trailhead to the start of the Woods Trail, one of my last unhiked trails in Piney Creek Wilderness. +1
March 20, 2021 16:47
I’ve been here before – This is where the trail down to Siloam Spring joins the farm road. I didn’t have anyone to take my picture this time, and the lack of leaves to block the sun is making me squinty. Well, that’s my excuse. +1
March 20, 2021 16:10
At the Siloam Spring Trail trailhead – That’s the Siloam Spring Trail checked-off on my list. We’ve been here before. You’ve guessed it, June 2012. One-minute read
March 20, 2021 15:54
Climbing up the ridge – Despite knowing the climb was going to be hard for this out-of-condition aging Brit, I was still surprised at how hard it was. I’m not going out hiking often enough to keep my condition up. One-minute read, +2
March 20, 2021 15:33
Lunch break on the Siloam Spring Trail and plans for my trip – Despite a late start, I decided to stop and have a hot lunch (noodles) along with some tuna. I arrived at the trailhead shortly after 1 p.m. so I was happy with my progress. One-minute read
March 20, 2021 14:39
Prepare to Descend – This is one of two very steep sections on the Tower Trail and one of the steepest sections in the wilderness. +1
March 20, 2021 13:06
I have my COVID-19 jab booked – Who knew? My age, health, and profession mean I am in the current tranche of vaccination recipients.
March 20, 2021 8:46
Packed ready for a four-day trip – Except there has been a change of plan, now it’s only going to be three days. +2
March 20, 2021 8:31
Journal: Checking off all my unhiked trails in Piney Creek Wilderness, March 2021. A three-day backpacking trip to Piney Creek Wilderness. I hiked the last of my un-hiked official trails in this wilderness, I encountered more cat briars than a man ought to and enjoyed some downtime by the lake. Journal: 15 48
March 20, 2021 8:00
Gear Test – Sealskinz waterproof socks. Wet shoes, dry feet – Waterproof sock, and they worked. Now I have a footwear solution for snowy trails. It’s just a shame I didn’t get these before it snowed. One-minute read, +1
February 28, 2021 15:29
Gary on the hike back – All I really need to say about the hike out is that it rained. A lot. +2
February 28, 2021 15:03
All that remains – is a dry patch.