Gary, about to cross Paddy Creek Road — The Big Piney Trail has three road crossings. I’m about to cross Paddy Creek Road, and if things go according to plan, I’ll be crossing it again a few miles further on and after lunch.
Fujifilm X-E3
Pictures taken with my Fujifilm X-E3. This is the third Fujifilm Camera I’ve bought, and the best so far.
Day Two — Camped off of the North Loop of the Big Piney Trail. +1
May 20, 2023 8:47
Junction with the shortcut to the South Loop. Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness.
May 19, 2023 17:31
No one at home — someone has removed the surprise from this trash/swill can. That’s very mean. +1
May 19, 2023 17:10
Lunch Stop — Time for lunch, a cup of tea, some noodles and summer sausage. +2
May 19, 2023 14:57
Junction of the North and South Loops, Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness. For a change I’m starting out on the North Loop (left).
May 19, 2023 13:58
Starting Out — Hiking the Big Piney Trail Clockwise. I’ve taken a day off so that I can spend three days on a slow hike of the 16-mile loop of the Big Piney Trail in Paddy Creek Wilderness. Unlike previous trips, it is forecast to rain on the first day, not the last. +1
May 19, 2023 13:47
Nightstand. Lighter, knife, and wallet — Little quirks that may be missed when I’m no longer around. And yes, I do lay them out like this every night.
April 23, 2023 19:34
At what point does being sensible drop over the edge into being obsessional? Asking for a friend — who likes to squeeze the life out of a toothpaste tube. Sensible or an obsession?
April 23, 2023 15:28
Plans for the weekend — Ridge Runner/Devil’s Backbone. This is the last of my ‘Must do’ winter hikes before spring takes off. I have had two failed attempts at finding where the Ridge Runner Trail joins the North Fork loop. I’ve decided if I can’t find the trail this time, I’ll bushwhack my way.
March 17, 2023 17:15
End of hike selfie — Three nights, four days. Twenty-one miles and 1600 ft. Nothing too strenuous, but I’m nearer to 70 than 60, not to mention having to keep an eye on my heart (well those are the excuses I’m fielding at the moment).
March 6, 2023 16:17
First Creek Crossing, reprise — looking at the leaves, there was no way this was knee deep at any time. Unless the guys I met on day one had really short legs (and I’m short).
March 6, 2023 15:58
Haven’t I been here before? Whites Creek Trail Loop Completed.
March 6, 2023 15:57
Trees, trees, and more trees — And hidden in this picture is an old forest road.
March 6, 2023 15:43
Lunch time snooze in the sun — albeit a very watery sun. Can you see my glasses? No? Neither could I. It took me a lot of searching to find them.
March 6, 2023 15:26
The geology seems a bit different on the south loop. Note the rocks in this picture. Also note the blue blaze. You are not supposed to have blazes in a wilderness, but to save money rescuing lost people, there appear to be some exceptions. But the quality and positioning of the blazes is so poor and erratic, it is just annoying. Well, it annoys me!
March 6, 2023 13:13
Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness.
March 6, 2023 12:48
Cat briar’s revenge — I got myself into a huge patch of them on the third day, and this is the result. It is also why I am resisting being put on aggressive anticoagulants.
March 6, 2023 10:57
Unusual, but it worked — I wanted a tarp configuration that would keep the wind off me, but still let me stand up. +1
March 6, 2023 10:56
My own little spring.
March 6, 2023 10:28
Camped near Whites Creek — This is not where you are supposed to camp, it is far too close to the creek but it was getting dark when I arrived and this is an established camping spot with a fire ring (I didn’t use it).
March 6, 2023 10:27
Whites Creek — All the leaves stuck in the brush are a good indicator of how high the creek got a couple of days ago.
March 6, 2023 10:27
All of this was flooded a couple of days ago. Whites Creek, Whites Creek Trail South Loop.
March 6, 2023 10:25
Day Four — Contemplating life and the view — The view was a bit tangled as the floods had made a huge mess of everything. +1