Old blaze — I’ve no idea where it leads, I’m not going in that direction.
Irish Wilderness
Bliss Spring (and lunch) 3.9 miles — On my first visit to Irish Wilderness I made it to Bliss Spring in the first afternoon. Just as well I have an extra day for this trip.
March 4, 2023 13:09
Sinkhole — It was impressive because of how wide it was. I’ve seen a lot bigger and deeper, but it was impressive none-the-less.
March 4, 2023 12:01
Whites Creek Crossing. Apparently, this is where I should have crossed. (Stereo image). +2
March 4, 2023 11:55
Creek? What creek? Someone stole the creek overnight. +1
March 4, 2023 11:51
Spring water, Whites Creek. And in a few minutes I’ll be climbing the hill on the other side of the creek. +2
March 4, 2023 11:49
Camped near Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness.
March 4, 2023 10:37
Camped near Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness, waiting for the creek to drop down. And drop it did!
March 4, 2023 10:36
Morning view from my hammock as the sun breaks through. Not bad last night, it dipped to just below freezing. I was nice and warm.
March 4, 2023 9:16
I’ll wait this one out, Whites Creek Crossing. Irish Wilderness, on the trail to Bliss Spring — I estimated the water to be four-five feet deep, but actually it was only around three feet.
March 3, 2023 16:07
Trail Snack — Raisins, almonds and M&Ms.
March 3, 2023 14:59
Dry Prong, not so dry — The Whites Creek Trail North loop is well-traveled, easy on your feet, and easy to follow, with modest elevation changes. The trail might have been easy, but there were many downed limbs and lots of debris on the trail. Clearing the trail as I went slowed me down significantly.
March 3, 2023 14:49
At the start (or is it the end?) of the Whites Creek Trail Loop — I was last here in May 2021. +1
March 3, 2023 14:10
First Creek Crossing — Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness. on the spur trail that goes to the Whites Creek Trail loop. I made my first creek crossing before getting to the trail proper. Two-minute read, +2
March 3, 2023 14:06
Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Trail Revisited — A break in the weather and work provided an opportunity for me to re-visit Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Loop, which I first hiked in May 2021. I wanted to visit the wilderness in winter to see the lie of the land and maybe even get a good view from the 20-mile trail’s only scenic overlook.
March 3, 2023 12:30
Whites Creek Trail completed – now just to hike the short spur trail back to the parking lot.
May 2, 2021 14:52
The final crossing of Whites Creek.
May 2, 2021 13:03
Fiddler Spring – I took a quick detour to checkout the spring and top up my water. +1
May 2, 2021 12:02
Hello li’l buddy – It’s probably as fast on the trail as I am.
May 2, 2021 11:14
Looking back along Whites Creek Trail – This is fairly typical of the trail conditions I encountered. Note the recently cut deadfalls. At this point, it started to rain, and it carried on raining for the next four hours.
May 2, 2021 11:13
Looking into Whites Creek Cave – No I didn’t go in. I took this picture through the grill using my headlamp at full brightness to light up the cave. There’s nothing to give the picture any feeling of scale. Let’s just say, “Pretty big.”
May 2, 2021 10:54
Whites Creek Cave. +1
May 2, 2021 10:46
Heading up towards Whites Creek Cave – the trail is narrow and the drop-off steep. It appears that most people miss where the trail turns left up the hill to the cave.
May 2, 2021 10:37
Back on the Whites Creek Trail – Whites Creek Float Camp spur trail (branching right in the foreground). Time to head back to the trailhead, seven and-a-half miles of hiking and lots of rain in my future.