Today's hike was almost called off due to lack of interest from our Chapter members. I
was scheduled to lead the hike on the Pot Point Loop at our local Prentice
Cooper State Forest with the length being approximately 12 miles. I arrived at
the Red Bank Bi-Lo and immediately met two hikers, Lori (along with her dog
Chance – a golden retriever) & Ed whom had just recently moved here from
Pennsylvania & Connecticut respectively. I waited on the usual chapter’s
Saturday hikers and only John “Speedy” Politte showed up for this one. I guess
the uncertainty of thunderstorms today kept many from showing up but it was a strenuous hike
with high mileage so that may also have discouraged others from coming. We left
Bi-Lo a few minutes after 8:00 a.m. and headed for the Pot Point trailhead where
we arrived and hit the trail at about 9:00 a.m.. We were slightly delayed due
to a dead tree which had fallen across Tower Road and although I knew my truck
could easily make it around on the grassy shoulder I wasn't so sure about Lori’s
car so we cleared a path that allowed us to stay mainly on the graveled road.
I started the hike proceeding in a clockwise direction on the
trail which took us near the Snooper’s Rock Overlook but the clouds were so
heavy this
morning we wouldn’t have been able to view the gorge below so we stayed
on the main trail and I mentioned to the others that once back to the vehicles
we would hike the approximate .3 miles down to the Overlook with the hopes that
the fog would have cleared out by that afternoon. The first Point of Interest
on the trail was the Natural Bridge at about 3 miles from the starting point but
it looked too muddy to scramble down below for a look at the stone arch forming
the bridge so we continued on to the next POI about 3.7 miles later, the Raccoon
Mtn Overlook, where we stopped for a lunch break but due to the heavy tree
growth along the escarpment we couldn't see much more than a small portion of
the river through the leafy branches. So far two strikes for the Overlooks.
But this is where the hike really gets interesting! Somewhere around a mile
after we left the Raccoon Mtn Overlook, prior to reaching the McNabb Gulf
Campsite, Lori and her dog Chance were a short distance in front of me when she
sheepishly turned her head back towards us and yelled Snake! There just beside
the trail, stretched out the largest and most awesome looking Rattlesnake I’ve
ever seen in the wild and actually the first venomous snake I’ve seen on any of
my hikes for this season. She and the dog had stepped just inches away from
its’ head and while she was passing she heard the faint sound of a rattle. The
remaining three of us chose discretion over valor and walked up along the
hillside to the trail, deviating a few feet away and letting it be (best option
for all parties involved – didn’t want to scare the snake). The snake appeared
to be probably digesting a meal due to the enlarged area about half way down
its’ body and seemed to be acting lethargically as it laid beside the trail. It
definitely had his attention focused at letting what appeared to be his most
recent meal settle than creating havoc for us hikers. After a few pics we left
him just as we found him, undisturbed and happily digesting his meal. What a
story to tell our friends and family! On well, back to hiking, about a mile
later we passed through the McNabb Gulf Campsite but even with the rains this
past week it was almost dry and then we proceeded on to Ransom Hollow Overlook
where we were finally rewarded, for all of our hard efforts and near deadly
encounter, with a picture perfect view. About a mile later we passed by the
Hemlock Branch Campsite and then less than .7 miles later we arrived back to our
vehicles where we shed our packs and repeated the hike down towards Snooper’s
Rock. You could continually heard ooh’s and awe’s from the new visitors that had
never been to this Overlook before and after a few pictures by our party we
returned once again to our vehicles where we departed Prentice Cooper with many
more exciting and lasting memories than when we first arrived earlier that
morning!
Oh, for anyone that maybe considering hiking this apparently
little used trail (compared to the Mullens Cove Loop), let me shed some light on
the trail conditions – generally the trail itself wasn't in bad shape but the
undergrowth had enclosed the trail in many areas (which attributed to a number
of chiggers that hitched a ride out on my arms and legs), downed trees were
abundant, perhaps a dozen or more along the twelve mile route that had to be
crawled under or climbed over (some of them could be removed with a good bow saw
but others will require the use of a chainsaw), the faded blazing should be
re-applied, in one place early in our hike, we missed a switchback turn on the
trail altogether but it became very apparent after about 50’ or so when the
trail disappeared so I backtracked and easily found the turn - Happy Hiking and
if you happen to see our friendly Rattlesnake along this trail please give him
my regards! For a few pictures, click here or on the picture to the right.
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