Black Mountain to Ozone Falls, a 7.2 mile hike, up &
down (mostly down) the bluff & gorges of the Crab Orchard area. We started
with 12 hikers & ended with 12 hikers, a very good thing! When we stopped
for lunch, we realized a hiker was missing. Calling his name, whistling – no
response. Using technology, we had enough cell service to call him. The call
went to “leave a message.” Left a message- where are you? Texted-where are you?
A moment later, he returned our call! He was alive & well, still on the
trail but behind us. Had something to do with a restroom break, seeing a bunch
of people dressed in white pass by him (was he having an angelic vision?) &
waiting for us to catch up to him. Confused? Yeah, me too. He finally caught up
to us. So very happy to be reunited! Hugged him then slugged him for causing us
to worry. Later wondered if he was on blood thinners & the punch to the arm
could cause bleeding. Good thing we just took our first aid class – we know how
to treat excessive bleeding!
The trail was well blazed, leaf-covered, rocky especially
around the falls which was still flowing. We had 1 slip & slide area where
3 of us fell down a short ravine, but no injuries. The trail is beckoning us to
return in the spring, when the falls will be raging with water & flowers
will be decorating the hillsides.
If you would like to see some very nice photos of this hike, click here.