Enterprise South 12.19.2023

 It was a cold, crisp December morning with lots of sunshine to warm the heart.  As we gathered at the Poe Run Path trailhead, the temperature was a wintry 26 degrees with a slight breeze at times.  Twelve courageous hikers huddled up to keep warm and listened to Tim Booth provide information about today’s hike.  Not wasting a lot of time, in order to get the blood flowing, the group nimbly marched along the 1-mile path to the connector road.  One stop was made to check out one of the bunkers, but it was not open to the public.  The group then proceeded over the road to the incline of the Poe Run Overlook and on to the Deer Hollow Trail. At this point, it seemed like it was warming up a bit but probably it was just from the workout.  A quick stop was made at one of the foot bridges, and the team witnessed a rather large buck and doe meandering through the woods.  It almost seemed to be a “staged event”.  The next trek took us around the bend of the Hidden Lake Trail.  Everyone stopped to enjoy their morning snack by the lake.  Some talked by the picnic tables (or listen to Will talk), while others enjoyed the view of the lake from the swings or watch the hawk in the tree.  The group then made the final journey back to the Poe Run Path and Upper Poe Run.  Total encounter was exactly 4 miles and took about 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Everyone appeared to have enjoyed the morning (although I know some were hesitant to get out since it was so cold).  Enjoy the pictures.

 If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike including altitude graphs and maps, click here.  

My friend DAVID had his ID stolen, now he is just DAV.  

Franklin State Forest 12.16.2023

 

 The South Rim Loop Trail at Franklin State Forest Park is made up of sections of at least 4 trails, Outer Rim, Eastern Rim, Western Rim and South Rim.  If you pull up each individual trail map, you will find that upon scrutiny, they don't exactly align.  Hiking in this park and the trails listed, probably shouldn't be attempted without downloading the trail maps using AllTrails or using a GPS system.  The first part of our hike on the western south-bound side of the trail was arduous at best.  The trail was rough and poorly marked.  If you were to travel on this trail and it had rained within the past 24 hours, I think you would be in for a very muddy and harder than usual trip.  This part of our trip was poorly blazed and easy to stray off trail on.  The other side of the loop was much better hiking.  The trail was better blazed and was in much nicer condition.  We made our way to East Rim Overlook and on the way stopped and had our snacks on a Mother Nature provided seat – a long tree trunk that appeared to be made for such an occasion.  We left the overlook and headed westward back to the parking area and I suspect South Rim Trailhead – though it was never listed anywhere as such.  For future reference, this parking area has an abandoned fire tower located adjacent to it. 

  It was a pleasant moderate fall hike with cool hiking temperatures.  Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the hike

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, click here.