Osage Mountain Overlook to Buckeye Creek Trailhead
I have done this section twice now, and I will do it more times in the future as I loved this section, except for a few parts. I did this hike once last year with Eric in October 2014. I did it again July 11-12, 2015. I will be combining the pictures from the two hikes but I will focus this past July 11-12, 2015 as with this hike I did a video of the trip as well.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
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Start Location: Osage Mountain Overlook (40.6 miles) |
35.028970, -83.282089 End Location: Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). Parking Locations: Osage Mountain Overlook (40.6 miles); and Jones Gap (47.8 miles). Views: Reach Osage Mountain Overlook (40.6 miles); Scaly Mountain overlook to south (41.8 miles); Scaly Mountain Summit (42.5 miles); Kieth Day Knob overlook (47.3 miles); Jones Gap View (47.8 miles); Jones Knob Overlook (48.1 miles - side trail 0.4 miles); and Whiterock Mountain view side trail (49 miles). Water Sources: Stream (40.9 miles); Tessentee Creek (45.0 miles). Campsites: Campsite (44.2 miles),Tessentee Creek (45.0 miles), and Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles).Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). BT Distance: 8.5 miles Hiking Distance: 9.6 miles. |
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I did this section with KS. I had met her when we were doing a section on AT. We decided to do the 15.4 mile section between Osage Mountain Overlook to Buckeye Creek. It was going to be an easy overnight hike. Since we only had a 9 mile day, we decided to meet at Buckeye Creek at 11:30 am and shuttle down to Osage Overlook where we would begin hiking north.
We probably started hiking around 12:30 pm. It was a beautiful day for a hike. This section offered many views, some of which I missed the last time I was here. I was excited to do this section again. This was going to be a very short, smell the roses kind of hike. It has been a while since I have had this kind of hike. Usually, I am so focused on getting miles in. |
We started hiking around 12:30 PM. We only needed to hike about 10 miles this day so we weren't worried about time. We decided to do a leisurely pace. We depart from Osage Mountain overlook (40.6 miles), and we cross NC 106 to begin the ascent up Scaly Mountain. The trail in this section is very well maintained as it is fairly active with day hikers. About 0.3 miles into this hike, we crossed a great water source at a stream (40.9 miles) and we cross this awesome looking bridge shown above. The trail continues a moderate climb until you get to a more rocky section of the trail near mile 41.8. Here, there is a short side trail to the right to an amazing 180 degree panoramic view (41.8 miles) to the south. Make sure you continue along the south side of scaly to a bigger rock outcropping to your left. It offers an amazing view to the south where you can see Osage Mountain and Rabun Bald. Do not miss this side trail. It is an amazing view.
Getting back to the BT, the trail continues north and climbing from the view. At 42.9 miles, you cross a small stream right on the trail and shortly thereafter you come across the Hickory Nut side trail (42 miles). From here you have a slightly steeper climb up to the summit of Scaly Mountain, which has a "false summit" with a view (42.3 miles). Shortly thereafter, you reach the summit of Scaly Mountain at 42.5 miles with a pretty nice view. We had climbed 1,300+ feet in elevation in about 1.9 miles. We took a break on Scaly Mountain and decided to head off.
From here continue down over the summit on the other side. The trail for the next 2 miles is very easy and you can really pick up the pace here. However, half a mile before Tessentee Creek Campground the trail gets a little rougher, but it isn't bad. Tessentee Creek Campground (45 miles) has a great water source, a fire pit, and several campsites both near fire pit and old forest road immediately below. We took another break here. We decided to really rehydrate here because there was no water until our campsite at Whiterock Gap more than 4 miles away.
After resupplying water, off we went. The trail levels off briefly and then begins a very short, easy climb. At 45.2, you will find two double blazes on your right. Do not continue down old forest road! Take a hard right here and begin a moderate climb up log steps. The trail here becomes overgrown a bit, but not to bad. The awful sections will come on day 2 of this hike. After a moderate climb, you reach Hickory Gap (46.7 miles). Hickory Gap can be a bit confusing. Just keep an eye out for blazes. You will see a double blaze followed by a side ways blaze. Do not go right or left on the old forest road. Instead cross the forest road and you will see stairs begin a more strenuous climb. As you reach the Keith Day Knob overlook, the trail becomes very, very steep, but it is over fairly quickly and at 47.3 you reach Keith Day Knob overlook just south of Keith day Knob summit. It provides a beautiful overlook, especially in the fall. We took a break here after a more difficult section. At this point, we were less than 2 miles from Whiterock Gap.
From here, we continues to climb for the next 0.2 miles and then the trail levels out at Keith Day Knob Summit. At 47.7 miles you reach this wildlife meadow, which is severely overgrown. Chest high or higher in some areas, but still not the worst section most of the overgrowth doesn't quite make it to the trail. Shortly, we begin a short downhill to Jones Gap (47.8 miles) where you cross a gate and join briefly a well maintained forest road and parking area. You will find a Jones Gap sign. Jones Gap itself is 4,360 feet high. Immediately behind the sign, there is a short 0.1 mile side trail to an rock outcrop view south and west. Definitely worth the trip. Returning to the BT and facing the sign, take a right and go by another gate and continue to climb briefly on old forest road until you reach a meadow at 48 miles.
At 48.1 miles, you reach the 0.4 mile side trail to Jones Knob. The Jones Knob side trail continues straight ahead and the BT takes a 90 degree right turn. You will see a double blaze for the hard right turn. I decided to go up to Jones Knob. It is a pretty step side trail, but short. At 0.3 miles into the side trail, you reach this rock outcrop with a spectacular view. It is an absolute must see. I took a little break here and had my first snack. KS decided to skip ahead and get to camp, but since it was so early, there was no way I was going to skip any views. After s short break enjoying the view, I continued up the side trail another 0.1 miles to the summit of Jones Knob at 4,622 feet. There really isn't anything to see at the summit. I make my way down to the BT again and take that 90 degree turn on the BT. This side trail is blue blazed like many side trails in this area.
From here, we were 1 mile from Whiterock Gap at 49.1 miles. However, at 49 miles, there is a side trail to a rock outcrop with a ok view of Whiterock Mountain. From there, I continued the 0.1 miles to Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). KS had started setting up her hammock and I started setting up my tent. I went down to Stevens Creek about 0.2 miles down from the gap. Stevens Creek was moving fairly well, but it was a little difficult to collect water with my platypus. I could only get 5-6 ounces at a time. Certainty not the worst. I filled up our water and made it back to camp. Ate a quick dinner and we hung up our bear bag. After hanging out and talking for a bit, off I went to sleep. I slept fairly well. KS. unfortunately, did not.
Getting back to the BT, the trail continues north and climbing from the view. At 42.9 miles, you cross a small stream right on the trail and shortly thereafter you come across the Hickory Nut side trail (42 miles). From here you have a slightly steeper climb up to the summit of Scaly Mountain, which has a "false summit" with a view (42.3 miles). Shortly thereafter, you reach the summit of Scaly Mountain at 42.5 miles with a pretty nice view. We had climbed 1,300+ feet in elevation in about 1.9 miles. We took a break on Scaly Mountain and decided to head off.
From here continue down over the summit on the other side. The trail for the next 2 miles is very easy and you can really pick up the pace here. However, half a mile before Tessentee Creek Campground the trail gets a little rougher, but it isn't bad. Tessentee Creek Campground (45 miles) has a great water source, a fire pit, and several campsites both near fire pit and old forest road immediately below. We took another break here. We decided to really rehydrate here because there was no water until our campsite at Whiterock Gap more than 4 miles away.
After resupplying water, off we went. The trail levels off briefly and then begins a very short, easy climb. At 45.2, you will find two double blazes on your right. Do not continue down old forest road! Take a hard right here and begin a moderate climb up log steps. The trail here becomes overgrown a bit, but not to bad. The awful sections will come on day 2 of this hike. After a moderate climb, you reach Hickory Gap (46.7 miles). Hickory Gap can be a bit confusing. Just keep an eye out for blazes. You will see a double blaze followed by a side ways blaze. Do not go right or left on the old forest road. Instead cross the forest road and you will see stairs begin a more strenuous climb. As you reach the Keith Day Knob overlook, the trail becomes very, very steep, but it is over fairly quickly and at 47.3 you reach Keith Day Knob overlook just south of Keith day Knob summit. It provides a beautiful overlook, especially in the fall. We took a break here after a more difficult section. At this point, we were less than 2 miles from Whiterock Gap.
From here, we continues to climb for the next 0.2 miles and then the trail levels out at Keith Day Knob Summit. At 47.7 miles you reach this wildlife meadow, which is severely overgrown. Chest high or higher in some areas, but still not the worst section most of the overgrowth doesn't quite make it to the trail. Shortly, we begin a short downhill to Jones Gap (47.8 miles) where you cross a gate and join briefly a well maintained forest road and parking area. You will find a Jones Gap sign. Jones Gap itself is 4,360 feet high. Immediately behind the sign, there is a short 0.1 mile side trail to an rock outcrop view south and west. Definitely worth the trip. Returning to the BT and facing the sign, take a right and go by another gate and continue to climb briefly on old forest road until you reach a meadow at 48 miles.
At 48.1 miles, you reach the 0.4 mile side trail to Jones Knob. The Jones Knob side trail continues straight ahead and the BT takes a 90 degree right turn. You will see a double blaze for the hard right turn. I decided to go up to Jones Knob. It is a pretty step side trail, but short. At 0.3 miles into the side trail, you reach this rock outcrop with a spectacular view. It is an absolute must see. I took a little break here and had my first snack. KS decided to skip ahead and get to camp, but since it was so early, there was no way I was going to skip any views. After s short break enjoying the view, I continued up the side trail another 0.1 miles to the summit of Jones Knob at 4,622 feet. There really isn't anything to see at the summit. I make my way down to the BT again and take that 90 degree turn on the BT. This side trail is blue blazed like many side trails in this area.
From here, we were 1 mile from Whiterock Gap at 49.1 miles. However, at 49 miles, there is a side trail to a rock outcrop with a ok view of Whiterock Mountain. From there, I continued the 0.1 miles to Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). KS had started setting up her hammock and I started setting up my tent. I went down to Stevens Creek about 0.2 miles down from the gap. Stevens Creek was moving fairly well, but it was a little difficult to collect water with my platypus. I could only get 5-6 ounces at a time. Certainty not the worst. I filled up our water and made it back to camp. Ate a quick dinner and we hung up our bear bag. After hanging out and talking for a bit, off I went to sleep. I slept fairly well. KS. unfortunately, did not.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
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Start Location: Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles).
End Location: Buckeye Creek Trail Head - Parking (56 miles) | 35.083940, -83.343012 Parking Locations: Buckeye Creek Trail Head - Parking (56 miles) | 35.083940, -83.343012 Views: Whiterock Mountain Overlook side trail (49.6 miles); Fishhawk Mountain (51.5 miles); and Wolf Rock Overlook (51.6 miles). Water Sources: Stream (3.9 miles); Tessentee Creek (8.0 miles), and Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles).Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). and Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles).Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). , and Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles).Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles). Campsites: Whiterock Gap (49.1 miles); dry campsite (52.4 miles); and dry campsite (). BT Distance: 6.9 miles Hiking Distance: 7.7 miles. |
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We decided to sleep in a little since we had such a short hike back to KS's car. By the time I started getting up, I heard KS was already outside. By the time I got out of sleeping bag and changed back into hiking clothes, KS was ready to go. She decided to go on ahead while I took my time packing up. 30 minutes later, off I went.
Shortly after leaving Whiterock Gap, I came to Whiterock side trail (49.5 miles). The side trail continues forward and the BT takes a hard 90 degree right immediately before the side trail. It is a 0.3 mile, blue blazed side trail to an absolutely amazing view on Whiterock Mountain. The summit offers the best views of the trip by far. It was simply stunning. The mountain itself is cool as you are an a huge rock outcrop that, if wet, could be dangerous. Luckily, the weather was perfect this day. I spent 15 minutes alone just taking this view in. Simply. Amazing. A must see. |
Leaving Whiterock Mountain, the trail becomes significantly more overgrown. In some sections, it is down right awful. The worst portion of the trail. The worst part of any trail I have hiked. The trails descends briefly and then short ascent up Little Fishhawk Mountain (50.4 miles). It offers no views. 0.2 miles later, you reach the side trial to the summit of Fishhawk Mountain (50.6 miles). The trail is very, very steep. I struggled with it. It is also incredibly overgrown and difficult to follow in certain sections as a result. There was also a deadfall that made it difficult to navigate. I never made it up to the summit as a result. I was really close. I am pretty sure I could see the summit, but I couldn't made it through the deadfall and overgrown trail. At the summit, there should have been a plaque commemorating William Bartram and some decent views. Maybe next time. Also the sign says 528 feet, which is obviously wrong or I somehow made a mistake and did not do the trail properly. It was much more than 500 feet. With no where left to go, I turned around and made sure to follow the blazes and see if I missed a turn. I didn't see it. Oh well. What can you do.
From here, the trail begins a series of short downs and ups until you reach Wolf Rock Overlook. However, to get to Wolf Rock Overlook, I crossed the worst section in history. It was waist high and you simply could not see the trail. It was awful. Eventually, you reach Wolf Rock Overlook for a small view at 51.7 miles.
From here, the trail is less overgrown and is a constant, 2,200 foot + descent down to Buckeye Creek Trailhead (56 miles). Shortly after leaving Wolf Rock Overlook (51.7 miles), I reached this small possible campsite (52.4 miles). I missed it completely, but allegedly it exists according to my guides. About 1.2 miles later, you reach an old school bus (53.6 miles) right next to the trail. It is incredible to think how it got there. I did not think I was traveling on a old forest road. I have no clue how it got there. From the school bus, the trail continues to descend until you reach the intersection (53.7 miles) of the new re-route and the old Buckeye Creek Trailhead. We did the old BT section. Maybe one day I will do the new re-route.
At 54 miles, you have the last campsite (dry) for over 16 miles as once you get to Buckeye Creek you start a 14 mile road walk. The next campsite is at Wallace Branch. At 54.25 miles, you join an old forest road and take it all the way down to Buckeye Creek Trailhead. Once you get onto Buckeye Creek Road, take a left and you will find the parking lot no more than 100 feet from where you come out of the woods.
Next the road walk.
Previous Section: GA-NC Line To Osage Mountain.
Next Section: Buckeye Creek Trailhead to Wallace Branch Trailhead - The 14 Mile Road Walk.
From here, the trail begins a series of short downs and ups until you reach Wolf Rock Overlook. However, to get to Wolf Rock Overlook, I crossed the worst section in history. It was waist high and you simply could not see the trail. It was awful. Eventually, you reach Wolf Rock Overlook for a small view at 51.7 miles.
From here, the trail is less overgrown and is a constant, 2,200 foot + descent down to Buckeye Creek Trailhead (56 miles). Shortly after leaving Wolf Rock Overlook (51.7 miles), I reached this small possible campsite (52.4 miles). I missed it completely, but allegedly it exists according to my guides. About 1.2 miles later, you reach an old school bus (53.6 miles) right next to the trail. It is incredible to think how it got there. I did not think I was traveling on a old forest road. I have no clue how it got there. From the school bus, the trail continues to descend until you reach the intersection (53.7 miles) of the new re-route and the old Buckeye Creek Trailhead. We did the old BT section. Maybe one day I will do the new re-route.
At 54 miles, you have the last campsite (dry) for over 16 miles as once you get to Buckeye Creek you start a 14 mile road walk. The next campsite is at Wallace Branch. At 54.25 miles, you join an old forest road and take it all the way down to Buckeye Creek Trailhead. Once you get onto Buckeye Creek Road, take a left and you will find the parking lot no more than 100 feet from where you come out of the woods.
Next the road walk.
Previous Section: GA-NC Line To Osage Mountain.
Next Section: Buckeye Creek Trailhead to Wallace Branch Trailhead - The 14 Mile Road Walk.
October 11-12, 2014
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Start Location: Osage Mountain Overlook (3.6 miles)
Mid Location: Jones Gap (10.8 miles) End Location: Reach Osage Mountain Overlook (3.6 miles) Parking Locations: Osage Mountain Overlook (3.6 miles); and Jones Gap (10.8 miles). Views: Reach Osage Mountain Overlook (3.6 miles); Scaly Mountain Summit (5.5 miles); Jones Knob (10.4 miles). Water Sources: Stream (3.9 miles); Tessentee Creek (8.0 miles). Campsites: Campsite (7.2 miles),Tessentee Creek (8.0 miles). BT Distance: 7.2 miles Hiking Distance: 10.2 miles. |
I was late, yet again. However, this time Eric was very late. I was supposed to be there before 10:00 am; however, I took a wrong turn and didn't figure out I was heading the wrong way until about 10 miles later. I got to Osage Mountain Overlook around 10:30 am. I waited for about an hour for Eric to show up. The first order of business was deciding what we were going to do. I still wanted to finish the GA Bartram Trail. However, Eric had looked at the weather and with a late start thought it would be best if we kept this hike short and sweet. He suggest hiking to Tessente Creek Campsite and camping there for the night. It would be a very short hike. I wasn't a fan of the idea simply because it wouldn't get me to a trailhead so I wouldn't have to do this section again. I convinced him to go another 2.8 miles passed that to Jones Gap, which had a parking lot. He agreed and off we went around 12:00 pm.
About 0.3 miles into this hike, we crossed a great water source at a stream (3.9 miles). Since we had a full complement of water having just started the hike, we pushed on. It is an approximately 1,200 foot climb up to Scaly Mountain (5.5 miles) in less than two miles. During the ascent you reach Hickory Knut Road side trail and Scaly Mountain switchback at 5.0 miles.
From here you begin the slightly steeper ascent to Scaly Mountain Summit (5.5 miles). It was rainy all morning. The summit was very wet and slippery. I took a pretty nasty fall near the summit on a wet rock. I was completely horizontal with the ground when I feel hitting my hip and elbow hard of the ground. I had attempted to use my wally world trekking poles to stop my fall and in the process bending one quite bad. Eric said I should be lucky I didn't buy carbon fiber trekking poles because they would be shattered. Instead, I was able to bend the poles back to nearly the perfect condition and I have used these sames poles on numerous hikes ever since.
I limped my way to summit; my pride as well as my body hurting. Far more careful and slower then the speed I had been setting. The summit, initially, was completely clouded out. There was no view. Although I didn't voice it at the time, I started to curse this day. I wanted to turn around. Not only did I take a gnarly fall, I was hurting and had the prospect of no views for the rest of the day. I thought to myself, regardless, I am going to have to come back. At this point, I had contemplated making this website, but it was little more than an idea. However, I did want pictures of the summit on clearer day at least regardless of the use for this website.
Luckily, the dense cloud cover started to dissipate, and I was able to get some decent pictures from the summit of Scaly Mountain. Faith restored, we decided to continue hiking and we began our steep descent down Scaly Mountain to Tessente Creek (8.0 miles). We got there around 3:00 pm. We had at least 4 hours of daylight and only 5.6 miles to go. After some talking about what we should do, we decided to push on to Jones Gap. We refilled on water and decided to try to make it back here for camp after reaching Jones Gap.
From here we began a gradual climb up to Hickory Gap (9.7 miles). We left Hickory Gap around 4:15 pm, and pushed onto Jones Knob (10.4 miles). This climb was very steep in sections, but it was fairly quick. It was over before it began. We reached Jones Knob (10.4 miles) around 4:30 pm. We were greeted by an amazing fall view from Jones Knob. We must have spent 10-15 minutes on the Knob and it was well worth it. We had ample time to make it back. I am so happy I didn't quit and say let's turn around on Scaly Mountain. I am sure there is a lesson here; but I am also sure I am too stupid to figure out what it is.
We set off from Jones Knob and made it to Jones Gap (10.8 miles) around 5:10 pm. We snapped a few pictures and turned around making our way back to Tessente Creek Campsite (8.0 miles). We stopped again at Jones Knob to take one last eye full of that amazing view.
We arrived at camp around 7:00 pm. He had about an hour of daylight. We pitched our tents with great difficulty as the ground there was very rocky and our lightweight stakes had trouble going into the ground. After some fiddling with location and some digging, we got out tents up just before dark. We quickly made our meals and by then we were both in our tents.
That night, we had a constant light rain. In the morning, everything would be wet. I would have to face the rocky Scaly Mountain again in the morning.
We broke camp fairly early. We had less than 5 miles to hike back to car. Less than 3 hours easily. We hiked together up to the summit of Scaly Mountain. Here, Eric took the lead and I told him to go on ahead as I was NOT going to have a repeat fall. I slowed down to a crawl. My feet still slipping despite my deliberate and slow pace. I enjoy hiking, but at least a small part of the reason I enjoy it is because I can cover some distance. I average between 2 and 2 1/2 mph fairly easily. For this 1/2 mile stretch, I wasn't even going 1 mph. I was miserable. I hate wet rocks. I hate anything that slows my pace. Eventually I made it down to Osage Mountain Overlook, where Eric had already began cooking his lunch. I decided to have lunch at home and after talking for 10-15 minutes, we went our separate ways.
Another section in the books with some amazing views from Scaly Mountain and Jones Knob. Also, a very humbling experience with the fall. I began to think that I was this pretty good hiker because I was doing days most hikers I talked to on the trail could not do. I learned the only reason I could do them is because I had been blessed with perfect weather. Let the trail get wet, or god forbid, snow and icy, and I couldn't do a 10 mile day. If that was the case, my enjoyment of hiking would go down tremendously.
Another great hike.
About 0.3 miles into this hike, we crossed a great water source at a stream (3.9 miles). Since we had a full complement of water having just started the hike, we pushed on. It is an approximately 1,200 foot climb up to Scaly Mountain (5.5 miles) in less than two miles. During the ascent you reach Hickory Knut Road side trail and Scaly Mountain switchback at 5.0 miles.
From here you begin the slightly steeper ascent to Scaly Mountain Summit (5.5 miles). It was rainy all morning. The summit was very wet and slippery. I took a pretty nasty fall near the summit on a wet rock. I was completely horizontal with the ground when I feel hitting my hip and elbow hard of the ground. I had attempted to use my wally world trekking poles to stop my fall and in the process bending one quite bad. Eric said I should be lucky I didn't buy carbon fiber trekking poles because they would be shattered. Instead, I was able to bend the poles back to nearly the perfect condition and I have used these sames poles on numerous hikes ever since.
I limped my way to summit; my pride as well as my body hurting. Far more careful and slower then the speed I had been setting. The summit, initially, was completely clouded out. There was no view. Although I didn't voice it at the time, I started to curse this day. I wanted to turn around. Not only did I take a gnarly fall, I was hurting and had the prospect of no views for the rest of the day. I thought to myself, regardless, I am going to have to come back. At this point, I had contemplated making this website, but it was little more than an idea. However, I did want pictures of the summit on clearer day at least regardless of the use for this website.
Luckily, the dense cloud cover started to dissipate, and I was able to get some decent pictures from the summit of Scaly Mountain. Faith restored, we decided to continue hiking and we began our steep descent down Scaly Mountain to Tessente Creek (8.0 miles). We got there around 3:00 pm. We had at least 4 hours of daylight and only 5.6 miles to go. After some talking about what we should do, we decided to push on to Jones Gap. We refilled on water and decided to try to make it back here for camp after reaching Jones Gap.
From here we began a gradual climb up to Hickory Gap (9.7 miles). We left Hickory Gap around 4:15 pm, and pushed onto Jones Knob (10.4 miles). This climb was very steep in sections, but it was fairly quick. It was over before it began. We reached Jones Knob (10.4 miles) around 4:30 pm. We were greeted by an amazing fall view from Jones Knob. We must have spent 10-15 minutes on the Knob and it was well worth it. We had ample time to make it back. I am so happy I didn't quit and say let's turn around on Scaly Mountain. I am sure there is a lesson here; but I am also sure I am too stupid to figure out what it is.
We set off from Jones Knob and made it to Jones Gap (10.8 miles) around 5:10 pm. We snapped a few pictures and turned around making our way back to Tessente Creek Campsite (8.0 miles). We stopped again at Jones Knob to take one last eye full of that amazing view.
We arrived at camp around 7:00 pm. He had about an hour of daylight. We pitched our tents with great difficulty as the ground there was very rocky and our lightweight stakes had trouble going into the ground. After some fiddling with location and some digging, we got out tents up just before dark. We quickly made our meals and by then we were both in our tents.
That night, we had a constant light rain. In the morning, everything would be wet. I would have to face the rocky Scaly Mountain again in the morning.
We broke camp fairly early. We had less than 5 miles to hike back to car. Less than 3 hours easily. We hiked together up to the summit of Scaly Mountain. Here, Eric took the lead and I told him to go on ahead as I was NOT going to have a repeat fall. I slowed down to a crawl. My feet still slipping despite my deliberate and slow pace. I enjoy hiking, but at least a small part of the reason I enjoy it is because I can cover some distance. I average between 2 and 2 1/2 mph fairly easily. For this 1/2 mile stretch, I wasn't even going 1 mph. I was miserable. I hate wet rocks. I hate anything that slows my pace. Eventually I made it down to Osage Mountain Overlook, where Eric had already began cooking his lunch. I decided to have lunch at home and after talking for 10-15 minutes, we went our separate ways.
Another section in the books with some amazing views from Scaly Mountain and Jones Knob. Also, a very humbling experience with the fall. I began to think that I was this pretty good hiker because I was doing days most hikers I talked to on the trail could not do. I learned the only reason I could do them is because I had been blessed with perfect weather. Let the trail get wet, or god forbid, snow and icy, and I couldn't do a 10 mile day. If that was the case, my enjoyment of hiking would go down tremendously.
Another great hike.