Uwharrie National Forest

     We have spent the last 2 weeks hiking around the Uwharrie Forest.  Not a large forest only 50,000 acres.  We got on the trail where it crosses 109 and head south to the Dutchman Creek loop.  I have been told there would be many different kinds of wildlife to see.  The only wildlife we saw were Boy Scouts.  This hike was a warm up for our AT trek next month.  We traveled up and down the rolling hills tromping through creeks and heavily dense second growth Pine, Elms, & Walnut trees.  Pushing through Hollies and rhododendrons.  We had lunch on top of Dark Mountain a nice view looking over the rolling hills.  Lunch was quick and back on the trail.  Our decent back into the valley could have been faster if we jumped out about 4 feet.  Of course the sudden stop at the bottom may have hurt a little.  I was grateful we were descending and not ascending it was nearly a vertical drop.  Would of been hand over foot ascending.  As we returned back to the Uwharrie trail we headed back north.

     As we reached the Dutchman's Creek Campsite we joined up with another scout group.  Just as we started setting up camp the rain came.  Daniel Tyler and I got our tent and hammocks up and I collected some firewood before everything was soaked. We all laid down for an hour or so.  I was entirely spent. The longest hike, 10 miles with a forty pound pack, I've taken since my youth.  We woke around 5 and started dinner.  Still raining I got a warm fire going.  As we ate Scouts wandered in and out of our site enjoying our fire.  Many asking how I got the fire going.  "Didn't you see me collecting wood when it first started to rain" I asked.  The scouts were kind of funny they put their food up in a bear bag.  I told them from time to time I have herd of a bear in the forest.  I was more worried about rats, squirrels, & rattlesnakes.  That rattled them and they went off.  Tired from the long hike we ate & talked awhile then off to bed around 8pm.  The rain woke me a few times during the night but I slept well.
     Around 6:30am 2 birds sounding like a car alarm woke me up.  First thing I realized was that it wasn't raining.  I got up; dressed, dropped my tent, got the boys up, they got ready and we started hiking out.  Only 5 miles out!  However they had to be the longest.  Two miles in and my legs were rubberized lead.  Each rise of my leg brought effort.  As my feet hit the path my legs wobbled from fatigue.  The path seemed to get longer with the knowledge that a strenuous climb was still in front of us.  We would talk about most anything to take our mind off of the pain in our bodies.  Trying to laugh just to distract ourselves of what laid ahead.  Then we were at the foot of our last climb.  Looking up, the path looked impossible.  Then I realized why I enjoy hiking.  Once you commit to the path there is no turning back and no giving up.  You must finish, no way to get out without walking.  So up and out I went.  My stride shrinking from 2.5 feet to maybe 6 inches.  Reaching the top the sound of cars from the road brought hope.  Every turn of the trail brought us closer and further.  Each bend I would hope to see the Subaru but nothing.  Finally there she was I made it 15 miles, wet, rain dripping from my hat, and totally worn out I struggle for my keys started the car & turned on the heater.

    What did we learn?  Maybe 30 miles in 3 days is to much.  While even in hard conditions we survived and overcame.  Those old dumb stories I have can be distracting.  Once we commit to the trail do or die no stopping until we find the end.  The journey is the fun!