A couple of days after my overnighter at Loft Mountain I decided to go for a day trip. I entered at the Rockfish Gap entrance and drove about 12 miles to the Turk Branch parking lot. I decided I would hike the Turk Branch Loop which is 7.5 miles with about 2,000 total feet of ascent and descent.The loop crosses both the Turk Branch Creek and the Moorsmans River several times before connecting with the AT after about 4 miles. I probably saw about 15 other hikers and I chose to step off the trail 10 to 20 feet to keep my distance rather than mask up and pass closely. It was good to see all but two, who were trail runners, mask up when they saw me. I did have to tell one hiker to "hold on a minute" while I retreated about 50 feet to a spot where I could get a comfortable distance off the trail. Again I hiked with a full pack with a couple days of food and two liters of water and my shoulder was fine. I was tired after the 7.5 miles and definitely will have to continue to build back up my daily mileage. The book said it was a 4 hour hike and I did it in 3.5 hours with a lunch break and all that stepping off the trail so I felt really good about my pace.
"Dazed and Confused"
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference