Birkhead Mountains NC Short Hang 2/26-27

**Lighter Knot** · 02-25-2011, 10:33

Originally Posted by rjcress

I still haven't given up, but this danged chest cold still hasn't cleared enough for me to feel comfortable hiking.
Optimistic that by morning I'll feel better and be able to join the group at the departure point... just not sure that my optimism is justified.

I haven't been to Birkhead before. What kind of trail is it? Much elevation change? Very steep and/or rugged?
If it is a pretty easy hike, I'm likely OK. Just not sure I'm up to much up and down steep inclines.

Mac says its easy hiking, the small part I have hiked on it isnt bad at all, rolling hills.

**MacGruber** · 02-25-2011, 11:00

I've done this trail several times, it is fairly easy. Only one section comes to mind where you go up a slight incline, I think its on Robbins Branch right before you turn right on Birkhead trail. I believe its like a 900' elevation climb but its stretched out enough that its not bad at all. The rest is just rolling hills. I have bad knees myself and my wife and I can do the entire loop in 3 hours or so. If your local and have not hiked it, I highly recommend it. After looking at Mac's recommendations, I'm looking forward to exploring some new area's.

**rjcress** · 02-25-2011, 16:47

Trying to find info on Birkhead via google is proving a bigger challenge than I expected. However, I did find a variety of sites listing a quick description of the trails. Most mention that hunters are a hazard during hunting season.

I don't hunt, but I looked up the seasons and found this:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/2010_...11_Seasons.pdf

Looks like this is the last weekend of various small game seasons.
A little extra caution may be warranted this weekend.

**rjcress** · 02-25-2011, 17:22

For those keeping an official count, I'm 90% that I'll be there, and 75% that my 7 year old daughter will join me.

My son was scared away by the idea that he would have to carry at least some portion of his stuff, while walking, up hill at least part of the way, and without the aid of anything Xbox related to entertain him enroute, or at camp. Poor little guy.

So he'll stay home with momma, the Xbox, a live internet connection, and his other sister while I carry most of the adventurous sister's stuff for her.

I think I'll have her carry the HH ULBA that she will use.

So, as of this moment, I expect to be at the trailhead circle/parking lot at 0900 local Saturday morning. With any luck, planning to be there by 0900 will give me a shot of ACTUALLY getting there by the specified 0930 meeting time.

If I'm not there and everyone is ready to start, head on without me and I'll catch up.

I'll be reachable via mobile phone, if anyone needs to reach me... at least until my POS iphone battery dies.
336 area code
686.8339

By the way... I'm pretty new at this hammock stuff. If any of you see me attempting, or actually doing anything stupid... or I should say WHEN you see me doing something stupid, please speak up. Assume that I'm ignorant.

**Backtrack** · 02-25-2011, 18:24

Originally Posted by rjcress

Trying to find info on Birkhead via google is proving a bigger challenge than I expected. However, I did find a variety of sites listing a quick description of the trails. Most mention that hunters are a hazard during hunting season.

I don't hunt, but I looked up the seasons and found this:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/2010_...11_Seasons.pdf

Looks like this is the last weekend of various small game seasons.
A little extra caution may be warranted this weekend.

We will just have to shoot back!

Hope you can make it to the Brikheads with us.

**Backtrack** · 02-25-2011, 18:42

Friday Night:
MacEntyre
Thing1

Saturday Morning: 9:30 Parking Lot
eflat7
Guest1
Guest2
Guest3
Guest4
Backtrack
Guest1
MacGruber
A S U
Guest1
Jcsedbbnc
Groundhog
charley
cbr929 sp (pending work sat, Ill keep everyone posted)
rjcress - 90%
Guest1 - 75%

Undecided:
mbaker
Slowwalk

**Lighter Knot** · 02-25-2011, 21:45

See everyone bright and early!!!!!!!!

**rjcress** · 02-26-2011, 08:09

leaving home now... see y'all there.

**rjcress** · 02-27-2011, 13:10

Great hang everyone
Thanks!

**slowhike** · 02-27-2011, 19:09

I see that Lighter Knot started a Report Thread here...
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29215
I'm looking forward to hearing about it.