I had a few hours free this morning after I dropped the kid off at school and wife off at work and decided it was a great day for a hike. The weather had temps in the low 40s and gray clouds loomed overhead threatening to add even more water to the trail, already muddy from 2 days worth of rain. I decided to hit Sections 16&17 of the Falls Lake Trail (part of the MST). I've been waiting for hunting season to end so that I could get out do this 50+ mile trail in a series of day hikes.
It was a quick out and back of around 5 miles total through hardwoods and pine forests. It amazes me how quickly some of the forest around here switch. It is as if there is a magical line where on one side only hardwoods can grow and on the other only the pines. Seldom do the two types of trees mix along this trail.
Pine Side.............................................. .........................180° turn, Hardwood side
What I love about this trail is that it is constantly bobbing you deeper into the woods to see old homestead sites and then back out to lake, providing splendid views the whole time.
Once I was half way back to my car I decided to get my lunch rehydrating. Babelfish5's Trail Burritos with Spicy Bean dip replacing the regular refried beans, cooked with a variety of gifts. Stoic 700ml Titanum pot from my Secret Santa and the Chinese stove a PIF from millergear. The combo boiled the water needed flawlessly.
Was a good hike in the woods that made me just tired enough to want a little nap when I got home so I setup my Lean Green hammock with my PLUQ and tossed on the oversized winter sock I made to fit my larger hammocks.
And here you were wondering when the hammock was going to come out weren't you?
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