Foothills Trail Birthday Hike

[dakotaross]

Doodad, 93AThiker and I hiked a 50mile section of the Foothills Trail last week (10/25-10/29). The section of Burrells Ford via the Fork Mt trail to Laurel Valley was right at 50miles and was what I wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday on the 29th. Unfortunately, Doodad was shorted 12miles as his birthday was on the 26th.

Was a great time on a beautifully rugged trail. Colors were just really starting to turn and there were plenty of leaves still on the trees. Still, there was some leaf drop and I felt like that in some places, a few weeks later and we'd have had some trouble finding the trail. Probably not, but seemed like it could be an issue.

FLRider in his excellent trail report a couple of weeks ago had described some parts of the trail as being designed by a sadistic mountain goat. I have to say that description is not quite accurate. More like a sadistic mountain goat on METH!! But combined with many pleasant flat parts, it was all good.

Here are pics to prove it happened...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scope33...7637268448826/

[Doodad]

Thanks for posting the pics. It was a pleasure hiking with you pros. I hope to return there for another go. AThiker93 picked out perfect hang sites, and one evening he sniffed out a spot that included a spring just a few yards away, so that was cool.

Had no idea the Foothills Trail has so much to offer and it's challenging, too. Waterfalls, sliding rocks, overlooks, lots of footbridges, a trail surface more-often-than-not easy on the feet - what's not to like? Well, maybe that n*t-buster of an ascent up heartbreak ridge, but it's fun to say I did it gasping for breath at the top of the climb.

Also, we met some forum members along the way: CarolinaRazorback and his sons, MonkeyBoy and NeverReady.

If you want to get in the woods and not feel like you're in traffic like on the AT, by all means check out the FT.

[georgecarr]

Great pictures! Looks like a good time. Happy B-day!

[flyhang]

looks like a great trip thanks for sharing

[yooz85]

That's what I did last weekend for my birthday as well. Mine was on the 27th. Great pics thanks for sharing. Happy birthday.

[STinGa]

Hmmm. Looks like the stage has been set. I need to tell my wife that a birthday trip MUST be done at the Foothills Trail. The picture, Lake Jo View 2, is a beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing your trip.

STinGa

[Fluteman]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a fantastic way to spend your birthday.

[old4hats]

Looks like a great hike and you all seem to have had a good time. While you were out doing a meaningful hike, a whole lot of us were camped at the East fork doing what is usually done in such settings, not much of anything. Well, perhaps a few tales were told. We did miss you folks in camp, but truth told, I kinda envied you the hike.

[dakotaross]

To piggyback on Doodad's comments, 93AThiker was a real experienced hiker and it showed. His keen eye for terrain helped us pick some nice, wind sheltered stealth spots, and his experience with when to call it a day probably saved me some physical grief on following days. I came out with no blisters, no bad knees, etc. - just a sinus infection, LOL. Not bad for essentially coming off the couch.

Big high-five goes out to my buddy Steve and his wife Debbie. Met Steve at the top of Whitewater Falls on Saturday where he supplied us with Anderson Valley pumpkin ale and Debbie's pumpkin bread for my birthday celebration - actually doodad's birthday celebration since it was actually his birthday. I chugged two of the ales which seemed to be instantly metabolized. The bread made for a great energy boost then, and I enjoyed the other half for breakfast - yum! I might have to take some pumpkin bread on my next hike.

[dakotaross]

Looks like a great hike and you all seem to have had a good time. While you were out doing a meaningful hike, a whole lot of us were camped at the East fork doing what is usually done in such settings, not much of anything. Well, perhaps a few tales were told. We did miss you folks in camp, but truth told, I kinda envied you the hike.

We would have stayed longer, but there were only like 5 people there Friday afternoon. Well, that was after the church group of 20 in full backpacking gear left. We missed seeing everyone and were a little disappointed with feeling like we couldn't stay there when we had said folks could come hike with us, but in terms of where we needed to hike to the next day, we felt we had to get some of those miles done. I'm sure we missed a big fire that would've been sweet that night. Sounds like others showed later to make it a great hang.