Well after two Wilderness experiences you know...first was the Sipsey and the Sipsey Mile, now I can add the Citico Mile. Most of us spend time on 'groomed' trails like the AT,PCT, and others. What I now know is that if it says 'wilderness' you better plan differently especially when it comes to distances and time.
This hike was by the invitation of Wisenber and it was great hiking with him. We met up with Coy and Tipi Walter on Bobs Bald after leaving Beech Gap...the climb up was uneventful but still ended up setting the hammock almost at dark. At 5400+ feet it was nice and cool, the next morning much cooler and really pleasant. The drop off Bobs Bald goes in my history books---what we thought was a 6-7 mile day was really a 12+ mile day and 4-5 miles of it was hiking where a trail had once been (wilderness), serious bushwacking and averaging at times 0.5mph. Sad thinking that the trail we were dropping on is almost gone.
Second nighs camp after the drop and crossing Slick Rock Creek 11 times found us in the good company of Tipi Walter again, and Sgt.Rock and family---so impressed watching his mom dealing with a hammock! Dixie Critter I've read about but never met-glad I did and Rock's sons are good people just like their dad.
The hike out had a bit of gain, 1200-1300 feet and was easy at first via the Stiff Knee, but the last mile of it was devoid of pleasantries-very steep, eroding side trail and major HEAT and HUMIDITY. Far Gap never looked so good! Still wonderful experience yet another area and wonderful as always being with the hiking family.
Here's the vid:
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