Hey guys, thought I'd throw together a report of my backpacking trip this last weekend. I got to Panthertown Valley, NC around 6 pm on Saturday, and set up camp at one of the first campsites on the Mac's Gap trail. The rain started about the time I got to the campsite, and a few minutes later I was under my tarp, setting up the hammock and hoping my DIY tarp would hold up to its first real thunderstorm. I settled in, did some reading, and dozed off to a drizzle, only to be awoken by claps of thunder and the sound of gigantic raindrops pummeling my tarp. I guess my seam sealing was adequate, because I stayed completely dry
Woke up with the sun the next morning, packed up camp, and hit the trail for the short hike up Big Green Mountain. The clearly-marked trail followed a gradual incline, ending at a fork where I met two hikers trying to decide which way to go. They had just come from the left and reported nothing, so I went to the right. The trial got really narrow and was only marked by a few taped limbs, but I made my way down to a small clearing on top of the cliff face. It was a spectacular view, so I sat down, made some tea, and enjoyed
Back down the mountain, I followed the Great Wall trail to the bottom of the cliff face I was just on top of. It was a crazy perspective; the steep rock face was smooth and curved, and it made me appreciate just how high up I had been on top. From there I went to Granny Burrel falls, where some kids were sliding down the rock into the pool at the bottom. Connected back with Mac's Gap -> Panthertown Valley -> Green Valley -> Mac's Gap -> Little Green, up to the summit of Little Green Mountain. The top was a lot like Big Green, but more open and level than its big sister. I couldn't help but laugh at all the ground dwellers drying out their clothes and tents on the rocks
After some dawdling, I continued down the Little Green trail to Schoolhouse Falls, where I would spend the night. The falls were gorgeous, like something out of a Bob Ross painting, and I took the path around the pool behind them and enjoyed the cool spray. I set up camp a few hundred yards downstream, pitched the tarp in porch mode, and fell asleep to the sounds of the insects.
I woke before the sun Monday morning and decided to eat by the Falls. Whipped up some tea and trail mix and watched the sky over the waterfall, enjoying what I thought was my last sight before heading home. I headed back to the trailhead, changed into my riding gear and loaded up the bike. I was on the road no more than a couple minutes when, coming out of the bushes on the left side of the road, I saw a huge black bearApparently my motorcycle was too loud, and I woke up Mama and her babies or something, because she did not look too happy to see me... Luckily, she was coming out of the left side, and I was going fast enough to speed past her before she could get into my lane. I hate to think what could have happened if I had been a couple seconds behind, or if she had been on the right, but in the moment, I knew I was safely away, and all I felt was exhilaration - this was the first time I'd ever seen a bear! I laughed for about a mile down the road.
Comparatively, the trip home was uneventful, although I must say that 178 South is a fantastic road for motorcyclistsAll in all, it was a great trip, made even better by the fact that I was using all my DIY hammock gear...so once again, thank you to everyone on this site for your willingness to share.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks