Yesterday, I went with Piedmont Hiking and Outdoor Club (PHOC) to Hanging Rock State Park to hike the Indian Creek Trail that leads from the Dan River to the Hanging Rock Parking area on top of the mountain. It was a 4.7 mile trip up with about 1000' of elevation gain. Then back down. The weather was very hot with a high in the lower 90's. However, most of the trail was in nearly complete shade and although a little humid, it wasn't unbearable.
The first 2/3 of the trail are easy hiking. It was mostly up hill but not dramatically up hill. The trail was narrow and lead through lots of rhododendron next to Indian Creek. There were several stream crossings that barely required getting the bottom of our feet wet. There is not much in the way of "views" on this trail, although the creek was cool. You know how I like moving water. It was a nice hike through the forest.
The last 1/3 of the trail was another matter entirely as the trail started working up the side of the mountain leading to the parking lot. This was steep stair stepping. After passing Window Falls, a nice little 15' waterfall that you can walk up behind and put your hand, or head, into the water, the trail climbed steadily for a half mile or more. At this point, I was stopping often for breaks. My legs, my lungs, and my heart were all crying loudly that I should not go any farther.
I pressed on and once at the top was glad to have made it. We went to the Visitor's Center for some A/C and a bathroom break and then ate our lunches at a picnic table under the trees. After lunch, we re-traced the trail back to the cars. I have to say, going down is much easier than coming up!!
All in all, it was a good day for me. I know where I am physically now, and I'm glad I didn't pick the more difficult hike that was available. I have some work to do before going on more strenuous hikes.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Dan Nicholas Loop Trail - 6/19/2010
Friday night, the boys and I went back to Dan Nicholas Park to hike the two mile loop trail in the woods. Elijah had been sick off and on all day, so I wasn't sure how he would do. When we left, he was in a good mood and wasn't fevered at all.
Earlier in the day, I had bought myself and Elijah new backpacks. Conner had his Diego backpack. We carried water, apples, and Cheez-Its. The boys were very cute in their backpacks.
Before we even got to the trail, Elijah was asking me to carry him. I kept saying, "No" hoping that he would tough it out and walk the trail. But he kept asking and since he had been sick during the day, I carried him on my shoulders for most of the way. Every once in a while, he would ask to be let down to walk, but it was never long before he wanted back up. I thought it was good practice for hiking with a full pack.
Conner was bored on the trail. They both kept asking how far it was back to the playground. When we were near the end of the loop, both boys started asking if we could just turn around and go back. I don't think they understood the loop trail idea. I explained that we were closer going forward than if we turned around and went back.
Finally, we made it out of the woods and back to the car which was parked at the playground. It was amazing. The boys were suddenly, without explanation, full of energy. They ran and played on the playground until it was time to leave.
I asked Conner tonight if he liked the hike. He said it was boring. He said he would like to do a trail that went up to the top of a mountain. To be fair, the trail was mostly flat and the scenery was pretty boring. In all, we walked about three miles. It was a good start. I'll have to find something more difficult but not too long for our next outing.
Earlier in the day, I had bought myself and Elijah new backpacks. Conner had his Diego backpack. We carried water, apples, and Cheez-Its. The boys were very cute in their backpacks.
Before we even got to the trail, Elijah was asking me to carry him. I kept saying, "No" hoping that he would tough it out and walk the trail. But he kept asking and since he had been sick during the day, I carried him on my shoulders for most of the way. Every once in a while, he would ask to be let down to walk, but it was never long before he wanted back up. I thought it was good practice for hiking with a full pack.
Conner was bored on the trail. They both kept asking how far it was back to the playground. When we were near the end of the loop, both boys started asking if we could just turn around and go back. I don't think they understood the loop trail idea. I explained that we were closer going forward than if we turned around and went back.
Finally, we made it out of the woods and back to the car which was parked at the playground. It was amazing. The boys were suddenly, without explanation, full of energy. They ran and played on the playground until it was time to leave.
I asked Conner tonight if he liked the hike. He said it was boring. He said he would like to do a trail that went up to the top of a mountain. To be fair, the trail was mostly flat and the scenery was pretty boring. In all, we walked about three miles. It was a good start. I'll have to find something more difficult but not too long for our next outing.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Dan Nicholas Park Lake - 6/13/2010
Our first hike together was at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, NC. We were there on Friday, June 11 in the evening. It was hot during the day, but as the sun started setting, the temps dropped off. It was still a bit humid, but it was not unbearable. We had planned on taking the hike through the woods, but it was too late in the day to start that. So instead, we settled on the trail around the fishing pond. The trail is flat and wide. It is well maintained with gravel most of the way. The entire trail is about a mile long at the most.
The boys thought the whole idea was cool. They don't really understand why we walk just to be walking. Conner was pretty good about the whole thing. Elijah, with his short attention span, lost interest and started asking if we were almost done yet. Elijah fell and scraped his elbow a little bit, but he's a tough kid. They thought the large steel bridge was neat.
About halfway around, we came to an area where people were fishing. A woman had lost her phone trying to catch minnows for her kids to use as bait. We let her use our phone to call her phone, but we didn't have a signal either. We also passed a camping area. The boys want to go camping there, but it is way too hot at this time of year for camping there. Everyone camping there was in RV's with air conditioners running full blast. Perhaps this fall, we'll go up there and camp a couple nights. But I'd rather take the short drive to the mountains and camp somewhere cool.
Our next trip is planned for next weekend. We are going to take the longer hike through the woods at the same park. Should be fun.
The boys thought the whole idea was cool. They don't really understand why we walk just to be walking. Conner was pretty good about the whole thing. Elijah, with his short attention span, lost interest and started asking if we were almost done yet. Elijah fell and scraped his elbow a little bit, but he's a tough kid. They thought the large steel bridge was neat.
About halfway around, we came to an area where people were fishing. A woman had lost her phone trying to catch minnows for her kids to use as bait. We let her use our phone to call her phone, but we didn't have a signal either. We also passed a camping area. The boys want to go camping there, but it is way too hot at this time of year for camping there. Everyone camping there was in RV's with air conditioners running full blast. Perhaps this fall, we'll go up there and camp a couple nights. But I'd rather take the short drive to the mountains and camp somewhere cool.
Our next trip is planned for next weekend. We are going to take the longer hike through the woods at the same park. Should be fun.
Getting started...
I have always had a love of being outdoors. I enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, and most other outdoor activities (except fishing). Most of my working life has been in construction where I spent most days in non-atmospheric controlled environments. I want my young children to love being outdoors as much as I do and to instill in them a strong desire to participate in outdoor activities. In addition to this, it is a time of priceless memories that they can carry with them through their lives of things we have done and seen together on our adventures.
Conner (5) and Elijah (3) love being outside, and we take family vacations camping in the Smoky Mountains. So this will not be something totally new and foreign to them. Planned hiking with packs and destinations is not something we have done much of. Elijah's short legs give out on him very quickly (compared to mine) but he is growing. I have been waiting impatiently for the boys to be old enough to start doing this, and I am excited at the prospect of getting started.
As of now, we do not have gear. So part of this blog will be tracking our gear acquisitions as well as our trips.
Conner (5) and Elijah (3) love being outside, and we take family vacations camping in the Smoky Mountains. So this will not be something totally new and foreign to them. Planned hiking with packs and destinations is not something we have done much of. Elijah's short legs give out on him very quickly (compared to mine) but he is growing. I have been waiting impatiently for the boys to be old enough to start doing this, and I am excited at the prospect of getting started.
As of now, we do not have gear. So part of this blog will be tracking our gear acquisitions as well as our trips.
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