\OST

I'm not lost. The notation on today's hike looked like it but is was a slash and OST which stands for Old Settlers Trail. OST is between the Greenbrier and Cosby areas. It is a 16 mile trail. Today, we hiked a middle portion of it accessing it from Rt 321 along an off trail route up Noisy Creek and leaving it likewise at Webb Creek. Someone counted all the stream crossing today. I didn't think there were 31 but he must have counted the easy ones I didn't pay attention to. I'd say there were 5 or 6 crossings that demanded your attention. No one fell in but there were some wet feet. Our guide, Lee Lewis, stood in most of the creeks helping everyone through. I should have asked what kind of boots he had on.

There are many homesites in this area including the highest "still standing" chimney in the park. There is also a wonderful 4 foot wide, 1/4 mile long stone wall built by some sisters. It is extremely well built and looks great today.

Our lunch spot was a snowy homesite by a creek. Again, it was a quick stop for a PB&J sandwich and hot tea.

We stopped at a historic barn just after leaving the OST near Webb Creek. The springhouse was intact as well. I saw moving water inside the springhouse. From here we followed an old road out to Rt 321.