May 30-Jun 1 Uwharrie Trail Through Hike

Wild Ginger Bloom

The Uwharrie Trail hike organized by Crystal Cockman of The Land Trust for Central North Carolina was really two journeys in one. The 40ish mile hike along the Uwharrie Trail was a very nice "long weekend" outing. The second journey is the trail itself and how it came to be. Conceived in the early 1970's by Joe Moffitt in his role as a scout master; his original trail was modified many times and then huge gaps were lost for various reasons. The rebuilding of the trail has been a journey embraced by Crystal and her small cadre of trail enthusiast. Through the generosity of many committed persons, the trail is staging a rebirth. 

Crystal had arranged for a 3 day and a 4 day hike of the entire trail. I enlisted in the 3 day version which called for 8 or 9 of us to catch up to the 4 day group by hiking two days worth of trail in one day. Through some last minute logistics, I was able to do this 20 mile day with just a day pack. With my two buddies, Will and Jim R along, we had lots to talk about. Although not hot, humidity was very high and I was sweating profusely all day. 

Lady Trusses 

We were met by trail angel, David Gardener at two road crossing. Our progress was slow. Will thought it was too slow and we were tiring due to the pace. On the last leg, the three of us, moved out ahead. We had an extra mile or more to hike due to our having to retrieve our backpacks at a road crossing beyond the group campsite designated for the night. We made it to the crossing and barely walked 1/4 mile further before finding a spot to camp. It was late, between 6 and 7. Our night was short. The humidity continued and finally during the night, rain came.

Crossing Spencer Creek

Will and I lay in our tents the following morning, wondering when the rain might end. I was able to briefly see a radar weather website and it looked promising. After gathering up our gear, we walked back to the road crossing and there was Jim R getting his morning shuttle back to the trailhead. He had gone out to dinner last night and met my wife in the restaurant while I was sweating in the tent. All is forgiven, we can load our packs in his car and retrieve them in the evening. So it is another day with only day packs.

Our early morning hike over Dark Mountain is a breeze. We meet a couple folks at the next road crossing who are joining the main group. However, we are probably hours ahead of them at this point. We push on so we can hike at our pace today. It is still late morning when we cross over Little Long Mountain. The trail here is heavily overgrown despite some weed whacking having been done. I'm afraid this section will require constant maintenance throughout the year. later in the day, the main group will cross this exposed mountain in full sun and there were some sunburnt heads in the evening.

Deformed or Manipulated Tree on UT

About noon we stop for lunch after crossing Kings Mountain. Here we meet David Craft, doing some trail maintenance. He stops for a nice chat and soon we are both off in different directions. About this time, we start the off trail portion of the hike. The National Forest Service has yet to approve the route we have designated through this section. Until approval is given, we have only flagging on trees to lead us through here. I thought I could easily find my way, having been here so many times during the scouting process, but with the leaves on the trees it looks like a different place and I have to search for the flagging in fear of getting lost.

We manage the route with only a few glitches and are on the road for the 1/2 mile road walk to the Milliken Farm and our camp for the evening. We are the first hikers to arrive and are greeted by many generous folks. Eight pork shoulders have been in the smoker since 4 or 5 in the morning. A port-a-potty has been rented for our use and there is beer donated by Natty Greenes in Greensboro. First order of business is to dry out all the wet gear. It is sunny and a perfect day for doing that.

We had wonderful pork barbecue  that evening with the standard issue of cole slaw, smoked beans, corm bread and beer. Now this is camping! I had a very restful sleep. During the night a cold front passed through. We had light winds and low temperatures.

My Saturday Campsite

Our group of three was on the trail early. Our last leg is through the Birkhead Wilderness, an area I know intimately. We breezed through the trail and were finished before noon. What a great weekend outing.