Jan 21 Baker Mountain

 

Baker Mountain located just southwest of Hickory is considered part of the South Mountains. Although it tops out at 1755' the park's trail does not go all the way to the top. A cellular/communication tower sits atop the peak and is closed to the public. This observation deck is located at the end of the hiking trail. 

The views are to the north. Grandfather and Tablerock were the easiest to identify. I have not seen this view of the Catawba River Valley before. A broad flat land is situated between South Mountains and the Blue Ridge. I counted 9 water towers in the Hickory area. I tried but could not make out the Uwharries nor Sauratowns. 

Baker Mountain Park is part of the Catawba county parks system. They have 4.5 miles of trails on 189 acres. The main loop trail to the top and back is 2.8 miles. All the other trails interconnect with that loop trail. 

The park has a lot of Mountain laurel and some Rhododendron. Chestnut oaks dominate the forest. 

This chimney is the remnant of a 1917 hunting cabin. It appears to have been a tiny one.

The magical Sourwoods

On my way to Black Mountain, this was the perfect stopover for a vigorous hike. 

Jan 7 Ramsey Cascade Old Growth Forest

 

I scouted this hike last month and now am back hiking it with Wilderness Wildlife Week. The main attraction for most folks is the waterfall but I think the old growth forest is the real star of this hike. So much of the land here was cut during the 1910-1940 era, it is surprising that this tract did not. The spot pictured above is about 1/2 way to the waterfall. It is in a group of Tuliptrees which just invites selfies like this one of Susan here. 

Same tree except looking up.

A big buckeye

A big Black Cherry

More big Tuliptrees

Ramsey Cascade

Jan 2 Hickory Creek Access to Mayo River SP

 

Back for a second time in greenmon's folly is the Tetradactyl Sourwood. This is a remote off trail area in an undeveloped, recently added part of Mayo River State Park, yet this tree makes its second appearance in my blog. Sourwoods can grow every which way and this one proves that. 

It looks like a firetower but this is a 2 story enclosed deer stand with a internal and external staircase.  The tower is located in a long field with long range shooting lanes. 

Somewhere in there is Snakeskin liverwort. This is a rather small colony of it. There is a much larger area nearby that I was unable to locate on this hike. 

Our hike today was following a couple scenic creeks which feed the Mayo River. The creeks are rocky and in deep gorges. This is a fun area to explore. 

 

Dec 28 Octopus Tree at Huntington Beach

 

Special trees get named - Angel Oak, Pinchot Sycamore, General Sherman etc. The practice has gotten a bit silly in some cases. Today I came upon the Octopus Tree while birding at Huntington Beach State Park. First, I started the day with coffee and a a sunrise as seen above. We were not oceanfront but still had nice seats for this sunrise. 

While poking around the upper pond at HBSP, I slipped up on this snoozing Black crowned night heron. It looks headless but just has its head tucked in. The bird briefly unfolded but I wasn't quick enough to get a head shot. 

Live oaks grow like this with many many trunks rising from the root system. It shades a large spread out area. This one obtained a name "Octopus" .