Hike up Heartbreak Ridge

Just outside Old Fort, NC, at the edge of the Pisgah National Forest, in the heart of Pisgah Gamelands a trail rises up from the valley to the top of Pinnacle. The climb is steadily up for 6 miles, then rises at a much steeper rate for the final push to the top. Ouch. However, it is hard to beat the view from the top. It is wilderness in every direction. Mt Mitchell and Black Mountain dominate to the west and a sizeable gulf crowds the southwest.

We were not the only ones on the mountain this day. Plenty of bear hunters and their Plott Hounds were out too. I did not see any scat of other bear sign so I don't know how many bears inhabit this area but I suppose there won't be so many bear hunters if there weren't any bears.

I did see an owl silently make its way through a thick spruce forest. Once on top, it was a joy to see the ravens playing in the thermals. I watched one repeatedly drop something red, swoop down and snag it midair.

Thanks to Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club and David Memory for organizing and leading this memorable day in the mountains.

Biking Pine Creek Trail

When I first read of this trail, it was described as one of the most scenic in the East. I'd never heard of Pine Creek but soon learned it is also referred to as "the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". It follows Pine Creek in a stunning valley from Wellsboro to Jersey Shore just west of Williamsport.

I accessed the trail north of Jersey Shore and rode to Waterville and back, about 25 miles. The trail is the widest rail trail I have ridden. Wonderfully graded and gated and fenced too. For much of my short ride, I followed a somewhat busy road which did detract from the experience. However, the views are stunning. The "creek" is a river by most standards. It looked like a wonderful canoe float too.

When I arrived in Waterville, I noted a lodge and a tavern in addition to a convenience store with a snack bar. This would make a great overnight stop. The trail continues on over 60 miles to Wellsboro which is a quaint tourist stop.

This trail is definitely on my short list of trails to ride. I can't wait to get back on this one.

Biking on the Airline Trail

In 1873 a railroad route between Boston and New York City was constructed. It was the shortest most direct route possible, like a line in the air. There is no other reason such a railroad would link Putnam, Willimantic and East Hampton Connecticut. Most rail trails have a coordinating entity, like a state park or land conservancy, this one does it. It appears to be built and maintained by the towns it travels through. Hence, there is always someone in the middle who doesn't follow along. I found this out after biking 23 miles from East Hampton to the Willimantic River where there was no passable bridge. So I turned around and rode back. Original plans were to continue on to Thompson and spend the night. As a result, I didn't travel beyond the Willimantic River and no idea what that portion of the trail is like.

It was a colorful ride. Foliage was a bit past prime but still very nice. The trail had some unique infrastructure. The two original 1000+ foot trestles were replaced long ago by filling them in with stone and dirt. They are called viaducts but resemble earthen dams (without a lake).

Not many folks were out in the rain so I had the trail to myself most of the time. I sure was hungry by mid-afternoon. I had planned to eat in Willimantic but never got there and there were no other services along the trail.

Someday I'll finish riding this trail and perhaps the spur to Colchester as well.

More Photos of this ride

A walk to Springer Point

Everyone associates Ocracoke Island and Blackbeard the pirate. Well, this is the place he hung out, just off Springer Point. Ocracoke Inlet between Ocracoke Island and Portsmouth Island was the best route from the Atlantic into Pamlico Sound and the many colonial era towns on the mainland. Just outside the inlet was a perfect hiding spot for pirates. It was hidden from view from ships entering and leaving the inlet. Ocracoke Island rises up to its highest point near here and there is a little cove, referred to as "Teach's Hole".

Today Springer Point and the nearby forest is protected by the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. They allow access along a footpath. Live oaks and coastal red cedars dominate the tangled forest. There is no parking at the only trailhead so it is often a private place. Take a walk through with me.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Not open to the public and never will. The stairs leading up this 75 foot tower go straight up and with a ladder and hatch at the top. However, this lighthouse is my favorite. It is the oldest operating in the US. Right next to it is a small cemetery. The Lightkeeper's home is now a private residence.

Hatteras Lighthouse

This place is a gem. Look at the beautiful base, the tiled floors and the huge two story fresnal lens, now removed.

It is 257 steps to the top. Not everyone makes it. Lots of Americans are out of shape. And it is windy up there. On this day, it was calm on the ground but 25+ mph winds at the top. The next day when Nanci visited, it was almost 60 mph winds and she was the last one up before it closed due to the winds.

From the top you can see the Rodanthe water tower, 25 miles away. You can see the cape and all the fisherman congregated there. You can see the spot where it used to be and the swath that was cut to move it.

Controversy on the Outer Banks

We visited North Carolina's Outer Banks this past week. I was completely unaware of bitter battle raging between residents, mostly on Hatteras Island, and the National Park Service who manages Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Two years ago, the Audubon Society and others sued the NPS over failure to regulate ORV use and failure to protect several threatened and endangered species, including the American Oystercather, Piping Plover and various sea turtles. As a result of that lawsuit, the NPS has begun a process to regulate ORV use on the beaches. This includes closure of beaches to ORV in the vicinity of turtle nests. I viewed a map of the island called a "status map". It showed every known turtle nest. Apparently that map is constantly being updated. I was told that each nest is monitored by volunteers. During critical periods when eggs are about to be hatched, they are monitored 24 hours a day. The hatchlings make a mad dash to the sea, usually at night. They are easy prey for gulls and other birds. Tire tracks can make an insurmountable barrier preventing them from making it safely to the ocean. Additionally, nighttime driving with headlights disorients the hatchlings.

Due to the various beach closures, locals claim businesses are suffering. Fisherman still have 41 miles of beach to drive on but avoid areas with numerous closures. you drive down Rt 12 you'll see many homemade signs making reference to keeping the beaches open. the really nasty signs have all been removed. Earlier this year, businesses were refusing service to NPS employees and posting very pointed and unsettling signs. Rumor has it that a visitor to the area contacted the ACLU which advised the businesses that denial of service to government employees was a felony. This brought down many of the signs.