Leaning against a tree catching my last breath and thankful to be standing. Sometimes I question my actions after the fact and have no good answers. Earlier in the day I had laid my tired weary body on a huge downed tree, just to relax for a moment, and when I lifted my right leg I fell off of the precarious bed and landed hard on the forest floor. First thought, That wasn't as planned. Second thought, Arm not broken. Third thought, Now I got to get up! I struggled to put my butt on the downed tree and sat debating this days agenda.
Bull Pen Trail! Easy hike, 6.3 miles in and out. Destination hike, goes to the Chattooga River. Ellicott rock is located nearby, the point where SC, NC, and Georgia meet. I've not yet seen the rock but hope today is the day. It has been a great day, leaving the house at 6am, stopping for a biscuit, cool ride down Hwy 11. There is a detour on 130, easy to follow and I soon arrived on Bull Pen Rd.
Me and my truck drove past the trailhead and parked a little ways down the road on the right. A clear spot is there and a road leads into the woods, it is blocked with a gate but ample room for hikers to park. I walk back to the trailhead and begin! An agreeable walk into a canopy of trees with a gradual incline, wonderful start to a tremendous walk in the woods. This part of the ramble is up and down with one tolerable steep hill to climb, I climb it and try to rest on a log as I near the top. You know what happens there. I continue toward the Chattooga river after a drink of bottled water and a Granola bar boost my enthusiasm. The Fork Mt. trail joins my trail, according to the sign I'm 2.2 miles in. So I'm calculating just over a mile to this river. I think it is safe to say that it is all down hill from here on out. Some sections are steep with switch backs helping to make the descent manageable but still challenging. At times I hear the river. At times I feel a breeze on my face. At times I see a drop off beside the trail. I neither see nor hear other humans. It's not loneliness surrounding my being but solitude and peace and a natural spiritual calmness.
The trail has narrowed to a footpath and I push through small brush when I enter the small clearing near the flowing water. I mentally mark the path so I can find my way back out. It's a beautiful river and clear and cold. I would love to wade in it and maybe take a quick swim but being alone I wisely stay on the bank. I find a log to sit on and snack and then I lay beside it and nap for 30 minutes. My trek up the mountain wouldn't be so bad if I take my time and enjoy the walk. Well I'll tell you, it's a climb! I pass two couples on their way down as I pant my way back to the trailhead. Not an interesting event happened as I made my way through the switchbacks and along the simple path to Bull Pen road and my truck.
It's a good hike, I recommend it.
In the woods,
Turtle
