Since the Christmas holiday is generally stressful and depressing I decided to bug out with the dogs for a hike right at the Winter Solstice - when the days are the shortest. I departed my house early Tuesday morning and after a 2.5-hour drive I started hiking just after 9:00AM. Originally the plan was to hike the Fires Creek Rim Trail counterclockwise during a 1-night trip in the opposite direction that I hiked the previous May.
On Tuesday morning when I started hiking there were no cars in the parking lot. Since it was December 22 that didn't surprise me.
After hiking on the road for less than a quarter mile the trail diverged from the road and began a steep incline for the next couple of miles.
Closeup of the sign visible in the previous photo. I don't know what "72" means, but I navigate my hikes with a GPX file loaded into my GPS, and so far it's been very reliable. On my May 2019 hike much of the trail was difficult to navigate because of overgrown vegetation and fallen trees. The parts of the trail that I hiked this time were easy to navigate, but that might be because I did not reach the sketchy parts.
Trail markings are blue blazes with the usual double blaze indicators for switchbacks, turns, and trail merges. I was able to listen to Bulldog 93.3 with my iPod touch's FM radio on parts of this hike.
There were several alternate trail paths to help mitigate erosion.
National Park Service boundary - sign on the ground in the middle of nowhere. Mabel doesn't seem to care.
As we ascended civilization is visible in the distance. This is a telephoto shot, so it's further away than it looks.
Water is more scarce compared to my other hikes. I reached this one at noon, so I ate lunch here (tuna and crackers) and filled up my water. This water location was one I used last time. Somebody replaced the "W" sign. Last year it was in pieces on the ground.
After this water source the trail climbs steeply. Just before the dogs and I were cresting the hill, there was a rustle in the bushes and the dogs took off after a big black animal. I heard a yelp, and then the dogs came back along with a wild boar. This is a dangerous invasive species, and it approached within 40 feet of where I was standing. I decided to yell at the animal, and it ultimately ran away. Deciding it best to turn around rather than proceeding in an area where there might be more trouble, we walked a safe distance from the threat and I inspected the dogs for injuries. Seeing none, we backtracked to the car, thus making this trip a day hike rather than an overnight trip.
This situation could have turned out much worse than it did. My utter defenselessness was frightening, so I decided that I will be armed on future backpacking trips. While I will only shoot as a last resort, it is important to have a means of defense.
There were several orange ribbons tied to trees throughout the hike.
There are tons of these signs. They Should say "Boar Sanctuary."
Many steep hills. The camera never does them justice.
Millie began to drag behind, and she appeared to be in some kind of pain. Originally assuming joint pain, I sweet-talked her in an attempt to comfort her on the return to the car. Then I noticed she would sit down and lick her paws.
I noticed that all of her paws were bleeding. Apparently the terrain was injuring them. Millie is 9 years old, so she is likely more susceptible to the troubles nature poses. Mabel was unaffected.
Poor dog. Millie has always made me feel safe on these hikes. I am nearly certain that she would lay down her life defending her pack. Mabel has traditionally been more fearful of the unknown, but at 3 years of age she is starting to show more bravery in the face of danger.
Millie never used to be a lap dog, but in her old age she enjoys my presence more than ever before. Notice how she is avoiding contact with her paws.
Mabel
Although the return to the car involved significant elevation loss, it seemed nearly as strenuous as the first part of the trip; likely because of the continuous rolling hills.
Once I returned to the car there were several cars in the lot and multiple people at the nearby creek. I departed at approximately 4:45pm.
Map of the cities near the hike. All of this hike was in North Carolina. Distance hiked was 6 miles each way for a total of 12 miles.
