A 2-Night Trip with a buddy from Florida
After showing Chuck my backpacking photos he asked if we could do a backpacking trip together. This was his first backpacking trip, and he gets all of the credit for making this one a reality. We looked at a few locations and ultimately settled on a section of the Foothills Trail that I had not previously hiked.
Chuck's suggested building campfires at night and I offered hot meals even though I am lazy and normally just eat prepared food from plastic bags.
Chuck arrived at my house in Athens on Tuesday, November 3 with all new equipment and we left for the trailhead early the following morning.
This gallery includes photos shot by both Chuck and me on our respective cameras.
There was no rain on this trip. Skies were clear with high temperatures in the 60's and lows in the 40's. It was very pleasant overall.
Throughout the trip we saw approximately 10-15 other groups of backpackers.
A photo taken on the road on the way to the trailhead. Millie wants to sit in the front.
Chuck's photo of the scenery
Trailhead at US 178 in Rocky Bottom, an unincorporated community in northern Pickens County, South Carolina.
Hole in the ground next to a water spring
Flatrock Campsite, approximately 2 miles from the car. I am pointing in the direction of travel toward the turnaround.
Chuck photographing a water spring. From what I understand if we end up backpacking in Florida the water sources don't look like this.
Mabel
Chuck's backpack had several pressure points, and the chest strap kept falling off and riding up toward his neck. Despite attempts to improvise a field-fix for this poor design his pack was a continuous source of frustration.
We both agreed that photos taken in the woods do not sufficiently show dramatic elevation changes.
A note left on the sign post.
There was a detour on the trail due to this bridge failing, but we decided to stay on the main trail and take our chances.
Millie
Virginia Hawkins Falls - only viewed from the regular trail (the detour avoided this scene).
If this sign has really been here since 2007 it is impressive.
Tuna for lunch.
After 8 or so miles we arrived at our campsite. After setting down the packs we took a 0.3-mile trail to Lake Jockassee. We would return to this location two more times since it had a good view and it was close to the campsite.
Sign next to the lake
Paul and Millie next to the lake
Suspension bridge leading to campsites. This was just before the campsite we used.
Waterfall near the campsite with the suspension bridge.
Chuck photographing the lake. There were tour boats on the lake.
Chuck building a campfire. Originally I thought that building fires would be too much work and that we would be too tired, but Chuck thought better and I enjoyed both the campfires and hot meals - two things I would not have otherwise done.
Chuck's tent. He used it on the first night only, and I did not set up my tent either night.
Chuck boiling water with the campfire instead of using my stove.
Long exposure photo of the stars taken at the lake after dark.
The following morning prior to embarking on the return trip
Mabel and Millie
The Foothills trail is well maintained and signs like this one are very helpful.
Dew over the lake on Thursday morning.
Paul speaking on the ham radio with David, KN4ZKT, on Thursday evening.
Flatrock Campsite again. This is where we camped on Thursday evening.
Back to the car on Friday morning
