Date: 2004-04-25
To: Pre A.T. hike on the Uwharrie Rec. Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived at Hwy. 24/27 entrance to Trail at 3:15 and begain hiking about 3:30. Trail made a gradual descend and then serverial small ups and downs with creek crosings about every mile or so. After about 2 miles, we ascended Dennis Mt. from 300' to 732' in less than 1/8 mile. This was the hardest climb on the trail. After more ups and downs and creek crosings we stoped at 7:30 to set up camp beside a creek. Before we finished setting up camp and preparing our meal of Ramen Noodles w/Tuna and hot cider for drink it was dark and we were finishing by head lamp. We were in tents by 9:00 and sleep came soon but with it being the first night out on the trail sleep was interupted often because of aches and pains from rocks under the tent or just from aches and pains from steep clims and decends. For the most part though I sleep and got some rest. Charlie said he knew I slept some because he woke with me snoring often. Friday April 23,Awoke about 6:15 just breaking light. Crawled out of tent after looking outside to make sure there was not something coiled up waiting for me to step on it. Threw some water from the creek into my face (so much for a morning bath) to wake up, brushed the dead possum out of my mouth and started prepairing breakfast of grits, coffee, Cereal bar and pop-tart. was back on the trail about 10:00. Many more ups and downs (this trail doesn't reach very high elev. but it is constant ups and downs with roots, rocks and fallen trees to either climb over or under a real work out and great practice for the A.T. At about 1:30 we were both geting low on water and as we crossed Hwy 109 we encountered out first Trail Angle. A couple in the parking lot when we ask for directions to the nearest store where we could get some water she offered to give us some bottled water she had in the back of her suv. This sure beats having to filter from creek. We walked another 3 hours and set up camp besid a nice wide creek at 5:00. Another supper of Noodles, Lipton dinners, hot cocoa with dried fruit and cereal bars. After supper I dicided to try and wash off some it had been hot and I was smelling rank. I stood on a rock in the creek and washed off best I could with my bandana hoping no ladies were coming down the trail. I kept my shorts around my ankles so I could pull them up quickly I need be. Charlie was trying the same thing later while I was getting ready to crawl in my tent for the night. I heard something which sounded like a 200 lb. bag of potatoes being thrown into the creek. When I looked through the trees toward the creek all I saw was legs, arms,and Charlies head trying to get up out of the creek. He had dedided to take his shorts off to bathe better but when his shorts got tangled in his tevas (sandles) his other foot slipped of the rock he was standing on and in the creek he went. After that, he dicided to go ahead and take a good creek bath. I was in the tent before dark and slept better that night because we were tired and more used to the sounds and the rocks under the tent.Saturday April 23,Awoke about the same time 6:15 another peep outside the tent for creepee crawles or anything else that bites. Another splash of water in the face the same taste brushed out of my mouth and another breakfast of grits, pot-tarts and Cereal bar with coffee. On the trail earlier this morning and started the trail back to the 24/27 trail head. Came across a group of scouts at Yates Place camp groune about noon and the scout masters gave us enough water to fill our bottles up. There was also a pit tollet there which worked much better than a cat hole. after a lunch of bagel with much peanut butter we headed on back the trail. We stoped at the same camp site we used Thursday night and about 5:00 and set up ate supper of Mac & cheese with Tuna mixed in (goooood).In the tent again before dark for another night of sleep and rest. Sunday April 24,Up at 6:30 looking forward to to the climb of Dennis Mt. and returning to 24/27 trail head. Made good time this morning and returned to Parking lot about 11:30. I was wet all over with sweat and couldn't see riding home with wet cloths on. I am usually very moddest but I guess I'll have to get out of that when I get on the A.T. so I practiced today in the parking lot by stripping down and putting on some dry clothes before heading home. A very good hike all 3 days and 3 nights of camping. We learned of some things we needed but didn't have and some things we had that we didn't need to carry. Very good practice hike and we both felt good with no aches or pains which lasted. READY FOR THE A.T. CAN'T WAIT ONLY 5 MORE WEEKS UNTILL LEAVING FOR KATHADIN.More later next entry may be from the A.T.