MST-6

Penny’s Bend to Red Mill Road

This hike marks the end of the Eno River Trail system and the beginning of Falls Lake, although I could still get an occasional glimpse of the river through the trees.

There were three main difficulties along this hike. First was this section of the Old Oxford Highway and bridge crossing the Eno, because there was very little shoulder. to walk on. Fortunately, traffic was light.

Secondly…..UH OH! It’s hunting season in the Falls Lake Game Lands.

I’m not exactly dressed in vibrant, neon colors.
So I did a lot of singing and noisy walking. I’ll wear a vest on the next hike, for sure!

Due to recent storms, the creeks were full and there were a couple of downed trees over the path, but nothing insurmountable.

Although the little creek was sharing the MST, I could walk on the higher ground to the left.

I perfected a hiking stick-flick to move a lot of smaller branches off the trail from yesterday’s wind-storm, and occasionally I stopped to shove away larger logs. I remember my dad doing this when we were hiking!

Love me a good bridge!

And then I came to this much more substantial Creek-meets-Trail. I tried to go around, but I didn’t want to go so far off-trail and get turned around, so I did my best with dragging little logs for stepping stones.

My. Feet. Got. Wet.

Lesson learned–I need to take my time and explore all the options. (I brought in way more logs on the way back and crossed successfully).

The turnaround at mile 19.3 was at this uninteresting parking lot off of busy Red Mill Road, so I back-tracked half a mile to a more pleasant place to stop for a snack and drink.

The Shelf Fungus shared their log with ME.

I decided to check out the campsite that through-hikers can use. It’s on private land.

Wow! What a beautiful site this family has provided! I think this would be a welcome stopping place for a night.

I did hear some rifle shots and a lot of dogs barking across the river, but it sounded like a training exercise.

That’s me singing nice and loud!