MST-11

Little Rogers Road to Baptist Road Hiker’s Lot

I really looked forward to this hike, because at the previous hike’s turnaround point, I had set eyes on an elaborate series of boardwalks and footbridge over Little Lick Creek.

From Little Rogers Road it was a .2 mile connector to the MST.

And here it is, the awesome Little Creek crossing!

Too bad something this exciting was in the first half mile of the hike!

And now, into the woods. This will be a total of 9.4 miles round trip.

I wonder if trespassers have really been a problem…

There was this one short section on a private road, so maybe some hikers missed the turn back to the trail and went wandering up into someone’s driveway.

Once I was inside of the state park boundary, I noticed a lot more understory. And no hunting! Outside the park, although deer and duck season is over, I did notice that it’s still in season for squirrels and doves. I forgot my vest, but I don’t think I look like a squirrel.

Usually.

Hopefully.

The Baptist Road parking lot is where I’ll begin the next hike, but I’m continuing on another mile to the second access point to make that hike shorter. From here I’m making a little loop and returning to this spot before backtracking to the car.

Rolling View Recreation Area. No fees for me!

Second access point, and now I’ll check out the Baptist Road parking lot and circle back to the MST.

Time for a snack on Eagle Scout Margaret’s boardwalk!

When I got back to the Little Lick Creek crossing, I saw the truck of an MST trail volunteer.

He comes out twice a year to tamp down the nails on the planks. He helped build the footbridge. (And he was camera shy and said “No” to a photo.)

He asked me if I had seen the pile of feathers where someone had plucked a duck.

And indeed, I had! Right by where my car was parked. And that cleared up that mystery!

[Some birders have identified it as a Wood Duck.]