Suggs Mill Pond Game Land to Ruskin Road (eastbound)
August 14. With an extra mile for route-finding, this ended up being an 18.5 mile hike–but the plan was to do 17.6.
I kind of forgot that sunrise is getting later every day!
I need to readjust my alarm clock.
But visibility was fine by the time I got my boots on and everything squared away with my car and backpack.
I had been looking forward to this section of the MST, because after so many miles of roads in previous segments, there are almost six miles heading through a more natural area.
Suggs Mill closes to hikers in September for several months of hunting, so it was imperative to get this part finished in August.
Can we cue the shark music from Jaws?
- The next two miles of road were flooded
- I did not even think about bug repellant
- There is extensive logging going on and the printed MST-guide does not reflect current conditions
- I lost the printed guide when I stopped to poop
I was not actually LOST, but neither was I on the right road.
FarOut to the rescue!
A couple of months ago I purchased the MST trail guide on the FarOut app. I had never used it before, so there was a little bit of an in-the-field learning curve, but I definitely figured out where I was–and where I should be.
After some bushwhacking and backtracking, I was back on-route, and making brisk, mosquito-slapping progress through Suggs Mill Pond Game Land.
Once I got to Lake Road I was on more solid ground. I could relax and really enjoy this part of the MST.
I passed by two noisy colonies of Red-headed Woodpeckers. (photo from August 2022)
This memorial honors Dohn Broadwell, who was a successful real estate developer and avid duck hunter and conservationist. Hunting and fishing licenses comprise 20% of North Carolina’s Wildlife Commission’s annual budget–which helps preserve sites like Suggs Mill for a variety of recreational uses.
Besides bug spray, I’ll add an extra pair of socks to my backpack next time.
It’s another 15 miles with wet feet!
Farewell, Suggs Mill Pond Game Lands. It was an adventure, for sure.
Live Oak Methodist Church Road was a nice transition between the Game Land and the asphalt.
3.8 miles along Gum Spring Road gave me the opportunity to bring out my devotional for the day and think about God. “To enjoy Thee is life eternal…”
That is some serious property protection going on there.
Even when they’re empty, the swine trailers smell really…..bad.
All the creeks I crossed were running quite swiftly and over-capacity.
The MST route makes an out-and-back extension to one of the oldest standing residences of North Carolina.
Col. James Richardson received this land for his service during the French and Indian Wars, prior to the US Revolution.
It was pleasant to take my long break here at Harmony Hall.
It was hotter today than I had anticipated. There was never any cloud cover, so I kept the solar umbrella up. Even after a passing pig trailer’s wind-slam turned it inside out and broke two spokes!
My gracious Trail-Angels Carl and Dianne picked me up here on Ruskin Road and shuttled me back to my car.
Note to any other MST hikers:
GET THIS APP!
My.Bird.Walks. 