BRP Trailhead MP 434.2 to BRP Maintenance Area near US 74, westbound
August 11, 2025. Two hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway skirting the border between Jackson and Haywood Counties. These were my first hikes in Segment 2–today’s hike was 11.2 miles, and tomorrow’s, 9.6.
Sunday afternoon after church we drove four hours to Waynesville and had a nice Thai dinner.
Part of being an MST-hiker is supporting local economies!
We spent two nights at an Airbnb that had a gorgeous view–when the clouds lifted!
Early Monday morning the husband-shuttle dropped me off at this non-descript spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It’s been almost two months since my last hike (finishing up Segment 18 at Jockey’s Ridge), so I was both excited and nervous to get back out there.
To make it a little easier, I decided to do both hikes in the direction that gave me more DOWNhill than UPhill.
And away she goes!
The clouds rolled in and it was fairly dark under the tree cover.
The mushrooms were flourishing! It’s been pretty wet here lately, with almost daily rainshowers.
The route goes near several Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks–but views were scarce today.
The first five miles were very challenging. I had to rediscover my hiking rhythm, plus the terrain was tricky, with wet rocks and a slanted trail surface.
Segment 2 is rated “strenuous” for a reason!
At least navigation was quite easy. There wasn’t a single turn to worry about.
Mid-morning drizzle finally settled into a determined rain, so I broke out the poncho.
And perhaps it was inevitable, but despite my caution I took a fall on the wet rocks.
After the initial shock wore off, I evaluated the injury and could tell that it was just a bad scrape. My knee was bruised, but it didn’t impair my ability to continue walking.
As the trail descended it widened and got smoother, which was a relief.
And hurray! The rain eased off!
All done. Phew! That was a tough one.
But as the fortune cookie said:
You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course.
My.Bird.Walks. 