Panthertown Valley

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

Waterfalls, sandy beaches, sheer rock walls... all in one hike!  That's what Panthertown Valley had to offer the Girls in the Woods this week.  We couldn't have ordered a more beautiful day.

We hiked eight and a half miles and jumped on and off of several trails.  We ended up hiking backwards from our original plan, but still saw everything we wanted to see on this trip.  Never straying far from the water, we made numerous crossings on rocks, logs and sometimes bridges.

The first waterfall was Schoolhouse Falls

We were like turtles soaking up the sun.

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

The second falls we came to was Granny Burrell Falls.  There was ice all along the edge, so we cautiously worked our way to an area where we could see.  Even though it was sixty degrees today, it has been dropping down in the thirties at night.

This was the strangest thing.  A sandy beach in the middle of the forest.

We ate lunch on one of the sandbars and this was my view.

A friendly reminder to respect the forest and the shelter.

The Great Wall was aptly named.  We hiked to the base of the mountain in complete awe, feeling very small.   Maggie was trying to figure out how one would go about climbing this giant.

The last falls took a little work to get to.  We were all getting tired by this point, but were so glad we had made the effort.  I am never sorry that we push ourselves to see just one more thing.

Greenland Creek Falls

It was an all day hike, as you can see by the late afternoon sun at the top.  But what a day!  This hike is a little over an hour from my house and I had no idea these falls were here, or that rock face.  Exploring the beautiful area where I live with my hiking friends is one of best things I do for myself.  It's my therapy.

" In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir

Let's Climb the Fire Tower

The Girls in the Woods were off to Tennessee for this hike.  I had missed a few weeks and was ready to get back on the trail.  It was a cold day though, and I struggled to keep my hands warm.  I'm investing in some hand warmers for the rest of these winter hikes.  Jeannette and Maggie shared theirs with me and it made all the difference.  A real friend shares her hand warmers.

Even with the cold weather, it was a beautiful day.  I love the browns of winter, with an occasional splash of evergreen.  We had some long range views through the trees as we climbed.

Pretty rocks under my feet.

We were making some elevation gains!

I like to hike near the back, so I can stop to take pictures.  I have to be careful not to get too far behind though, because these girls are moving on and I don't want the group to have to wait on me.  The disadvantage to being in the back, is that when the group stops for a rest, they are ready to go again by the time you get there.   

Four miles behind us and one to go.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

This fire tower was our destination.  It doesn't look that tall, but climbing it made me nervous.  I think it was all the open stairs and railing.  I was glad Maggie was behind me to encourage me when I began to think maybe I didn't want to go all the way to the top after all.  She told me I did.

This was on the ceiling.

The view from the top.  Imagine it like this on all sides.

Julie and Susan

Here we are.  Coral's holding on to me tightly.  It was windy up there!

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Time for lunch.  I had packed soup in a thermos and man did it hit the spot!

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Margie and Maggie

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

My back side.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

It was a great day.  It was a cold day.  I didn't warm up until I got home and took a hot bath.  When my brain thawed a little, I started thinking some thoughts. It would've been easy to have chosen to stay home today. I could've wrapped up in a blanket and read a book and piddled around the house.  But, I'm glad I chose to hike.  It was good for me to be outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.  It was good for me to push myself to hike up a mountain (almost ten miles!).  It was good for me to climb that fire tower, even though it made me nervous.  I felt like I had faced my fears when I was standing on the top, having pushed myself out of my comfort zone. It was good to be around these women who make me want to be better just by being with them.  It was a great day.

The Last Hike of the Year

When the forecasted temperatures are for highs in the 30's, we head south, hoping it will be a little warmer.  In fact, we joke about how much warmer it feels when we cross the South Carolina line.  Today we hiked in the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve on part of the Foothills Trail that runs from Jones Gap State Park to Oconee State Park.  I continue to be astonished at Julie's skill in scouting and locating these amazing hikes.  She really is the best!

We hiked the red trail and it was well maintained, with steps and bridges that made for an enjoyable hike.  I hadn't been on the trail in a few weeks, with all the Christmas activities going on and was thinking this was going to be hard on me today.  Even though I had been diligent with my yoga practice, I just hadn't had the time to fit the hiking into the schedule.  We hiked a little over five miles, but it   was pleasant and not too challenging.  It felt so good to be out in the woods with friends.

I've come to appreciate the beauty of winter hiking.  I used to think the leafless season was depressing, because I love green so much.  But spending time in the woods, not just looking at it from a distance, is a totally different experience.  The lines of the mountain peaks can be seen through the trees and there are so many shades of brown and rust.  The evergreens have their chance to show off. 

I also tend to notice what's at my feet more when I'm not looking up at the trees.  I have no idea what this is, but it's hanging on to this rock and it's interesting.

We stopped often to either take off or put on layers.

This lovely falls was the finale of the trail.

Lunch spot.

This was our group today, minus Julie who was taking the photo.

There she is.  Our fearless leader.

This was my favorite shot today.  Nothing fancy.  Just rows and rows of leafless trees, mountain ridges and blue skies.  Midwinter beauty.

Sugar Babe takes us wherever we want to go.

Along the Nolichucky

First of all, isn't it fun to say Nolichucky?  This beautiful river near Erwin, Tennessee was the star of the show on our recent hike.  We had a beautiful day for exploring around it, with sunny skies and cool temperatures at the beginning, warming up along the way.  It was one of those hikes when you wear lots of layers and stop periodically to add and take away.  It had been about a month since I hiked, so I was especially happy to head into the woods. 

My hiking friends.  These ladies are awesome!

I spy a white blaze!  Let's go!

We hiked several miles gradually climbing until we were looking down on the river.  The trail was considered moderate, winding though the woods with some climbing over and around rocks.

The most difficult thing about hiking at this time of year are the leaves that cover the path, making it tricky to know what's under your feet.  I use my trekking poles to dig around in front of me when I'm in a suspicious spot.  I don't know how I ever managed to hike without them.  They saved me more than a few times today from falling. It was a blessing though, to be hiking on wet leaves. 

Bridge crossings

We were joined by Cookie for most of the day.  We found out his name when we met up with some local folks at the general store, right off the trail.  We could not persuade him to go home and Julie ended up having to put him in her car and drive him back at the end of our hike.  

We lunched around a nice fire ring on the banks of the river.  It was windy, until we finished eating, and then it warmed right up.  Funny how that works. 

Back on the trail, after lunch.

It's the club tradition to bring natural ornaments to decorate a tree for the animals.  This was my first year to help and I loved it! We had to hang things out of Cookie's reach, or he would have made lunch out of our little tree.  We gave him a snack, but we wanted the birds and squirrels to enjoy it too.

The orange cranberry ornaments were my contribution, a little Pinterest find that I thought were cute.  Kenzie helped me put them together.

Our Charlie Brown Christmas tree.  

We stopped the car on the way home to snap this shot.

What a great day!