Day 21 - Monday, March 8, 2021


The weather is turning warmer.  I do believe that Spring is close which means two things - no more snow on the trail and the beginning of the black fly season. 

Today’s high is expected to hit the mid 50’s and then going into the 60’s the next few days. Night temperatures will also begin to rise. After this morning which was in the 20’s, temperatures are forecasted  to be well above freezing. Warmer temperatures will also increase our water consumption where we will have to begin to start relying on water sources on the trail to replenish our water; filtering and purifying our water will be a regular protocol. 

Today we are hiking from Skyline 56.4, Bearfence Mountain Trail (919.9 NoBo) to Skyline 66.7 Hightop Mtn Parking Area (908.4 NoBo) for a total of 11.5 miles.


We begin hiking at 8:25 am. The temperature was 27°. 




Today we encountered more trail debris as we have the last few days. 


I came around a corner, not paying attention, as I was checking my watch and I nearly walked into a deer standing on the edge of the trail - within 5 feet of me. Actually, there were 4 deer who then nonchalantly walked off out of the way and continued feeding. This is the second group of deer we have walked up too who don’t seemed too concerned with human scent.

For some reason I have been become the jackrabbit, setting the pace of our hiking. I’m not sure if I like this yet 🥴. I was happy just being the mule going nice and steady pulling up the rear...



We stopped for lunch around 12:30 pm. I also took this opportunity to change my socks. 


So it’s about 1:15 pm and we are hiking along and all the sudden I hear Turtle Power yelling several superlatives.  I turn around and see him getting off his knee. One of those forest whangdoodie’s grabbed ahold of his foot and tripped him.... yep, that’s right - another drink for me!! Actually, this fall makes us even... for now 😉



Today was a wildlife extravaganza.  We’re walking down the trail and we see this movement on the ground take off and fly into a nearby tree. To our amazement it was  a Barred Owl or more commonly known as a “Hoot” Owl. It stayed there roosted in the tree keeping an eye on us till we passed. Owls are typically heard and seen at night when they are most active. Perhaps it was a “Day” owl and not a “Night” 🦉 🥴

It got warm the last hour we were hiking. We finished at 2:05 pm and the temperature was 48° with bright sun all day. 

Till next time... Happy Hiking 🥾 

😋



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