An overnight backpacking trip with the Trail Dames on the Pine Mountain Trail at FDR State Park in Georgia.
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| Lunch break on the Pine Mountain Trail. |
The Pine Mountain Trail at FDR State Park is one of my go-to places during the winter because it doesn't tend to get as cold as the North Georgia mountains. But that doesn't mean it's not cold. Temperatures still dipped below freezing, and provided a good opportunity to test our winter gear.
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| A chilly morning. Photo by Jean. |
It was great seeing Jean and Kelly again- I've done previous Trail Dames trips with them and it was so nice to catch up with them. It was the first time I'd met Tonya, and I was so glad she could join us for part of the time and I sure hope to see her again.
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| Tonya on the Pine Mountain Trail. |
Fall leaves were colorful. We were delighted by a few late-season flowers.
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| Gentian still blooming. |
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| Grass of Parnassus along a small creek. |
Once again, so nice to spend the weekend with the Dames!
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| Having dinner at the Whiskey Still campsite. Photo by Jean. |
I know it's cold but I am envious you can backpack without snow. That adds a whole new element to it. Not that I don't love skiing but I haven't quite gotten comfortable with winter backpacking in six feet of snow yet. I'm hoping to get there.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate how easy it is to keep backpacking year round in the southeast. We may get a little snow but not 6 feet. That said, I do want to become more proficient in my snow skills. Right now I'm back in Colorado and doing some dayhikes in the snow, but haven't gotten up the nerve to go backpacking out in it. Someday...
DeleteGlad you posted this trip. I hope to be doing the Pine Mtn trail over the winter break. Looking forward to seeing a new trail. You should get in touch with outnback on HF, he loves some Colorado winter hammocking and could give you a few tips.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy the PMT- lots of good loops and side trails available. Campsite reservations make it a little tricky- you make a general reservation in advance, but don't get assigned your actual campsite until you arrive. So you have to be flexible but I've always had it work out OK in the end.
DeleteThanks I'll check out outnback on HF- good recommendation!
Glad to read about your backpack on the PMT. My daughter and I hiked it the weekend prior to you, and I had a list of campsite options just in case our first choices were full (we had general reservations, but it it was Veterans day weekend and knew it may be tricky). We arrived on Friday afternoon, and found out later that it was the key to getting the sites we preferred as we talked with another camper who said there was a line at the office before dawn on Saturday. We did a short day on Friday and finished up on Sunday (started at the radio tower and hiked to the country store trailhead). The pace was just right for us beginning backpackers to test some gear and to enjoy the vibrant fall leaves. It's a great trail, and the closest with any elevation for those of us who live in the Florida panhandle.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda,
DeleteHow cool that you were on the PMT the week before! Thanks for sharing the trick about arriving on Friday afternoon- great advice! Wonderful that you had the chance to do the whole trail. Hope to see you out on the trail sometime!
I see tarp tents ?? Have you converted ??
ReplyDeleteYou see correctly- that's Jean's double rainbow tarptent. My hammock and camo tarp are on the far right in the last photo. Haven't had to convert yet... though every once in a while I read about trips to treeless areas and start wondering... :)
DeleteI have both tarp tents and a hennessy hammock . Am not a covert yet but as I see how you love the hangers , I will give more of a go ..
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