Friday Fave: Bearwallow Mountain
Standoff at the top.
Feral Jimson Weed!
Trail: Bearwallow Mountain + Trombatore Trail, Gerton, NC
Miles: 7
Weather: Sun and clouds.
Trail conditions: Overgrown with nettles in spots. Dry.
Rating: Moderate.
Date Hiked: 8/3/16
Glorious patch of feral datura, AKA Jimson Weed, in the cow pasture on top of Bearwallow Mountain.
I am a slow hiker. Two mph regardless of the terrain (unless the blueberries are ripe, then all bets are off as to when I might arrive).
The Trombatore Trail, though, is a great trail for training my short legs to pick up the pace. Which I did...for a 2.5 mph hike.
Sometimes the thought of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail fills me with terror and dread. I won't lie.
Specifically hiking 15-20 miles. In ONE day!
Buttons are being pushed, here.
I wonder if I can even make it to New Jersey before Christmas at that speed.
That's why we train, right? So, I'm scheduling in speed days.
In addition to distance days and full load days.
Fingers crossed my trail name won't be Snail.
Anyhooooo...I love this trail up to Bearwallow Mountain and then out to the Blue Ridge Pastures.
It's beautiful.
Best. Dog. Ever.
It's close to home. And it's close to everything good about life in Asheville.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm...grass fed meat found here.
Flying Cloud Farm roadside stand.
A roadside spring...be still my beating heart!
Sherrill's Inn Spring.
Mountain Mojo Coffee Shop
Get caffeined for the trip to the trailhead.
Dang...I'm about to talk myself in to moving to Fairview, NC.
All they need is a yarn shop.
FYI...
I'm training for my upcoming Appalachian Trail thru-hike and I'm fortunate to live in a place that makes training easy and fun.
Stay tuned for more Friday Faves--my favorite training hikes in my lead-up to my thru-hike.
Which I'm certain will either kill me or make me stronger (and more fearless).
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Blue Ridge Pastures.
