We had company this weekend and one of the requests for things to do was go on a hike. We looked for easier trails and settled on Pilot’s Knob, although it might have been a bit more challenging that we expected. 🙂
The trail head is about 10 miles from home, so not very far at all!
It started out somewhat more uphill that we were anticipating, but it was shaded and pretty.
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The trail was quite well marked and well traveled. It wasn’t quite as rocky as Sleeping Beauty, but still a little challenging with tree roots.
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We hit a fork in the trail, both of which led to the gazebo.
We weren’t sure which to take, but then someone coming down said the trail was a little easier and more interesting to look at, so we went to the right.
My love:
Finally up to the clearing and the gazebo 1 mile up.
We had some protein bars and fruit here and enjoyed the view!
That’s Lake George.
I finally got my first butterfly shot of the year up here. This was taken with the 300 zoom.
After a rest, our friend wanted to continue on, so we headed on the blue trail to the waterfall, which was supposed to be dry at this time of year:
We haven’t had a ton of rain lately and even the normally muddy areas were dry:
We didn’t have to walk on that to stay dry. This is my favorite shot of the guys right here:
We made it to the waterfall (at a total of 2.5 miles from the start), which was pretty dry – obviously or I wouldn’t be standing in it!:
Itty bitty trickle of water.
This is mostly full in the spring. I would like to come back and see that. We decided to turn around and hike back at this point. Back to the gazebo and back down the orange path:
I found a little toad friend. I actually almost stepped on him!
It was a bit of a steep descent, so I packed the camera away after that so I wouldn’t drop it or if I slipped it wouldn’t get damaged. Didn’t care about me, just save the camera!
We did about 5 miles of hiking. It was a good hike and I would do this one again as well. Although, there are so many great trails yet to explore.
We had a post hike treat!
It’s not a cupcake, but still pretty darn good 😀
Looks like a beautiful hike. There’s nothing better than spending time in nature and getting a little exercise in.
It was most certainly a beautiful day!
I love that picture of the little toad. It has everything–all the bits of the forest floor, plus the toad in perfect focus.
Its so interesting to me that different areas of the country can look so similar. Your hike looks very similar to a hike I took when I was in Whidbey Island up in Washington!
That little toad was very tolerant of me putting the camera in his face, particulary after I almost stepped on him! This hike was interesting because it had different areas in a short space, there was grassy forest floor, almost like a meadow. Then the hemlock forest and the grassy gazebo area. Quite beautiful.
Very nice pictures Sweetie. You are getting the hang of that camera.
Thank you! With some lessons, I think I could take really nice shots. And getting an editing software. I’d better get to work!
see??
now we are alll wanna come visit and request the hiking option too.
Any time! We certainly have room for guests.
Looks like a great hike. Beautiful pictures!
What a beautiful hike, and how interesting it will be to go there again in the spring and see the differences, especially with the waterfall. You are getting such good pictures with your new camera already – I’m impressed!
I am loving the new camera. Still a lot to learn. I thought my phone did a good job with pictures, but just the little I am doing with this camera makes me wish I hadn’t waited so long 😀
Oh Lori I love your hiking reports as much as your biking reports. So great that you are hiking now and then too. And what a lovely hike it was.
It was lovely! You definitely need to visit out here Fran. Just not in winter LOL
That would be so great, wouldn’t it? I would love to go on a hike with you.
Ha, I would have done the same thing “who cares about me – save the camera!” I hope to go hiking as soon as I get rid of my cough – going on week 3 of it and it’s getting annoying!
Great job with that new camera! You are really lucky to have such beautiful hiking trails so close to home.
So pretty Lori!!!! SO hot here I can hardly stay in this house!!! I am over the ehat! Glad you enjoyed!!!!
Beautiful! We are headed to Lake George the first week in October. Hoping the trees are fully dressed with Autumn splendor!
They should look good. I hope so because John’s parents are coming out that weekend and we want to take them leef peeping.
You live in such a beautiful area. Lake George looks gorgeous! Nothing like that in Central Florida.
Great photo of the butterfly! Wow!