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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2014 14:46:43 GMT -5
I was joined by Shortstack, Woolly Bully, Christopher Robins, Cognac Jack and Ted E.Bear. The plan was to do the Base Camp/Day Hike on my site. The hike in along the South Prong Trail was full of photo ops from the beginning.  Some of my peers climbed up on Pancake Rocks but found the view grown in.  We stopped at two vistas that offered some nice views.  We reached camp around 3:00, got set up, took a break and then took a brief walk to the Hidden Vista. From here we could get a nice view across the South Prong drainage towards Flat Rock Plains.  The next morning found us hiking the Hidden Passage with its fragrant Hay-scented ferns, colorful Maple trees, flaming blueberry, Hawthorn groves, Rhodo tunnels and a pleasant birch and black cherry forest.  1.3 miles we arrived at the Seneca Meadows campsite/vista. The campsite was occupied with sleeping backpackers so we moved a little further along. The views were better anyway.  At that point I was totally exhausted. The Canyon Rim is no place for an ill hiker so I decided to call it a day. We did manage to walk out to the pipeline so my friends could see a bit more of the scenery.  We turned around and headed back to camp. The colors were even more brilliant as the sun was now over head.  mrhyker.tripod.com/photos2/rp-14-9.jpgWe packed up our things and trudges out to our vehicles. I was disappointed but at the same time happy to get a chance to once again set my feet upon this wonderful ground. We stopped at Mallows Roadside Inn in Cabins for a hearty brunch before driving home. |
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Sept 29, 2014 15:02:23 GMT -5
MR, did you mean to "abort" the trail report?  |
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2014 15:10:23 GMT -5
Damned 'Puter was locking up on me so I managed to save and edit.
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Post by jnk556 on Sept 29, 2014 17:44:02 GMT -5
if your not feeling well, that is one trail you don't want to be hiking. Once you go past the pipeline, you are in rough country. It will beat the crap out of the most fit hikers. Hell, Arfcomhkr and i cut off at teepee the time we went as it was just so exausting. BTW, Teepee, is not a good cut off, it sucks worse!
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Sept 29, 2014 18:52:03 GMT -5
jnk, Should I say it?  |
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WoolyBully
Full Member
Walking slow.....
Posts: 32 
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Post by WoolyBully on Sept 29, 2014 19:07:59 GMT -5
What we did of this trip was really nice. Sweeping views, fall colors, comfy campsite with all of the amenities, and great stargazing. This was my first time in the Dolly Sods area, and now I can see why this place is held in such high regard. But without blazing and with literally dozens of side trails, navigation can be pretty challenging. I'm looking forward to getting out there again. And I learned a few things that will be valuable for future hikes. Thanks Mike for putting this together!
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jbs86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by jbs86 on Sept 29, 2014 20:50:26 GMT -5
Did this trail this weekend with my girlfriend, but I think we were a couple hours ahead of you. Backpacked the entire loop and camped near where the canyon rim trail meets the roaring plains trail. Thanks for the notes on the great hike!
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2014 21:47:55 GMT -5
Did this trail this weekend with my girlfriend, but I think we were a couple hours ahead of you. Backpacked the entire loop and camped near where the canyon rim trail meets the roaring plains trail. Thanks for the notes on the great hike! Did you find the hidden spring @ the Roaring Plains TR & Canyon Rim junction? |
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jbs86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by jbs86 on Sept 30, 2014 5:32:33 GMT -5
No, we explored around the campsite, but we must have missed that. There was a small ephemeral stream, but that looked like it had been dry for weeks. We just hauled water from Roaring Creek.
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Post by Admin on Sept 30, 2014 6:49:38 GMT -5
No, we explored around the campsite, but we must have missed that. There was a small ephemeral stream, but that looked like it had been dry for weeks. We just hauled water from Roaring Creek. Any photos of the Rim to share since we didn't make it out there. |
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Post by arfcomhkr on Sept 30, 2014 12:05:09 GMT -5
Sorry to hear you had to bail on the trip. But, as others said, it's not a place to be if you are ill or hurting.
We bailed out tee pee because I fell and hit my knee on a rock right about at the intersection and I wanted to get back to camp before it swelled up and got stiff on me.
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christopherrobin
Forum Elder
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
Posts: 259
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Post by christopherrobin on Sept 30, 2014 12:26:10 GMT -5
These are pics ofthe rocks I saw from Hidden Passage   I know they aren't really clear but they look a lot like Seneca Rocks  |
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MRHyker
Forum Elder
Out to Lunch
Posts: 130
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Post by MRHyker on Sept 30, 2014 12:32:01 GMT -5
That be them. Compare here. |
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jbs86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by jbs86 on Sept 30, 2014 17:56:35 GMT -5
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Post by jnk556 on Sept 30, 2014 18:06:23 GMT -5
It is a very beautiful area, but like said above you have to work to see it!
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christopherrobin
Forum Elder
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
Posts: 259
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 1, 2014 7:16:07 GMT -5
Sunrise pictures from the rock   |
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Post by Admin on Oct 1, 2014 7:28:22 GMT -5
Like this:  In your Google photo page right click on the image and click on "open image in new tab" Than copy that link and use the image button here to paste it. I personally refer to this spot as "Photo Op Rock" because no one can resist getting their picture taken there. See MRHyker's Avatar. |
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MRHyker
Forum Elder
Out to Lunch
Posts: 130
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Post by MRHyker on Oct 1, 2014 7:36:16 GMT -5
Chris, God willing, I'll let you lead us to the Hidden Vista or "The Rock" next year and I hope to show you and Wooly Bully the Rim.
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MRHyker
Forum Elder
Out to Lunch
Posts: 130
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Post by MRHyker on Oct 1, 2014 8:03:06 GMT -5
Chris, in your photos of Seneca Rocks, I think the tree in front of you is a rarity - American Chestnut.It's considered extinct.
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christopherrobin
Forum Elder
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
Posts: 259
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 6, 2014 10:55:16 GMT -5
Better pic from Hidden Passage overlook of Seneca Roc  ks |
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