Quebec Run Base Camp with day hike TR
Aug 17, 2015 13:32:17 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Aug 17, 2015 13:32:17 GMT -5
07/11-13/15: This was my third trip to this magical place. There are no towering waterfalls or expansive views. Not even the suggestion of these, yet the diverse scenery, excellent trail conditions and solitude makes the visitor want to return again and again. I was joined by Lili, Lan, Cognac Jack, Speedy, Treebeard and Andre the Giant. The hike in was only to be about a mile so we arranged a step off time of 3:00 P.M. We were about 10 minutes late but still had plenty of time to make camp. For some reason I thought the the Grist Mill Trail was going to be a walk along a flat wide old logging road but it is a really nice rolling footpath through alternating Hemlock groves, hardwood forest, Hay Scented Fern fields and swamps filled with skunk cabbage and Cinnamon Ferns. A half hour of casual hiking found us crossing the run on a well built bridge (Although I swear all of the bridges built in this venue are designed to oscillate up and down sending a queezy sensation through my stomach.).
As in our previous trips the camp site that can hold a heavy weapons platoon was occupied by a single tent so we continued down the Mill Run Trail a few yards to another large (but not quite as nice) site.
We did all the usual camp stuff, had dinner, told stories and watched our pyromaniacs build a nice fire out of damp Hemlock, Rhododendron and Birch. The conflagration deserved a witch to burn.
I was to lead the group on an 8 mile day hike the next day, exploring the few miles I had yet to see on my previous trips, but for reasons I won't explain here I could only complete 5 miles. Still I managed to show the group what I considered to be the best of the wild area: The Rankin Trail, Quebec Run and the best hidden campsite I've ever found.
The group dropped me off at camp and did an additional 4.5 miles using assorted trails and roads. I must have really been tired for I slept solidly until their return a couple of hours later. In days long gone we had a trio of hikers we called the Water Bugs because we couldn't keep them out of the water. Well, Lili, Andrea and Andre have suceeded in creating them anew as they cooled off in the swimming hole under the bridge.
Another fine fire was constructed that night despite a constant light drizzle. Determined to burn up all of the fire wood in the forest the arsonists created an inferno worthy of a funeral pyre. Unfortunately we couldn't find a samurai warrior or viking to volunteer.
The walk out the next morning got us out of the woods just in time to avoid the forecasted showers. We changed out of our sweaty clothes and headed for the Little Sandy Truck Stop for a satisfying breakfast.
As in our previous trips the camp site that can hold a heavy weapons platoon was occupied by a single tent so we continued down the Mill Run Trail a few yards to another large (but not quite as nice) site.
We did all the usual camp stuff, had dinner, told stories and watched our pyromaniacs build a nice fire out of damp Hemlock, Rhododendron and Birch. The conflagration deserved a witch to burn.
I was to lead the group on an 8 mile day hike the next day, exploring the few miles I had yet to see on my previous trips, but for reasons I won't explain here I could only complete 5 miles. Still I managed to show the group what I considered to be the best of the wild area: The Rankin Trail, Quebec Run and the best hidden campsite I've ever found.
The group dropped me off at camp and did an additional 4.5 miles using assorted trails and roads. I must have really been tired for I slept solidly until their return a couple of hours later. In days long gone we had a trio of hikers we called the Water Bugs because we couldn't keep them out of the water. Well, Lili, Andrea and Andre have suceeded in creating them anew as they cooled off in the swimming hole under the bridge.
Another fine fire was constructed that night despite a constant light drizzle. Determined to burn up all of the fire wood in the forest the arsonists created an inferno worthy of a funeral pyre. Unfortunately we couldn't find a samurai warrior or viking to volunteer.
The walk out the next morning got us out of the woods just in time to avoid the forecasted showers. We changed out of our sweaty clothes and headed for the Little Sandy Truck Stop for a satisfying breakfast.
