Tackling Table Rock - Part 1

As I mentioned, Cory and I checked out the first half mile of the trail at Table Rock which included this adorable waterfall just steps from the trailhead.

In addition to the work they are doing on the Nature Center they've done some work on the beginning of the trail to make it accessible and obstacle free for visitors.

photo by Cory!

It doesn't take long though before things get rough, the trail is pretty steep right off the bat, but for awhile the sightings of Carrick Creek spilling down the mountainside take your mind off the struggle.

Yesterday morning I was at the trailhead at 9:15 and dutifully filled out my card explaining where I was going and when I planned to return.

Just after I passed that half mile mark I met up with a couple of guys, one of whom was originally from Maine and we chatted awhile while we climbed until my lungs couldn't keep up with their legs and I had to drop behind.  I made it to the mile mark after about 40 minutes of determined hiking.

I probably was scaring the poor birds and squirrels with all the huffing and puffing I was doing.  The woodpeckers kept fleeing, probably afraid what I had was contagious?

The farther you go, the rougher it gets.  Not only is the trail steep, it is littered with obstacles and there wasn't much in the way of switchbacks to give you a chance to reserve energy.  It took me about another 35 minutes just to go an additional half mile, and for a change I can't really blame it on photography stops.

Okay, the wifi that we have to drive down to the camp store to get is so slow right now that I will have to continue this hike report tomorrow.  After this strenuous hike I'll be having a "downtime" day anyway.  More about the trail tomorrow and the friends I made at the top, and then I'll get to tell you about finally meeting a blog friend I've been corresponding with for a couple of years.