Haven’t I been here before? Whites Creek Trail Loop Completed.
March 6, 2023
Whites Creek Trail
March 6, 2023
Trees, trees, and more trees — And hidden in this picture is an old forest road.
March 6, 2023
Lunch time snooze in the sun — albeit a very watery sun. Can you see my glasses? No? Neither could I. It took me a lot of searching to find them.
March 6, 2023
The geology seems a bit different on the south loop. Note the rocks in this picture. Also note the blue blaze. You are not supposed to have blazes in a wilderness, but to save money rescuing lost people, there appear to be some exceptions. But the quality and positioning of the blazes is so poor and erratic, it is just annoying. Well, it annoys me!
March 6, 2023
Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness.
March 6, 2023
Cat briar’s revenge — I got myself into a huge patch of them on the third day, and this is the result. It is also why I am resisting being put on aggressive anticoagulants.
March 5, 2023
On the South Loop of the Whites Creek Trail — despite the whole area being flooded yesterday, the trail was not washed out (here, anyway).
March 5, 2023
Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness — Oh the joys of the Golden Hour (and being in the right place).
March 5, 2023
Whites Creek Cave — It’s a slightly better picture than last time. I used my headlamp to light the place up. I’ve tried to find out some more information about the cave, like how big it is and how far it goes back. Thus far I’ve drawn a blank. Let’s just say it’s big-ish.
March 5, 2023
Gratuitous Selfie — taken just because I took a picture of this sign the last time I hiked this trail. +1
March 5, 2023
Whites Creek — close to its confluence with the Eleven Point River — I stopped here to have lunch and enjoy the view. One-minute read
March 5, 2023
Later today I’ll be hiking along that ridge line. It is a rubbish picture, but it does give a slight impression of what is in store. I’ve got to go all the way down and then back up again. Two-minute read
March 4, 2023
The only scenic view on the Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness — The Eleven Point River was very high, muddy and noisy after all the recent rain. At least I got a reasonable view of it on this trip. Last time it was hidden by all the leaves on the trees.
March 4, 2023
Bliss Spring (& a late lunch!) — just a quick snapshot. I took pictures and some video the last time I was here.
March 4, 2023
Old blaze — I’ve no idea where it leads, I’m not going in that direction.
March 4, 2023
Bliss Spring (and lunch) 3.9 miles — On my first visit to Irish Wilderness I made it to Bliss Spring in the first afternoon. Just as well I have an extra day for this trip.
March 4, 2023
Sinkhole — It was impressive because of how wide it was. I’ve seen a lot bigger and deeper, but it was impressive none-the-less.
March 4, 2023
Whites Creek Crossing. Apparently, this is where I should have crossed. (Stereo image). +2
March 4, 2023
Creek? What creek? Someone stole the creek overnight. +1
March 4, 2023
Spring water, Whites Creek. And in a few minutes I’ll be climbing the hill on the other side of the creek. +2
March 3, 2023
I’ll wait this one out, Whites Creek Crossing. Irish Wilderness, on the trail to Bliss Spring — I estimated the water to be four-five feet deep, but actually it was only around three feet.
March 3, 2023
Dry Prong, not so dry — The Whites Creek Trail North loop is well-traveled, easy on your feet, and easy to follow, with modest elevation changes. The trail might have been easy, but there were many downed limbs and lots of debris on the trail. Clearing the trail as I went slowed me down significantly.
March 3, 2023
At the start (or is it the end?) of the Whites Creek Trail Loop — I was last here in May 2021. +1
March 3, 2023
First Creek Crossing — Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness. on the spur trail that goes to the Whites Creek Trail loop. I made my first creek crossing before getting to the trail proper. Two-minute read, +2
May 2, 2021
Whites Creek Trail completed – now just to hike the short spur trail back to the parking lot.