And Then There Were Two: Pinhoti Days 7–9

Day 7: Blue Mountain Shelter to US 431

Soundtrack: 151a by Kishi Bashi

Our last full day with Outlaw and Cinderella 🙁 I’ll miss our little Pinhoti tramily, but feel excited that Outlaw will join us back on trail again near the end of our thru; he’s got gear to shake down before the PCT next year!

Trail today was super cruisey, and we got to lounge around at not one, but two (!) different waterfall areas. I think we all felt a bit like forest fairies.

I met a guy named DJ at a forest road crossing; we definitely scared each other since there aren’t many other people out here. He was looking for turkeys ahead of the hunting season, which starts next week. DJ had lots of questions about the trail. Though I wish he wouldn’t have asked me if I was hiking alone — even though it was well-intentioned — I did appreciate that he asked if he could approach me so I could show him where I saw turkeys on trail a few days prior.  We exchanged well wishes and continued on our separate ways.

The crew decided to change plans and head to the hostel tonight instead of tomorrow. That way we could shower at 8Acorns and celebrate Cinderella’s and Outlaw’s last night with us at Vallarta Mexican Restaurant.

Before bed, Outlaw taught us all how to play Spades. I was so tired and itchy from the heat rash on my neck, hands, and legs that I didn’t really catch on, but he was a very patient teacher and managed to win for the both of us a few times.

Day 8: County Road 500 to Stealth at 125.3

Soundtrack: i,i by Bon Iver

Unfortunately, Cinderella fell ill last night. I felt so badly for her, and all I could think about was how hard her and Outlaw’s shuttle would be back to the POC.

After she and Outlaw left, Shane, one of the 8Acorns owners, drove us to resupply at the grocery store. Between that and heading back to trail, I ran into Rhythm Cafe for an iced mocha and a sandwich to eat on trail. I talked for awhile to one of the baristas named Scott. He knew a fair amount about Michigan hiking, and it felt good to connect with him about places such as Isle Royale, Mackinac Island, and other towns he wanted to visit. Scott let Sparks and me sign the cafe’s trail log and gave us stickers on our way out.

And before we finally returned to trail, Shane took us downtown so we could register our hike with the town of Heflin.

Once again, Sparks and I got back on trail kind of late. But I wasn’t too stressed. We ended up skipping ahead about three miles to avoid an additional shuttle fee.

As it grew dark, Sparks found a place where we could stealth camp just up off the trail on a ridgeline. It was beautiful and secluded; I felt very safe and hidden away from all the random ATV trails that seem to run near the trail in this section.

Before bed, Sparks gave me one of her bone broth packets and I remembered I packed out a Lunchables pizza. They’re definitely bulky in my trash bag, but Lunchables are always a nostalgic treat for me to carry out from town. Plus, it seems we come across trash cans fairly regularly on this trail.

I’m looking forward to hearing what birds will wake me in the morning.

Day 9: Stealth at 125.3 to Choccolocco Shelter

Soundtrack: Inside In/Inside Out by The Kooks

I fell asleep easily last night to the sounds of owls, peepers, and distant coyotes. I woke up to pine warblers all around my tent.

Sparks and I hiked off the ridgeline, then stopped at Pine Glen Campground for a morning snack. As we continued, a day hiker named Patrick caught up to us. He is a seventh grade geography teacher finishing up the Alabama section of the Pinhoti today. We talked a lot about Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

We came to an abrupt halt when three men on dirt bikes zigzagged their way down the trail. The bikers told us they took a wrong turn (I kind of doubt that), but it was only minorly annoying and they were very friendly!

After another shelter snack break, Patrick ventured on while Sparks and I looked for a good water source to relax by. We both wanted to freshen up, and found a waterfall not too far away, so we rested there for around an hour.

The skinny, sloping trail contoured around the mountainsides for most of the day. And all the sections sloped in the same direction, so it didn’t take long for my left ankle to start feeling sore — the same one that ached at the end of the AT. Maybe tomorrow, the trail will slope the other way. 

Sparks and I met up on top of a dam for dinner, then made camp at Choccolocco Shelter. Hearing off-roading vehicles at night made me a bit anxious; I miss last night’s stealth camp.

Dam dinner!!

Should we?

The pollen is still excessive!

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