I picked the Cowback Mountain from Hogpen Gap hike because it was relatively close, 2 hours long and moderately difficult. I had originally intended to go the previous weekend but scuttled that plan at the last minute when forecast called for showers, cold and wind. Although I had the gear to handle the inclement weather, I didn't want to start off with a hike that would keep me from doing it again. This weekend the weather was perfect with highs in the mid 60s, a nice cool breeze and mostly sunny skies.
I loaded up the iPod with music and hit the road "early" Sunday. The directions in the book were great and I had no trouble finding the trail head. Overall the hike was 3.6 miles long and took about 2 1/2 hours round trip. Although from end to end it was only a 800 foot climb, numerous ups and downs made for a challenging hike. To my surprise there were numerous other people on the trail. I ran into about a dozen other hikers ranging from day hikers like myself to ones who'd been on the trail for weeks. The hike on was just one small section of the Appalachian Trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine.
I took a couple pictures along the route. The first offers a view of my destination.
The second is a view from atop the mountain. I was delighted to see a cairn (rock pile) upon my arrival at the top since they'd been such a prominent feature on my Iceland trip.
Pictures were a little bland because most of the area is just starting to bloom. All in all I'd have to consider the hike a success and I'll certainly be headed out for more soon. My biggest surprise from this trip was the sunburn I received on the ride home with top down.
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