Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 15-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Saturday–March 6, 2021
Trail Day–015
Trail Mile–18.6/172.9
Location–Davis Mountain Shelter
Going for a long day today with plenty of climbing and side-slabbing–all the way to Davis Mountain Shelter.
A short stop at Oakey Mountain Shelter, then a short stretch along the Chief
Ladiga Rail Trail to be followed by a steep climb up and onto Wilson Ridge. Then it’s another climb around High Point, a short roadwalk along US-278 where I meet southbound hikers, Tim & Angela, happy couple. Hey, they recognize the old Nimblewill!
The next bit of trail is on private land over a dedicated easement which extends the next 7.8 miles, up and over Davis mountain and onto the upper flanks of Indian Mountain.
Since the easement grant (and the owner’s death), the land having been transferred to grantee’s descendants, the tract has been turned (and churned) into an ATV Park, the roads now mostly rocks and mud.
I was depending on finding (and taking) water from a small dependable tributary to Hurricane Creek, but I arrive to find it running mostly mud–coming off the nearby ATV trail. Fortunately, I manage to flag down one of the mud makers, who kindly gives me two bottles of water!
After a strenuous, end of day climb up Davis Mountain, I arrive Davis Mountain Shelter–to be rewarded with
a sky-high view of a memorable sunset.
In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your [mud-churning] work, look around you!
(Leo Tolstoy)
3 Comments on “Journal 15-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”
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Nimblewill Nomad 
Amen!
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3-9-2021
Good morning
Mr Eberhart
Thank you for the pictures &
Messages have enjoyed them
Beautiful weather thank goodness
We are camping this week
at Gunterhill
Be safe
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Keep up the good hike😊
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