Will Benner

Will Benner

Graveyard Fields-Black Balsam Knob Circuit

05/17/18

Really neat place to visit. Great view of the stream valley from the hillside across from the parking area. I can't say for the parking area because I hiked in from the Shining Rock Wilderness. Upon my visit in April 2018, camping was not allowed in the graveyards field area due to a close encounter a backpacker had with a bear. As I recall, the hiker had food in his/her tent. Follow bear can regulations and look up what to do with the bear can before going. It doesn't go in your tent and you don't eat on your campsite. Graveyard Fields is named such because at one time, a wind storm blew down nearly all the trees in the valley and the remains looked like a graveyard so if you are looking for a mountain graveyard, this is not the place. Like a previous reviewer, I was pelted by cold rain but I'm not rating based on the weather. In ideal weather, it would have been better but it is still worth visiting. It was supposed to be nice with a small chance of rain when I went. I actually got sleet earlier that day in the Shining Rock Wilderness area. I'm not sure if checking the forecast before going would be helpful. It's the mountains... You may just have to get lucky:)

5.0

Will Benner

Dutchman's Creek Trail, Uwharrie NF

01/15/18

As described by the author, the first five or six miles are pretty easy and then the latter have some butt-kicking potential.The Uwharries are old and worn down mountains so don't expect any crazy climbs or views for that matter. Unless you go in the winter you probably will never be able to see anything in the distance. I did this as part of a thru-hike of the entire you Uwharrie Trail. I started at the North End of the Uwharrie and hiked all the way to the South End and made a figure eight coming back on Dutchmans Creek and then took the Uwharrie Trail the remainder back to the jumping off rock trailhead. It was about 45 miles and I was able to do it in 3 days. There are plenty of campsites and water in a lot of places. This is definitely a good place to test out your gear for a multi-day trip. Since there are lots of old logging roads and road crossings somebody can come save you if you have problems.

4.0