We went out late on October 12 and returned on October 13, 2024. We didn’t even get to the forest before dark, but we still managed a short hike before we settled into our campsite. The campsite was about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) from Hillfield Road. It’s a spot I have camped before. I like it because it’s easily accessible from the road. I still don’t have a lot of ultra-light gear and I recently hurt my back, so I took 2 light trips, rather than trying to get everything in one, heavy backpack. It’s somewhere between car camping and backpacking. I like to get away from the road, so I don’t get disturbed by people driving by my campsite at night.
We had a really pleasant night. The temperature was perfect for sleeping and the mosquitoes were not an issue until about 8:30 the next morning as it was warming up. We went for a short hike before we returned to civilization. I wanted to get some photos in daylight, since I couldn’t get any the night before because we arrived well after sunset. I don’t think I got any great photos, but at least I got something to document the trip. I could have stayed out there all day if I hadn’t had things to do back home.
I slept in my Haven hammock and I feel like I slept better than I do in my bed at home. It never ceases to amaze me how well I sleep in that hammock. My only complaint so far is that it is narrow enough (about 22″ wide; the XL version is wider) that my shoulders can feel the cold because they press against the sides, if it’s a cold night.
This is really a great time of year for camping. If we are lucky, the mosquitoes will give up soon. We’re getting lots of sunshine, warm days and cool nights. I highly recommend spending a night out and waking up to the sounds of the forest, if you can do it. Camping close to the road you get the best of both worlds. You can haul in whatever comforts you want, but you’re far enough from the road that you won’t have to worry about loud vehicles disturbing your zen.
Feel free to comment here if you want tips on campsites near the Weetock trail (in the Croatan, south of HW 58).
[…] took a short hike on the southside on Saturday before I set up camp in the same place I camped on October 12-13. I like that campsite for it’s easy access to the road, while still being remote enough to be […]