It was a hot summer. I haven’t hiked the entire Weetock in months. The parts I have hiked are a mess. I have spent some time chopping back some of the growth, but I probably haven’t made much of a difference. There are parts of the trail that are in great shape, and some of my favorite campsites are also much like I left them. I was really surprised at the condition of the official section of the Weetock trail. I would think the weeds hanging across the trail would really annoy the people who ride mountain bike on that trail, but nobody seems to be maintaining it.
I do plan to work on the unofficial sections of the trail, as time allows. If anyone wants to volunteer to help, any help is welcome. Every limb you remove from the trail helps. If you can do more, that’s even better!
I discovered a curious-looking plant on the south-side trail (pictured to the left). I’ve never seen anything like it, but after asking around, I was pointed to “Pinesap” or Monotropa hypopitys. It turns out it has a very wide range across most of North America. I probably won’t get any awards for discovering it.
I’ve been breaking in, or at least trying to break in, a pair of moccasin boots on my recent hikes. I wanted the boots to protect my lower legs from poison ivy and briars while I hiked in shorts. They work great for that, but they are not, so far, the most comfortable footwear. My feet have gotten more used to them, but they still hurt the back of my left heel after a few miles. I’ll try some different socks.
