Sun, Sep 11 2011 - Bag Four 5000 ft Balds on the Rim Trail (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Scott Bennett, Scott Kozlowski Participants: Scott Bennett, Scott Kozlowski, Bharat, Andy Altman, Dinkar

Write Up:
Scott Bennett, Scott Kozlowski, Bharat Kaushik, Dinkar Singh and Andy Altman set off from Chastain Park and Ride at 7:30 on this beautiful early fall day to enjoy an 8 mile loop in the Fires Creek Rec area that included the highest ridgeline portion of the Rim Trail.

We hit the trail just before 11 after a few stops and a 10 mile drive up FS340 (should have been 9.5 but we added a tough section on the end of the road just to check the turning radius of the vehicles).  We took the Sassafras Trail which seemed to climb gradually taking some edge off the 1260 ft ascent although the last quarter mile was a grind.

Once up on the Rim Trail we rolled up and down past Signal Bald (right past it!) to Tusquitee and then Potrock Bald.  The rumors that the Balds had been cleared proved not to be true though we were still able to enjoy some astounding long range views on this crystal clear day.

What goes up...must come down...and down we came on the Far Bald Springs trail.  All five of us were heard to utter at some point how thankful we were to not be hiking up this trail.  Soon after the rate of descent relaxed we entered an unexpected wild corn field perhaps planted by some crafty hunters.  To our surprise we were not the only visitors in the field...a family of wild boar (2 adults and two piglets) emerged and began to jog in our direction.  Caught with the decision of digging out the cameras or avoiding the potential charge, we opted for the latter and began to yell and otherwise rant until the boar retreated.  Luckily Andy was able to quickly get to the back of the line to ensure we were not surrounded by any other wildlife (he swears this move had nothing to do with his fear of bacon).  Little did he know that as soon as we ran off the boars a black bear emerged from the corn!  After briefly showing himself, the bear scampered off as well.  Within 5 minutes we were back at the car pulses racing from the wildlife encounters.  Another fantastic hike filled with the unexpected...keeps us all coming back for more!

The remoteness of the Fires Creek area did not disappoint.  The wildlife sightings outnumbered the number of hikers in our group and we didn't see another soul on the trail.  The only signs of human impact were the fine trail maintenance that made the Rim walk delightful and the ascents and descents a bit more agreeable.  If you've never been to this area, you should check it out.

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