Boiling water in my bottle with instant coffee saved so much time.
I love getting out on the trails but lately every spot I pick is super crowded. Last Sunday I went to Maple Grove Path and it felt like a sidewalk with all the people and noise. I really just want to hear birds and the wind, not chatter and phones. Does anyone know of any lesser-known trails within about an hour's drive? I'm okay with a bit of a rougher path if it means solitude. I heard there might be some good ones past the old mill but I'm not sure. Any suggestions would be awesome, I need my nature fix without the crowd stress.
I was hiking up on Pine Mountain last week and a sudden mist wiped out all the trail markers. I couldn't see the next blaze and my phone had no signal. I started to get really worried about wandering in circles. Then I vaguely recalled a hiker once telling me that in this area, streams flow toward the main path below. I stood still and focused until I heard a faint trickle off to my left. I slowly made my way toward the sound and found a skinny creek. Following it downhill for about twenty minutes, I stumbled right back onto the marked trail. It was such a relief and now I always pay attention to natural clues like that.