Feb 6, 2016 Hike in Northern Portion of Little Manatee River Park

I was discouraged last weekend because of the trouble I had hiking with the back pack.  Had to keep stopping to catch my breath, plus muscles felt tired and sore.  Rather than progressing in getting in shape, I was going backwards.  I was worried also that if this kept up, the hike on the Appalachian Trail may not happen in May.

Was depressed during the week and drank too much gin a couple of evenings, one of them being Friday evening.

Considering what I drank, I did not feel too bad when I woke up this morning.  So I got ready to go hiking with the back pack.  There is always the thought that it would be easier to just sit around the condo today and not go out.  Have to fight this inner voice to keep moving until I get down the trail maybe a half mile and then I am glad I made it to the trail.

It was 51 deg when I hit the trail a few minutes after 8am.  Had three layers on the top part of my body under the backpack.  That was about right for the first mile and then started to get warm and took one layer off which was ok for the rest of the hike. 

I started out at the trailhead on US 301 north of the river.  Took the north leg of the trail about a mile to the first two track trail which I took north to continue exploring the northern part of the park from last weekend.  This two track turns back east and took it approximately a mile.  Had to go through some wet low areas but made it through without getting wet feet.

Saw a new hog trap and it had a 30 lb plus or minus hog in it.  He was scared of me so, I kept my distance in order not to spook him too badly. 

 Shortly after turning north on another two track trail, I saw a group of maybe 6 hogs, all about 30 lbs rooting along side the trail up ahead.  I moved toward them slowly and they moved off into the brush.  Then a sow ran across the trail about 30 yards ahead of me.  She was surprisingly fast and appeared to weigh a lean 200 lbs.  She must be nursing a litter because of the size of her udders.  All of the hogs were out of site before had a chance to take a photo of them.

This is what the next two track trail looked like. 

I suspect the area was farmed before it was purchased by the state for the state park.  This two track had been mowed and other than wet ruts was not too hard to walk.

There are other two tracks that show up on aerial maps but they have become overgrown to the point where they are hard to follow. 

Soon these will no longer be recognizable as tracks.  Due to areas of high grass, brush, and the roughness of the ground due to hog rooting, it was challenging to walk.

A few minutes before 11am a light rain started.  Decided not to put my poncho on since I might get wetter inside the poncho than without it because of the moisture it traps.

The rain steadily increased but never got heavy.  I had a couple of miles to go to get back to the trail head and the van.  I got damp but not soaked.  Wasn't uncomfortable.

After the first couple of miles the hiking became physically easier today which was a relief.  On the last 2 to 3 miles was able to walk at a good steady pace with out stopping to catch my breath. 

I used trekking poles for the entire hike.  I have become comfortable using them.  I  will miss hiking with out them now.  I believe it does take more energy hiking with trekking poles but there are benefits that offset this, such as helping balance, taking a little weight off your feet, and probing soft spots ahead before stepping in deep mud. 

Overall it was a good 4 hours today.