On Saturday April 1st, 7 hikers (none were ‘new’ hikers) met Sam Morales, hike leader, at New Simpson HIll school, on a sunny, windy, cool morning. We then moved out to the Gum Springs Trailhead. The parking area already had 2 horse trailers.  We headed out on the River to River trail. We had just enough rain the previous day or so, to make the trails a little bit, but not “too” muddy, and yet make streams flow with waterfalls nicely flowing. We were easily able to see several cascades during the entirety of the hike. Our 1st main stop, at the top, then the bottom, was Easter basket Falls. It was flowing nicely. On our way over to the next spot, we met a small crew of horses and riders. We then got to the Easter Basket arch, which 2 hikers took turns being “king”. On the way to our next stop, we saw a deer, down in a creek, which was either caught in something or injured. It eventually got free, but was hobbling We were able to find 2 windows, 1 we knew about, another was pretty small, that maybe a fist could go through. We then made it to J. D. Falls, where we stopped and ate lunch. We also took the group picture at J.D. Falls.  We then climbed up and went to the sandstone barrens above the J.D. falls, which had water coming in from 2 directions. We encountered another small group of horses/mules with their riders, which hike leader Sam Morales helped with some directions. We hiked a bit over 5 miles. Some went the short trek over to Hogg Bluff, which is on Camp Ondessonk property afterwards. 

I am sorry this gets out so late. It is Not Pres. Bill Gilmours’ fault that this is just now coming out. Mine. 

The hike this week, Saturday, April 8th, is meeting at Camp Cadiz, which is south of the Karbers Ridge blacktop. Steve Melville is leading us into some interesting areas. Until then, See Ya’ll “On the Trail”.