Distance: 4.5 miles Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Moderate due to amount of uphill and rocky portions
Conditions: Cloudy. Light drizzle last half-hour. Low to mid 40s. Wind calm. Trails wet but not muddy. A few slippery spots. As normal for this time of year, Lake Martin was several feet below full pool.
Thoughts/Observations:
This hike was a fantastic way to start off the new year. All the elements of a great hike were present: solitude, peace, worship-time, beautiful scenery, wildlife, a placid lake, and rain! (Yes, I know I am a little strange, but I enjoy hiking in the rain.)
Observed gray squirrel, ducks, and heron. Some small kinglets escorted me through the lake-side portion of my hike. They just "flitted" from tree to tree all around me. The hardwood leaves cushioned my foot-fall making for a mostly silent hike. I am a little surprised I did not spook some white-tail deer.
The barrenness of the tree cover made the rock formations appear like fortresses along the hillside. A small "wet season" waterfall graced the huge rock on the South Loop trail with a nice staccato tune. The rock cathedral is still my favorite place though the pine trees are beginning to get tall enough to block out portions of the lake.
Thought about my hiking buddies from Crestview Outdoor Ministry Expeditions today! Wish you guys could have been with me.
Excerpt from "With Every Act of Love" by Jason Gray on mind throughout my hike:
God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you
I said, God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you
Oh, we bring the kingdom come
Oh, with every act of love
Jesus, help us carry You
Alive in us, Your light shines through
With every act of love
We bring the kingdom
Happy New Year!
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