Boogerman Trail

Sunday morning, we woke up and packed up camp as soon as possible to get in a nice hike before heading back home. We moved our cars to the trailhead for Caldwell Fork & Boogerman Trails hiked across the first of many footbridges. Hiking on the Caldwell Fork Trail, we passed the first turn for Boogerman Trail. I had hiked this trail in March and two of the bridges were out requiring stream crossing and butt-sliding across a narrow log. But the park had replaced one bridge and stream crossing could be accomplished by walking across a very large tree that had been cut down. So we didn't have to get out feet we this time. At about 2.7 miles, we came to the second junction with the Boogerman Trail and turned left to begin a gradual climb. Along the way, we saw some artifacts from before the area was a park - an unknown metal device, an old foundation, and some stone walls, including one that is still in very good shape.

We also stopped at the big tulip poplar tree with a hole so big, at least two people can fit inside. After some amusing pictures, including handstands and yoga poses at the tree, we continued along the trail. But we didn't go too fast, because there were just too many opportunities for beautiful pictures of the fall foliage.

Leaves in every shade of red, orange, yellow, pink, and peach brightened the landscape and made for a very relaxing and enjoyable hike.

We even found another giant tulip poplar, this one with a hole in the back, so it was not as obvious from the trail. And the hole went all the way up with light coming in at the very top. Continuing on, the trail twisted around before starting to head back down and joining back up with the Caldwell Fork Trail.

When we got back to the car we didn't leave immediately. Instead, we headed back towards the group camp and stopped at the Palmer House were two male elk were grazing near the road.

We walked around the old barn and headed up to the cemetery for more pictures and stopped again at the Cataloochee overlook for some last fall foliage views before heading back home to Raleigh.