Thursday, I continued heading west. After breakfast and checking out, I took I-10 west back into Mississippi. Near Biloxi, I got off on MS-67 to US-49 and parked at the trailhead for Tuxachanie Trail. This trail leads around 12 miles through DeSoto National Forest, though I wouldn't be hiking the entire thing. Hiking east, the trail follows old roads and was easy to follow with white diamond blazes.
Right near the start was a small pond full of lily pads.
A little further, I found a wet area full of golden club.
Also called never-wet, these plants have water resistant leaves and unusual yellow tipped flowers.
In about a mile, the traffic noise diminished and all I could hear was wind rustling through the leaves. In about three miles, the trail crossed the county line from Harrison to Stone county. The Forest Service map showed a pitcher plant bog near here but I was unable to find it. Bushwhacking through the dense vegetation was too difficult. A few of the bridges were out over some of the creek crossings but none were too hard.
The trail passed by a couple of scenic little swamps.
It was about 6 miles to Airie Lake and a small campground here. The lake was pretty small, more of a pond really.
I went about another 3 miles to a small pond filled with lily pads and stopped for a break to eat lunch before the long hike back.
It was a total of about 9 miles back to the car, but the weather was really pleasant and made for a nice hike. I found a couple of pitcher plants along the way back.
It was a little early for peak wildflowers, but I did see many yellow jessamine.
In about 3 hours, I made it back to the car along US-49.
Back at the car, I headed to Bay St. Louis and stayed at the Silver Slipper. For a casino, the staff were really rude and unhelpful. So instead of gambling, I walked along the pretty beach here.
A great blue heron flew by and landed in the water, looking for his next meal.
There were also a lot of gulls, sandpipers and pelicans. I walked a half-mile or so down the beach and then turned back.
Since it was close to sunset, I headed up to the top of the parking garage. Down below, Bayou Caddy flowed into the bay.
In a couple minutes, the sun began setting and the view was great up here.
Once the sun had set, I snuck back to my room to avoid the casino staff and retired for the evening.
Right near the start was a small pond full of lily pads.
A little further, I found a wet area full of golden club.
Also called never-wet, these plants have water resistant leaves and unusual yellow tipped flowers.
In about a mile, the traffic noise diminished and all I could hear was wind rustling through the leaves. In about three miles, the trail crossed the county line from Harrison to Stone county. The Forest Service map showed a pitcher plant bog near here but I was unable to find it. Bushwhacking through the dense vegetation was too difficult. A few of the bridges were out over some of the creek crossings but none were too hard.
The trail passed by a couple of scenic little swamps.
It was about 6 miles to Airie Lake and a small campground here. The lake was pretty small, more of a pond really.
I went about another 3 miles to a small pond filled with lily pads and stopped for a break to eat lunch before the long hike back.
It was a total of about 9 miles back to the car, but the weather was really pleasant and made for a nice hike. I found a couple of pitcher plants along the way back.
It was a little early for peak wildflowers, but I did see many yellow jessamine.
In about 3 hours, I made it back to the car along US-49.
Back at the car, I headed to Bay St. Louis and stayed at the Silver Slipper. For a casino, the staff were really rude and unhelpful. So instead of gambling, I walked along the pretty beach here.
A great blue heron flew by and landed in the water, looking for his next meal.
There were also a lot of gulls, sandpipers and pelicans. I walked a half-mile or so down the beach and then turned back.
Since it was close to sunset, I headed up to the top of the parking garage. Down below, Bayou Caddy flowed into the bay.
In a couple minutes, the sun began setting and the view was great up here.
Once the sun had set, I snuck back to my room to avoid the casino staff and retired for the evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment