Birkhead Mountains Long Hike

Sunday morning, I woke up just before sunrise and broke camp and left the park.  On the way home, I stopped at the Thornburg Trailhead for Birkhead Mountains Wilderness in Uwharrie National Forest, planning to hike all of the trails.  Just past the trailhead was the Lewis-Thornburg House.

There were a number of old restored farm buildings around the homestead.

The trail then headed into the woods and reached Robbins Branch Trail in just over 1.5 miles.  I went left and descended down to Robbins Branch.

In another mile, Robbins Branch Trail ended at Birkhead Mountains Trail and I went left towards the Tot Hill Trailhead.

After crossing the summit of Coolers Knob Mountain, the trail descended steeply for a short section.

I turned around at Tot Hill and took the yellow-blazed Camp Three Trail on the hike back.  It made a 2-mile loop with Birkhead Mountains Trail and passed by several nice campsites.

I then got back on Birkhead Mountain Trail to Hannahs Creek Trail.  There was some holly with bright red berries along the trail.

Hannahs Creek ended at Robbins Branch Trail and I took this back to Thornburg Trail and back to the trailhead.  It turned out to be over 18 miles and I was pretty tired when I finished.  But it's only about 1.5 hours back Raleigh.