Date: July 22nd
Location: Hawn State Park
Route: White Oak and Whispering Pine Trail Double Loop (Figure 8)
Stats: 13.1 miles @ 1463 ft elevation gain
Weather: Cool clear morning to hot mid day
After making a rather pleasant hour and a half drive from my domicile, myself and a few other trepid hikers embarked on what would turn out to be a very diverse ~13 mile loop at Hawn State Park.
I was very excited to be checking out another new state park (three in as many months.) The trail we selected was two big loops with an additional small loop at the very far mid point. From start to finish we traversed steep rocky pitches, bluff lines, river side trails, hiked in the river bed for a while (off trail), some flat woodlands of both pine and oak, and a couple open spots. It was a mostly shaded trail which was much appreciated as the day aged and the cool morning gave way to sweltering heat.
The trail itself was very easy except for the last couple of miles (going counter clockwise.) In the closing bits we decided to go off trail and hike up the river that ran along the trail. Some parts where easy, but eventually we had to bail and bushwack back to the main trail. Then with about a mile to go we traversed back up a steep and rocky bluff which was actually somewhat difficult.
Overall; it was a beautiful trail and a well maintained park. Except for a few downed trees I found it very well cared for. 10/10 will visit this place again.
Hiking early in the pine
First bluff view right about 45 minutes into the hike.
There was a tree down across a river at the far end of the small loop which allowed some us to cross the river and scramble up some boulders.
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