Picture of the DayThis blog chronicles the hikes I've completed in the "Lee 333 Challenge". I haven't set a challenge deadline because I can't dedicate myself 100% to it. However, if the SNAP500 (or SHEN500) can be done in one year, I don't see any reason why a dedicated enthusiast couldn't complete the "Lee 333" in under a year also.
Today's Hike:
Distance: 7.59
Duration: 4.24
Ascent: 1323ft
PATC Difficulty: 141
Lee 333 Progress Summary:
Trails: 20 of 106
Trail Miles: 53.24 of 342.82 miles
Hiked Miles: 100.93 miles
Today's Track
Today's hike only added about 0.8 miles to my Lee333 completed total. To complete the final 0.8 miles of the of Tuscarora Bear Wallow Section I, once again, hiked FR66 from the gate at its northern end to the Tuscarora trail. From there I hiked east up to the ridge where the trail intersects the Meneka Peak Trail, my goal. Then I just retraced my steps back to the car.
There where lots of horseback riders on the trail today. 
There where lots of horseback riders on the trail today.
For January, there were a lot of hikers and riders out, probably because the temperature peaked at about 45 degrees. Just past the gate on FR66, about 8 riders (all women), passed me. About a quarter mile farther on they stopped. I caught up and was able to talk to one of the riders and admire her horse.
One of several stream crossings
Typical FR66
Trail around the lake
Nice
Boy Scouts and the water bottle (white speck on the lower right)
At the Strasburg Reservoir, I caught up with a lot of boy scouts. I took the time to talk to a couple of their leaders. The boys had tossed a water bottle out on to the frozen lake and were attempting to tie together long sticks to reach it. They only got about 50% of the distance. They headed off around the west side of the lake while I continued on the east side.
Strasburg Reservoir
Boy Scouts Crossing the creek at the Tuscarora/FR66 intersection
Lunch Bench at the Tuscarora/FR66 intersection
Along the east side of the lake I passed the riders again. I think they were heading back south from there. Across the lake I could see the boy scouts, we reached the intersection on the north end of the lake at the same time. From there it is just a short distance to the Tuscarora intersection. I sat on a rock and watched them cross the creek and start up the east ridge. Once they were gone I took over the bench and had lunch.
Tuscarora/FR66 intersection
Me
Rider coming down Tuscarora from Meneka Peak Trail
I got started again and finally was on new trail (for me). It was a short 0.8 miles to the top. On the way up the trail gets rough. So you might imagine my surprise when I encountered three riders coming down the trail. They were stopped so I said hello and the lead rider asked me to take her picture with her phone and I asked if I could take a picture with mine too, she agreed. Unfortunately I took a blurry picture with my phone.
Tuscarora West of Meneka Peak Trail
Tuscarora West of Meneka Peak Trail (must be tough on horses)
Nearing the Peak
One of the few views (part way up to the ridge)
A switchback (part way up to the ridge)
Intersection with Meneka Peak Trail
Once at the top, I took a few pix, had a drink and headed back. On the way down, I passed a young woman with a husky dog with amazing grey eyes. We said hello but continued hiking.
From the ridge looking east
Woodpecker work at the ridge
See the lake from the ridge??
How about now?
Back at the Tuscarora intersection bench I rested. A young couple passed me coming back down from Signal Knob. At the next creek crossing, the couple were trying to find the best place to cross when I approached. The guy had crossed upstream and the girl was looking for a place near the road. I stepped across on rocks just under the surface of the water. Once she saw where I crossed she easily stepped across on the same rocks. I think they did not want to get dirty, their clothes and boots were new. In a few hundred yards they passed me again and I only saw them a couple more times in the distance. They were hiking much faster than me. I think they were parked on the other side of the ridge and still had a long way to go and it was getting close to 5pm and dusk.
Last view of the Lake
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