Weekend adventure at Norwich Bluff!

On Friday the 25th, with a dry and sunny weekend forecast looming, the pack loaded up the dog truck and camper for a camp-n-hike weekend.  Sorry that we've been overly busy and not been able to post this!   We pulled into the parking area at Norwich Bluff which we found very much to our liking.  We took many pictures over the weekend, so this will be split into 2 posts.

After camp was set up, it was time for some vittles.
Yes, it was already dark.

The next morning, us trail mutts are raring to go!

Still some fall colors left over.

Sun's not up until 8 so it was a relaxed morning.

Weed seeds? No, oats placed to lure grouse in.
They were found them spread around the whole parking area!

Finally the 2-leggeds were ready to go.

It was about 38 degrees in the morning.

We started out on an old mining 2-track.

Soon we saw this sign. Let's check it out!

Gee, a nicely tended cemetery indeed.

Surprisingly, there were graves from folks
who died as recently as 1995.

We read that the O'Rourke family are the only folks who
maintain the cemetery, so today theirs are the only graves
you see.
They were among the 1st Cornish miners here in 1850's.

The Bergland-Matchwood Historical Society
 has an interesting website, click this link for photos.

OK, that was interesting. Now let's go!

Just a bit more up the 2-track....

...then we headed up the "Mule Trail".
It was so steep, it's hard to believe mules ever hauled
anything up or down it.

Already a view and we're not even at the top.

Hey! We spied a bat cave.

We wondered if there are still bats living here.
So many have been dying off.

The junction of the Norwich Mine interpretive trail.

We decided to hike east today, along the NCT.

What a nice morning to be out in the woods.

Views abound in the Trap Hills.

Hey! I found a friendly back packer.

We were amazed to see a few painted blazes.

We made it to the Gleason Falls trail.

Puppies like to explore caves.

Although, I was a little nervous, and I was glad when
 the rest of my pack was closer.

We traverse the narrow path carved in near the rock.

Not sure how this trail marking method was inspired.

Yes, that's Gleason Falls to the right - see the ribbon says so.

This is a pretty little spot for sure.

Back up we scramble.

Such a pretty little creek.

The mutts led the way, as usual.

We spied this long-ago bent over maple with a painted blaze.

We took in another great view. Breezy at the top!

Fortunately there were lots of good drinking holes.

Ya, winter dogs need to cool off.

The 2-leggeds even had an easy crossing. This is Whiskey Hollow Creek.

Gotta love when the leaves are down,
and you can see the hills and valleys.

Another blazing style. There were 4 varieties on this stretch.

Back at camp, the puppy still needs more exercise apparently.

We had a "one-pot meal" paired with some red wine.

I'm hungry too ya know.

Later, we relax by the fire.

Little by little it was cooling down. Winter dogs don't mind that.

Later the lit collars came out.  What a nice evening!