The title for this post is an apt one as there were no trails to be found on todays hike. It was actually not the best of days for a strenuous hike with the heat and humidity. Since I plan to hike the Appalachian Trail in ‘08, it would be best to be prepared for all weather conditions. The first two photos below are from where I entered the woods. I really expected to run across a snake today but, in that, I have always been lucky and somehow seem to avoid them. One thing is for sure, this is prime snake country. The photo of the pines is the best one from today, in my opinion. I’m still dealing with a very temperamental camera so I consider myself lucky to capture that photo.

The first photo below, after I got into the woods I could hear this gaswell the entire time. Naturally I went looking for it and ended up with a pretty good shot of the well and beyond. It was really hazy today so it was difficult getting a clear shot of anything at a distance. The second photo was my path back out of the woods. There was deer sign all over this road. They know a good thing when they see it. The last photo is of Mayapple already turning yellow from the lack of rain. It is normally one of the last plants to die in the fall. On another note, I saw no ginseng today and after getting into the woods, didn’t really expect to find it. It was way to dry…