Pinhoti -Jonas Branch loop trail report

We had a wonderfull hike today. I would like to thank everyone who give me info and helped to plan the
We started out on the Pinhoti at P burns trail head . The first quarter mile is probably the hardest part of the loop. The grade is pretty steep and had our hearts pumping. There is a really nice rock to sit on and take a break near the top. There are a few more hills after that We saw a nice little brown toad along the way and spotted a turkey. It did not run away at first just kind of slowly walked away. We thought it might be hurt because it had green bottle flies all over it.

The only water we saw where two small streams barely running. After a while we came to a nice view of what I think was hiker ridge but I'm not sure. We then found a nice log siting up off the ground and sat down and had a snack. ( homemade gorp made from granola bars marshmellow raises and mixed dry fruit yummmm). We came up the the 4 way and took a left on Jonahs branch. It did not take long and there was water every where. It is vary pretty and peaceful along this road and it really feels more like a trail then a road. We crossed about 3 streams before I found one I like to get water from. It had a little waterfall about a foot high.

We then headed on the to the Indian caves. Along the way we saw a rock Cliff that had several over hangs maybe big enough for one or two people. But that was before the waypoint I had for the first cave. We never did spot the first cave that I had a waypoint for but we found the side trail for the other one. The path went about a third of a mile and crossed over a small stream. I was not expecting what we found it was amazing. The cave was about 20 feet wide and head height almost all the way in . It went back about 20 feet before you had to duck and then problem another 15 or 20 feet more. We did not crawl in to the back but it there was some rocks piled at the back and it looked like it may have went even farther back. You could see soot marks on the celling and it went all the way back . I wish I had the camera but I could not find it that morning but we are planing on coming back. We sat down and had lunch before leaving. The dollar tree sells pepperoni and salami in flat packs and we had it and some tortillas . While eating we saw a fire headed skink.

We then went back to the trail. We tried to find a path that was supposed to go to an over look but had no luck finding it. The forest was vary thick in that area. We crossed several more nice steams. I had brought along some crocks for the crossing but never had to use them and keep my feet dry the hole way. Poor Evan keep finding ticks on him probably a dozen or more crawling and pulled 3 when we got back. I used OFF spray that morning and only found one and pulled one. As you come up Jonas all the side stream seem to merge as you come back up to P burn into one nice stream. When finally found our way back to the trail head and headed out. One the way back we stopped by a nice swimming area under a bridge I put my crocks on and walked around. The water was COLD and felt good one my feet. We also picked up a geocache while there. I would say the hike took about 5 or 6 hours . I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back with a camera.

Bella