Section 3 of OHT - Have Questions...

We are hiking section 3 this weekend (Cherry Bend to Lick Branch, including Spy Rock Loop) and are trying to determine the best way to divide it into 3 days. We have heard there is a primitive camp site somewhere on the OHT near Spy Rock Loop. We are also trying to determine the best spots to camp along the way dividing up the mileage as evenly as possible. I would love to hear your suggestions...

Also, does anyone know the condition of the trail recently? It has not rained now in a couple of weeks so I am wondering if the waterfalls will be flowing much. Anything we should be sure to see on this section?

Thanks in Advance!

I've hiked that section as an overnighter a couple of times and always camped at Herrod's Creek. If I were going to make three days out of it, and since there's no water at Hare Mtn., I think I'd make it a long first day and still camp at Herrod's then camp at Briar Branch the second night.

This weekend is the opening of modern gun deer season and the woods will be full of hunters in that area. You might consider waiting a week or two. Wear orange for sure if you're out!

We did this section in 3 days, 2 nights. Camped at Hare Mtn where there was water in the hand dug well on the old homestead site. We were careful to hang our food here but heard or saw no bear activity. I can't remember where we camped the second night but it must have been in the area of Indian Creek. Take the Marinoni Scenic Area at a slow pace in order to soak up all of the scenery.
Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the info. John, did you guys also do Spy Rock Loop? Did you notice a primitive campsite around that area? Someone on the OHTA Facebook page said they believe there is one right before the spur.

Owl, I realized it was the opening weekend of hunting season yesterday. The FAQ's on the OHTA website say that most hunters are very aware of the trail and that it should be safe. Is there really a reason to worry? I actually have an orange pack... but now I must admit I am nervous. This is the only weekend we can go before the end of the year.

[quote="hikerman446"]Thanks for the info. John, did you guys also do Spy Rock Loop? Did you notice a primitive campsite around that area? Someone on the OHTA Facebook page said they believe there is one right before the spur.

No, we just stuck to the OHT and didn't notice a primitive site. But you should be able to find something unless you have a large group.
As far as hiking during hunting season, I just wear a blaze orange baseball cap.......it's easily seen from a distance.

I think it is Briar Branch that has the nice little campsite next to the creek just before the Marinoni area; I've thought it would be a fine place to spend the night, but it is right on the trail though. I've hiked it a couple times and camped at Harrod's Creek each time. Hare Mtn, while a fine spot way off the main trail, can be windy!

You've picked a beautiful section of trail. Best wishes for your trip.

Hopefully in a couple of days ill be heading out towards cherry bend. Going to do the reddings loop then head back camping at herods creek.

I have not heard anything about that part of the trail.

Wear orange as others have said.

Glock always travels with me.

Have fun and be safe!

Just got home from the 3 day trip. We hiked from Cherry Bend to Lick Branch. We decided to skip the loop and Spy Rock this trip so we didn't kill ourselves. We stayed the first night at the primitive campsite at Herod's Creek. Greate site there, and we tried to build it up a bit with more rock chairs for the next group that comes through. We hiked up and saw the waterfall mentioned in Tim Ernst's book just up from the camp and then headed out toward Briar Branch. We camped in the spt that happy hiker mentioned on Day 2 and it was excellent. Very well built camp, right next to the water. We hiked down the creek about 1/4 of a mile to see that waterfall that is also mentioned in the book. There is still enough water to make the scenery excellent. After we left Briar Branch this morning, we had a nice short hike out to Lick Branch.

The hike was great, but to me it seemed a bit harder than Tim mentions in his book. The elevation changes seemed to take a bigger tole on us than we expected... but we had a 3 day supply of gear in our packs as well. The section right out of Briar Branch was excellent with all of the Bluffs and rock formations. Hopefully I will have some pictures to post in a couple of days.

Can't wait to get out and do the Reddings Loop and another section!

hikerman446 wrote:

The hike was great, but to me it seemed a bit harder than Tim mentions in his book. The elevation changes seemed to take a bigger tole on us than we expected... but we had a 3 day supply of gear in our packs as well.

I've always thought Tim's elevation profiles of the trail were suspect. More times than once have I had the same experience as you with the expected contours of the trail.