Originally posted 4 | 12
Loading the pack, meeting a friend, packing the trunk, checking the map, it can only mean one thing…road trip!
I met my friend Andy (Two Speed) and hit the road for Cumberland Island, GA for a few days of island hiking and camping; CI is Georgia’s southernmost barrier island and National Seashore. We left Atlanta for the long drive to the coast camping the first night at Crooked River SP and eating supper at Barbara Jeans and the best crab cakes ever.
This was my second trip to CI and Andy’s first, the first for me was in 2000 when I kayaked across and camped. This trip we decided to take the ferry and backpack to the north end of CI.
We caught the ferry from St. Marys over to the Sea Camp dock and Rangers Station on CI where we sat through the required long orientation (note to self…next time kayak across) before getting the backcountry permits and finally getting on the trails.
From the Rangers Station we hiked north along the main road stopping at Plum Orchard for lunch and watching wild horses.
Built in 1898, Plum Orchard is a 20,000 square foot Georgian Revival mansion.
From Plum Orchard we hiked to Brickhill Bluff on the west side of CI overlooking the Cumberland River and marsh, excellent camp for sunsets.
On day two we hiked across the South Cut trail through a marshy section, the sides of the trail had evidence of several alligator slides and tail drags in the sand, time to move on.
After reaching the beach we hiked north to the West Cut trail to the first African Baptist Church where we had lunch and I assessed the dirt collection on my feet. The first African Baptist Church was established in 1893 and then rebuilt in the 1930’s. It was the site of the wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
From there we split up and meandered back to camp, I went down to the Cumberland Wharf Ruins and hiked along the marsh before re-entering the Maritime forest.
Day three, we packed up camp and headed out, Andy took the Bunkley Trail and the various trails that followed. Once again I found myself on the South Cut Trail in hopes of seeing an alligator, (I didn’t) then taking the Roller Coaster Trail south to the Lost Trail and Duck House Trail before finally reaching the beach, seashells, wildlife and sun.
Our final night was at Sea Camp a developed campground with showers (it sure felt good to get the sunscreen and bug juice off) and Sea Camp was convenient for us to catch the morning ferry back to St Marys.
A Wild Turkey roosted in the Live Oaks above my tent for the night and let me know when it was time to wake up the following morning.
Costal hiking and camping is different than I’m used to, it’s flat, there’s sand and lots of it, it’s everywhere and it’s in everything and the flying teeth known as noseeums were out in force.
Over all it was a great trip, extremely easy hiking, great campsite selection and my hiking partner had hilarious stories to share…Britney Spears we love you. 
A full photo set can be viewed here
Tagged: camping, hiking, trips
