Side Tripping
A drooping wire cable hangs between two large trees marking the trail’s end, and is a feeble attempt at serving as a barrier. Most folks visiting this mountain ridge though, heed this barrier, and I have too in the past. But today, I dip under and wander into the forbidden. As I trespass, I recall the names of the trustees that nearly two years ago granted me permission to wander off trail. If stopped, I’m prepared to drop the names of Dalke & Truslow to authenticate my trespass. The forbidden path I’m on was established in 1965. To further dissuade trespassing, the sign has been unscrewed from a tree and tossed aside. The John Trail is not nearly as clear as the one I’ve been on all morning. Undergrowth has reached in from both sides almost meeting in the middle of this now unblazed trail. Fallen trees are obstacles simply left uncleared. It’s primal woods walking. The John crosses Black Cotton ...