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You have to ride back."Training doesn't start until you get tired." Lol. Or you plan based on your ability, and turn around and go back. Tbis trail is gently uphill from south to north, so start at the bottom and ride up. That way the return trip will be easier.

Just 2, but unless you ride often try the half way point at Anderson Park and then after you feel confident go the sixty miles. I like doing it on cold days in winter when traffic is low ( weekdays ). Days are short, so you might need to push a little but it's not break neck pace.

Hey - I’m glad you had a great experience. Raven Rock is a great local jewel.

I appreciate the comments. It is always fun to document my trips to capture the memories.

@@jonathanwalker7278 🙌🏻

Thank you. It’s a great trail. Yes, I’ve seen ebikes on the trail.

@@jonathanwalker7278 thank you for the quick response. I appreciate that.

Thanks Sean. I usually try to reply sooner but I came across your message now. My son and I are planning to tackle the 33 miles again this summer. It’s hard to believe it has been almost a year.

Thanks for the comment. I do think the appropriate term would be a “raccoon hang” or “rodent hang” for the Uwharrie area. I have not seen any sightings or signs of bears within Uwharrie; however, I’ve personally seen four black bears on the Appalachian Trail around the Lemon Gap and Walnut mountain areas. I try to make it a habit to hang my food on all backpacking trips. Better be safe. I’d like to hear more of your experiences working for the USFS.

Thanks Tim. We had a great time and I can’t wait to get back to Raven Rock soon.

I typically always hang my food to be proactive about keeping my gear free from all critters.

Wait so James is the son

We started at the Birkhead Mountain Trailhead. After a couple of miles, you will come to a fork in the trail where the Robbins Branch Trail ends at the Birkhead Mountain Trail. We continued straight at the fork and setup camp a couple of miles past the fork on the Birkhead Mountain Trail. We had no water sources but the campsite was great. At the fork, if you take a right on the Robbins Branch Trail instead of staying straight, there are plenty of water sources but I don’t remember the available campsites being as nice. You’ll be hiking parallel with a creek and you’ll cross the creek a few times. Personally, I would recommend packing in water and staying straight at the fork and setting up camp on the Birkhead Mountain Trail. Please use a map or GPS map because there are many trails that cross each other. I used the AllTrails app.

I've only been to Uwharrie once, started at 24/27 and went north a few miles past 109, so about 13miles from the trailhead and returned on the Uwharrie trail the next day. Right now Uwharrie is about the only place open for backpacking so probably headed there tomorrow. Yes, I have paper map,compass, avenza and all trails. Have you ever been from 109 to flinthill Rd? Looking for water knowledge. I do have the ability to carry 2.5 liters in bottles and 2liters in Sawyer bags, but don't want to unless I have to. Thanks for the info. I enjoyed your content

Usually I head west to Natty, Pisgah somewhere along the BRP or the Gorge. Kind of liking Uwharrie National Forest though, nice little hidden gem

In Uwharrie I’ve only backpacked on the Birkhead Wilderness Trail Loop and the Dutchman Creek Trail. I have another video on my channel hiking the Dutchman Creek Loop. That was a great hike too but definitely more of a a strenuous hike when hiking the loop counterclockwise. I would definitely check out the Dutchman Creek Loop of Uwharrie. There were no water sources when hiking the loop counterclockwise but if you hiked the loop clockwise from the trailhead, there are several great tent sites approximately 2-3 miles from the trailhead with a creek nearby. Let me know if you have any questions on sections of the AT when it’s open again for backpacking. I’ve done several sections of the AT along the NC/TN border. Good luck with your hike!

Thanks Jonathan, I might do the dutchmans/Uwharrie figure 8 this weekend or the Uwharrie trail north from 109 to flinthill Rd. On a map there are some creek crossings,but you know as well as I that doesn't mean water for sure. As far as AT sections, sure I'd take any info I can get. I have a list of sections I want to do including Grayson highlands, roan , the boarder to Franklin, GSM and a hike into or out of hot springs. Also want to tackle the Art Loeb and the Foothills trail also. Do you have an email address I can reach you at for future contact?

Thanks for the comment. I look forward to doing that loop again.

Hi Mike. I mentioned in the video that we walked clockwise on the loop. We actually walked the loop counterclockwise. The trail is relatively flat for the first five miles then it begins a steady climb for a while. Hiking the loop counterclockwise you’ll cross a couple of creeks but they were all dry the weekend that we hiked. Unfortunately, I packed in four liters instead of my normal two liters because we were in a dry spell and I knew creeks would be dry. Overall, this is a great section of the Uwharrie. Check out my other video from my trip on the Birkhead Wilderness Trail in Uwharrie back in March 2019. The Birkhead Wilderness Trail is another great section to consider in Uwharrie. Have fun!

I did catch the direction misdirection; no harm no foul. Thanks for your quick reply and you have a new subscriber! See you out there!

Thanks. It was a fun trip.

Hey Davis - It was great to have you on the trip. This will be the first of many backpacking trips for you. Thanks for being a great friend to James.

Thanks for the comment and thanks for subscribing.

We started at the Tot Hill Farm trailhead. It’s a small parking lot with easy access. I would recommend this trailhead.

There are several campsites along the trail. We camped at a site approximately 4.5 miles from the Tot Hill Farm trailhead access. When you approach the Robbin Branch Trail at 2.6 miles, stay straight instead of turning right onto Robbins Branch Trail. You approach a campsite on the right at mile 4.0 that has a lot of rocks. We continued another half of a mile to the campsite that we camped at. It was a great campsite.

Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s a wonderful section. You will have a blast. Check out some of my other videos of the section from Carvers Gap to 19E...another great section that includes five open balds to hike over. The Carvers Gap to 19E section is one of the most beautiful sections. If clear days are in the forecast you should definitely try it sometime...Hump Mountain is over 5,000 feet in elevation and provides incredible 360 degree views. Mountain Harbour hostel provides shuttles to Carvers Gap and you can do the 15 miles back to the hostel in one or two nights.

Jonathan Walker I have done that section!!! It is amazing

Thanks so much for the comment. We had great weather both times that we hiked the Roan Highlands section in April and May. I’ll definitely check your video. Can’t wait to get back on the AT.

That would sound like fun