A blunder is a bad decision or action, a mistake or error
with detrimental consequences to the party that makes it. It is
typically attributable to faulty perception: the result of not
reading signs, or misinterpreting available information.
Yes folks, that’s me, the blunderer.
After a little research I determined where I’d like to place two
additional caches in the Pheasant Mountain area of the Monongahela
National Forest. Armed with maps and the preliminary coordinates I
set off fairly early and all went well most of the way. Yeah, like
the first four miles of the way.
Parking at the Shingletree ( TR121, N end) trailhead on Clover
Run Road I proceeded, huffing and puffing at times, along this
trail for about 1.3 miles where I joined the Pheasant Mountain
Trail (TR120) and hiked a little over a mile in a southwest
direction to place the Fools
Run cache. I then reversed this trek back to the Shingletree
intersection and then proceeded in a southeasterly direction on the
Shingletree Trail ( TR121, S end).
Approximately a mile into this part of my travels, I see that
I’m getting near the second planned site. Nothing too radical just
a spot that promised a nice view of the Sugarcamp Run Valley. This
is where the blunder comes into play. It seems that FR933 is now
open for vehicular travel (not sure of the date range the gate is
open so one might have to walk the 1.5 mile in the winter) to this
point and has a parking area within 250’ of my proposed location.
ACK!!! This out of shape fat man had to hike over four miles to
find this out? (Note to self, get an updated MNF Hiking Guide.
) I can’t bring
myself to place a park-n-grab in the MNF so I did what any
self-respecting cat would do. I looked around for the highest spot
and headed thataway.
As always, use proper precautions during hunting season(s). Most
notably the two week buck firearm season that starts Thanksgiving
week.
Please pay attention to your surroundings, enjoy and be
safe.
The cache is a mid-sized lock-n-lock.