Batona Trail, Day 3 - Route 532 to Carranza Memorial

Day three saw our return to traveling north to south, starting at the same spot as the day before, the big "B".

I noted that Joe would not be with us for this leg, nor would he be on the next. He had broken a bone in his foot earlier in the year, and he was feeling it after two days of hiking. We missed having him along and hope he feels better and can join us for the second half of the trail.

Right at the trailhead, before the sign, we got our daily dose of Indian Pipe. It would again be common along the trail.

We are here. Well, we were.

We again started in the Franklin Parker Preserve. Only 36 miles to the end of the trail. After today's hike, it will be 31.

And the Franklin Parker folks wanted you to know (count the diamond signs).

Our trek started on sand roads.

Which the deer made good use of.

And this part of the trail was mostly open, perhaps because of fire (no doubt a controlled burn)?

We are arriving at Apple Pie Hill and were now in Wharton State forest. Think you're allowed to drive down this road (I count six signs that say no)?

Here the trail left the road.

And climbed the aforementioned hill to the fire tower. Which sadly one is no longer permitted to climb.

Back down the hill and into the woods.

We crossed over and then walked along ...

... a stream flowing through a cedar grove.

There were of course mushrooms and spider webs all along the way. Many spider webs that I had the pleasure of walking through. Yay.

There were occasional reprieves ...

.. with the trail now paralleling a sand road and a widening stream, as we headed toward the Batona Camp.

Sundews, one of my favorite Pine Barrens plants.

On the other side of the road were open fields.

Note the clouds ...

With wild flowers.

And fungi.

And it was here that we saw the first other people on the trail, although they were just out walking their dogs (they weren't all that friendly, although dogs seemed nice).

We had made it to Batona Camp, and it was now just a short walk to ...

... the Carranza Memorial.

🚶‍♂️  🚶‍♀️  🚶‍♂️  🚶‍♀️  🚶‍♂️

Another short leg, a little over five miles. Once again a good thing, as by the time we got home it was pouring rain. We would take Thursday off, as I had things to do, and resume on Friday. A day in which we would cross the halfway point.