This is the hike that tried to kill me. Or, at least, seriously hurt me. The hike was rated "easy" by my guide book but what it doesn't mention is the ankle-deep mud and the thousands of tree roots that are ready to trip you up. Because it had rained that morning, it was still wet and slippery in sections; I ended up on my ass more than once. Oh, and let's not forget the flies and mosquitoes. Fortunately I had doused myself in DEET from head to toe and I didn't get bitten even once.

The worst part was that I had started the hike too late and it started to get dark before I reached the end, so I had to turn back. The path of the trail was not always obvious and it was already all to easy, in good light, to accidentally go off the trail. In near-darkness that could have been dangerous. I was very relieved when I spotted the bright lights of the parking lot. All I wanted to do was get off that mountain and go home.