Day 116- Sunday March 6, 2016
Day 116- Sunday March 6, 2016
I learned about 8SR29 this week from a friend who is an avid historian and knows a lot about the area in which we live. A quick google search and I found the 'hidden' coordinates. The Butcherpen mound is a prehistoric archaeological site from the Weeden Island Culture from approximately 1005 CE (whatever that means). Basically, this was the theme of today's hike. To find the location and look for changes in geography, i.e. a mound in the wooded area of the Naval Live Oaks. There are no paths, no guided routes, no signs. The Park rangers and the Park does not have any type signage for this place. We were on our own, only armed with the 'trusty' GPS and coordinates.
We parked the car at the NLO north side parking lot, once again, and basically took the same route as we did two weeks ago. Avery went with us this time, a week out of surgery to try and get that knee in much better working shape. Figure 3 mile hike would have worked it pretty well. We spurred off the main Andrew Jackson trail to the high hill (reminded me of Sleeping Bear Dunes) and got a couple of pictures. Was happy to note two hammock campers with their hammocks all cinched up and over looking the bluff. We took a couple of pics and moved on.
After we came off the spur we got back to business--Jen and Amber had a much quicker pace than gimpy Avery so they got way ahead of us. We caught up at the end of the trial when it was time to head to the water. Because they were so far ahead, I decided not to explore the area where the mound was from the main path and wait to attempt to access it from the water side.
It wasn't a far walk once we got to the water. The compass pointed due south after we walked about 500 yards and the distance was approximately 455 feet. 455 deep thicket feet. Deep thicket, which is covered with thorny brush, more than likely tick infested dry thicket. We all wore shorts but Amber. Probably a not so wise decision. Not to mention, the bluff was located up off the water about 15-20 feet. We had to climb up tree roots and pull ourselves up. I shouted directions to Amber who led the way to this mound we were looking for.
After about fifteen minutes of bush hogging and trail blazing we were finally about fifty feet from the site. Before I knew it, everyone was standing on a definite change in landscape. They made it to the mound. I guess the GPS coords were on the south side of it, so in retrospect, it probably would have been better to get there from the south, but we didn't care--we made it! What a neat place--a very interesting UNDISTURBED place. I could find no trace of any type human trespass in a long time, which made me feel great that we accomplished this and found the place.
We tried to keep our visit as short and undisturbed as possible. Touched a few trees then blazed our way back out. The mound wasn't high, just noticeable. The pic above with everyone was the best I could describe it. No type of opening, or anything that looked out of the ordinary other than the hill we were on.
I learned about 8SR29 this week from a friend who is an avid historian and knows a lot about the area in which we live. A quick google search and I found the 'hidden' coordinates. The Butcherpen mound is a prehistoric archaeological site from the Weeden Island Culture from approximately 1005 CE (whatever that means). Basically, this was the theme of today's hike. To find the location and look for changes in geography, i.e. a mound in the wooded area of the Naval Live Oaks. There are no paths, no guided routes, no signs. The Park rangers and the Park does not have any type signage for this place. We were on our own, only armed with the 'trusty' GPS and coordinates.
We parked the car at the NLO north side parking lot, once again, and basically took the same route as we did two weeks ago. Avery went with us this time, a week out of surgery to try and get that knee in much better working shape. Figure 3 mile hike would have worked it pretty well. We spurred off the main Andrew Jackson trail to the high hill (reminded me of Sleeping Bear Dunes) and got a couple of pictures. Was happy to note two hammock campers with their hammocks all cinched up and over looking the bluff. We took a couple of pics and moved on.
After we came off the spur we got back to business--Jen and Amber had a much quicker pace than gimpy Avery so they got way ahead of us. We caught up at the end of the trial when it was time to head to the water. Because they were so far ahead, I decided not to explore the area where the mound was from the main path and wait to attempt to access it from the water side.
It wasn't a far walk once we got to the water. The compass pointed due south after we walked about 500 yards and the distance was approximately 455 feet. 455 deep thicket feet. Deep thicket, which is covered with thorny brush, more than likely tick infested dry thicket. We all wore shorts but Amber. Probably a not so wise decision. Not to mention, the bluff was located up off the water about 15-20 feet. We had to climb up tree roots and pull ourselves up. I shouted directions to Amber who led the way to this mound we were looking for.
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| Butcherpen Mound--finally found it! |
I really dig finding these type places. I hear, in Americas oldest city, there are lots of places like this nearby, but not as hidden. I'd like to make more of our hikes and walks to these type destinations before it gets too hot outside, which basically means we'll walk maybe 4 more times--hopefully 8 times before the heat and bugs become unbearable. Love to be hiking right now. Soooooo worth it. Great three hours in the woods today. Still love the area I live in. So much to be explored.
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