Alors quand le temps c'est calme un peu et qu'il n'y avait que quelques risques d'averses, nous avons mis chaussures de randonnée au pieds et sac au dos pour aller dans la Pisgah National Forest.
Au programme un petit sentier pas difficile: Sycamore Cove. Le sentier fait une boucle et se trouve à proximite de l'entrée de la foret. Nous avons gare la voiture en bordure de la Davidson River, entre Sycamore Flats Recreation Area et le Davidson River Campground.
Ten days ago we did our first hike of the yead (besides Mexico). With the winter we've had, and which isn't quite over yet since there was a snow fall again last Monday, we haven't had many opportunities to go outdoors.
So when the weather cleared up and the risk of rain lowered, we took our hiking shoes and back packs and headed for the Pisgah National Forest.
Our plan was to hike an easy trail: Sycamore Cove. The trail loops and is close to the forest's entrance. We parked the car by the Davidson Rive, between Sycamore Flats Recreation Area and the Davidson River Campground.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-1.jpeg)
There are two trail heads, we picked the one closest to the Davidson River Campground.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-2.jpeg)
The trail starts by a creek. In fact the first half of the trail we'll stay close to a water source.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-3.jpeg)
Because of it of course there are tree trunks and bridges to keep the feet dry.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-4.jpeg)
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-5.jpeg)
It felt so good to walk in the forest, even with the few drops of water that found their way through the clouds. Smelling the North Carolina forest, what a pleasure!
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-6.jpeg)
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-7.jpeg)
But our surprise was on the second part of the trail, indeed we found ourselves high up,on the side of the mountain and with trees still bare, a beautiful view opened up to us. We were able to see the little town of Pisgah Forest, the campground and of course the mountains around us.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-8.jpeg)
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-9.jpeg)
You can see that Hemlocks are suffering from the attack of an insect, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, killing the trees. Other insects feed themseles under the bark, feeding in turn the woodpeckers and in the end you can find large pyramids of bark at their feet.
![Sycamore Cove Trail Sycamore Cove Trail](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/300/3005212/sycamore-cove-trail-L-10.jpeg)
Copy of the map to be added shortly.