Thursday, March 26, 2026

Mountains to Sea Trail - Bull Mountain Trailhead to Haw Creek Overlook

Date Distance Time Elevation Gain Average Moving Time Year to Date Miles
3/26/2026 3.8 miles 2 hours 20 minutes 506' 1.8 mph 57

Parking: 
  • Bull Mountain Trailhead
Map:
  • Gaia GPS app
Directions:
  • Take the side trail to the MST. Turn left on the MST and hike to Haw Creek Overlook. Return the same way.

It feels like a long time since I've hiked this section of the MST. We used to hike it all of the time. We started hiking it less due to angry bears in the summer & fall. I was feeling pretty out of shape today, but my hips felt reasonable about the elevation gain. We encountered no bears today. We haven't seen our first bear of the year yet. I think they become more active in April. A few wildflowers on the trail, and just a few other hikers.

Although the trail is in good shape (except for a little graffiti), I'm still shocked every time I come, by the devastation from Helene in this section of the MST. Down trees everywhere - except on the trail due to the hard work of the CMC trail maintainers! There's a bench on the trail, and we always would take Krumm's photo on it. He would always jump up on the bench on the way back down the mountain. Well, the bench was damaged by Helene. The wooden seat is now on the ground. Krumm ran up to it and sat on the bench on the ground & turned around and smiled at us. He's so smart and so funny.





We saw many Appalachian Bellwort along the trail

And a few Bloodroot flowers



Hanging out in a shady spot at Haw Creek Overlook


Trailing Arbutus




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