Is there really anything better than spending a summer day soaking in cool waters? I’m hard-pressed to come up with a better way to spend an August weekend, and that’s just what we did on our recent adventure to Otter Creek.
Over the past few years, Michael and I have been leading swimming hole trips in the summer. It’s been a while since we visited Otter Creek, so we were due for a return trip. I vacillated a bit on the splits by day, wanting to see how the weather would be. Early in the week, I spotted highs in the mid-80s and lows in the upper 50s at night – perfect temperatures.
The way we usually hike Otter Creek is to start at the Mylius Trailhead and then make our way up. From there, you have options. Continuing straight on Mylius gets you to Otter Creek faster—much faster (like less than four miles of hiking faster). Turning to pick up Shavers Mountain and following that along the ridge gives you more hiking for the day (12ish miles), but you’ll get to Otter Creek later in the afternoon.
The weather continued to stay perfect so there was really only one choice: get thee to a swimming hole, stat.
On the way out, we had the most efficient Sheetz stop I’ve ever had in DC UL memory and managed to meet Jason at the trailhead around our projected ETA. Frosty beverages were wedged into packs, and away we went.
We were aiming for a campsite past the intersection of Otter Creek with Moore Run, but Michael spied what promised to be a deep swimming hole. We found a campsite nearby. Shelters were quickly set up, and then it was all about swimming.
And dear reader, it was a great swimming hole with numerous ledges and rocks for lounging, including a ledge perfectly situated under a small waterfall that, of course, most of our group explored.
We spent a good time lounging there and then made our way back to camp for a merry bonfire. Backpacker midnight came early.
Sunday, it was all about hiking. We continued along Otter Creek to the Green Mountain Trail. Some trail work must have been done on it as it was not as eroded in previous trips, but the climb lasted longer than I thought it would. Eventually, we reached the top and then worked our way along the ridge.
The post-hike plan was to stop at the Alpine Lodge. Like many plans, it was a good one and then quickly fell apart. Jason headed out first, but the lodge was closed. We didn’t have reception at the trailhead, so he opted to head back home to Ohio. Annette’s car was the next to leave. She also discovered that the lodge was closed; her directions took her to Davis to head home. My car was next to make the discovery. We headed back the Petersburg way. Despite our various vectors, we all made our way home.
(As an aside, my car stopped at the new Hermitage Inn & Taphouse in Petersburg for a post-hike meal. I’ve spotted it on my trips this year to Dolly Sods and thought it looked like a nice place to stop. It was. The burger hit the spot. Definitely check it out if you are heading that way.)
Congratulations to our new members: Yonatan, Clay, Annette, and Brienna!
DC UL Backpacking 
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