During September 16 – 17, 2025, I went on a backpacking trip to Dogwood Camp on the Neusiok Trail in Croatan National Forest. John Burt’s directions previously given to me for driving, parking, hiking, camping and getting water were perfect. Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. Thanks John! I parked in a small lot beside NC Hwy 101, across the road from a small wooden foot bridge, one mile south of the intersection with NC Hwy 306.
Dogwood camp is a fairly well maintained Appalachian Trail type shelter. It is only 0.75 miles from the parking lot. The side trail to the camp is marked with a wood sign. Unfortunately, based on the graffiti they left behind, a couple of teenage boys madly in love with some teenage girls totally vandalized the place by writing words in white chalk words on every exposed board. Unlike other northern sections of the Neusiok Trail, which had some hills and stream crossings, this section was flat and dry. Also, this section followed part of the Mountains to Sea Trail, so the trail markers nailed to trees were a silver strip of metal; and an orange disk with a silver arrow. All the trail sections I have seen so far are well cleared and easy to follow.
My pack weighed 40 pounds, which is about 15 – 20 pounds heavier than many ultralight backpackers brag about on Facebook. My heavy pack is due to mostly to my advanced age, after several surgeries, so I carry a CPAP machine, which runs on a heavy battery; hearing aids, cell phone and GPS which need another heavy battery to recharge overnight; a chair for my weak lower back muscles; the best (and heaviest) water filter on the market; a substantial first aid kit and repair kit; and a Springfield Armory 10 mm 1911 pistol.
Two of the three persons I met were hikers, a formerly British father and son, who are now members of the Carteret Wildlife Club, that were doing trail maintenance. They were friendly, and helpful to me. They answered many of my questions with information about the Neusiok Trail, three shelters and water sources.
The other person I met hiking was a middle aged Latina lady. Often when I am on an outdoor trip, other hikers, campers and paddlers I meet stop to ask me questions. Apparently, my appearance inspires their confidence that I know what to do. I call the activity being Ranger Bob. This lady did not have any information about the trail and was just walking randomly down the path about a half mile from the parking lot. I showed her my map, got her oriented on the trail and suggested where she could hike.
A surprising feature was a wooden footbridge over a marshy section. Over the years, I have traversed many of them. But this one was totally wet and in full shade. It had some kind of algae growing on it that was as slick as real winter ice. Even using my two hiking staffs and walking with slow, short, baby steps, I still slipped off a couple times.
Several months ago, when I camped at the Rattlesnake shelter on the Neusiok Trail, I reported water was a severe problem. A US Forest Ranger told me that the water there was potable, so I did not bring any It was so muddy as to clog my pump and be unfilterable; plus, it was tidal influenced, brackish and tasted terribly of salt. So, this trip, I was also did not bring water and was apprehensive of what condition I would encounter. About 30 yards downhill from camp was a spring of fresh water, like John said. It was covered with all kinds of tree leaves, sticks and pine needles, but it was perfectly clear and tasty. It filtered well and I got 4 liters in a few minutes, which was enough for my overnight trip. Both John and the CWC hikers let me know that if the spring water was not sufficient, I could stay on the main trail a couple hundred yards past the shelter turn off, to where a bridge crosses the West Prong of Morton’s Mill Pond Creek with fresh water.
Many years ago, I invented a portable wood stove that is better than most on the market. The salient features are, first, a screen raised off the bottom to hold up the wood fuel, where holes let in air to rise through the fire box and fan the flame hotter. Second, the stove chimney is bigger than my cook pot, so the flames and heat hit the pot bottom, then rise around the sides to convey more heat to the pot. I brought it on this trip. Also, I skipped my usual freeze dried meal packets and brought only fresh food. For supper, I had fried country ham, pinto beans with onions, cornbread and a fresh sliced pear with Gatorade. For breakfast, I had bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, grits and a tangerine with hot coffee. I loved all the smells of wood smoke and cooked food, many flavors and the warm ambience. I am sure there were no bears in the area, or they would surely whiff my food scents and come lumbering into my camp.
While in camp, I enjoyed some Kentucky bourbon and a Puerto Rican cigar.
Along the trail, I saw signs of the end of summer. Mixed with bushes of evergreen leaves were dead ferns with brown leaves.
