My last day within the Jay Mountain Wilderness begins at the serene Merriam Swamp but takes an ugly turn while bushwhacking back to the marked trail. Dense vegetation, ancient blowdowns, panicking ruffed grouse and rock cliffs are just a few of the obstacles overcome. It is not all bad though, as I find the perfect resting rock and briefly step out of the forest for a gorgeous view of the surrounding area. The trail not only provides a swift exit from the area, but provides my first interactions with actual people after six days of solitude. A great ending to a fabulous trip, even if the eventual fate of Lot 8 is never far from my mind.

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