On the South Loop of the Whites Creek Trail — despite the whole area being flooded yesterday, the trail was not washed out (here, anyway).
2023
Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness — Oh the joys of the Golden Hour (and being in the right place).
March 5, 2023 17:13
Whites Creek Cave — It’s a slightly better picture than last time. I used my headlamp to light the place up. I’ve tried to find out some more information about the cave, like how big it is and how far it goes back. Thus far I’ve drawn a blank. Let’s just say it’s big-ish.
March 5, 2023 15:38
Gratuitous Selfie — taken just because I took a picture of this sign the last time I hiked this trail. +1
March 5, 2023 15:19
Whites Creek — close to its confluence with the Eleven Point River — I stopped here to have lunch and enjoy the view.
March 5, 2023 14:00
Later today I’ll be hiking along that ridge line. It is a rubbish picture, but it does give a slight impression of what is in store. I’ve got to go all the way down and then back up again. Two-minute read
March 5, 2023 13:06
Drying out — That will teach me. I didn’t set the tarp and the dew point must have been just perfect for everything to get soaked, including my hammock and my down top and under quilts. I decided to delay the start of my day’s hike (any excuse) and get everything dry before packing it away.
March 5, 2023 10:19
Charging — Giving my InReach Mini and my GPS (phone) a boost. My power brick will keep all my electronics going for about a week. I’m impressed.
March 5, 2023 10:18
Morning messages — on my InReach Mini, All the condensation on the Sig and the holster shows just how wet everything got. I dried off the InReach Mini before I took the picture.
March 5, 2023 8:57
Time to get up — Yes, I sleep in my clothes, not all the time, but it is part of my layering plan when it gets cooler, and as I only had a 40F top quilt, this was one of those times.
March 5, 2023 8:38
It got a bit damp overnight — This is my down puffy jacket, my quilts faired slighlty better as my body heat was drying them as they got wet.
March 5, 2023 8:37
Day Three — Morning view from my hammock — look closely and you’ll see all the water drops on everything. Not setting my tarp was a big mistake. all my gear got wet.
March 5, 2023 8:36
Camped at the end of Day Two — I prefer camping on ridges to being down in the hollows. The downside is having to carry a lot of extra water up the ridge. Note my big mistake of the night. I didn’t set my tarp.
March 4, 2023 19:09
The only scenic view on the Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness — The Eleven Point River was very high, muddy and noisy after all the recent rain. At least I got a reasonable view of it on this trip. Last time it was hidden by all the leaves on the trees.
March 4, 2023 16:40
Bliss Spring (& a late lunch!) — just a quick snapshot. I took pictures and some video the last time I was here.
March 4, 2023 16:22
Old blaze — I’ve no idea where it leads, I’m not going in that direction.
March 4, 2023 13:39
Bliss Spring (and lunch) 3.9 miles — On my first visit to Irish Wilderness I made it to Bliss Spring in the first afternoon. Just as well I have an extra day for this trip.
March 4, 2023 13:09
Sinkhole — It was impressive because of how wide it was. I’ve seen a lot bigger and deeper, but it was impressive none-the-less.
March 4, 2023 12:01
Whites Creek Crossing. Apparently, this is where I should have crossed. (Stereo image). +2
March 4, 2023 11:55
Creek? What creek? Someone stole the creek overnight. +1
March 4, 2023 11:51
Spring water, Whites Creek. And in a few minutes I’ll be climbing the hill on the other side of the creek. +2
March 4, 2023 11:49
Camped near Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness.
March 4, 2023 10:37
Camped near Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness, waiting for the creek to drop down. And drop it did!
March 4, 2023 10:36
Morning view from my hammock as the sun breaks through. Not bad last night, it dipped to just below freezing. I was nice and warm.