The second Big Paddy Creek crossing — After crossing the creek, the sign directs you to go right. No, not anymore. Follow the trail to your left. 1
2025
Frozen stock pond.
February 28, 2025 12:15
Looking out across ‘Spring Hollow.’
February 28, 2025 10:29
Camped above ‘Spring Hollow.’
February 28, 2025 10:05
‘Spring Hollow’ — I decided to camp above the big rock formation on the right. 2
February 27, 2025 16:00
‘Spring Hollow’ a great secluded spot — Getting here across all the large boulders and down the steep hollow sides can be a bit sketchy, but worth the effort.
February 27, 2025 15:58
Spring in ‘Spring Hollow’ — This spring is proving to be very reliable and was running well.
February 27, 2025 15:52
North Loop — At the start of the Shortcut to the North Loop. Paddy Creek Wilderness, February 2025.
February 27, 2025 14:04
Signs of confusion — It appears that the most popular route, along the North Loop to the falls (straight ahead) is no longer signposted. Plus, my plans and lots more confusion in general. Five-minute read, +4
February 27, 2025 12:27
Redistribution — After over a year of working out, I haven’t lost any weight, but it has moved around. My body fat percentage has dropped, and my muscle mass has increased slightly.
February 17, 2025 10:32
Heading out to the gym — It was tempting to take a ‘rest day,’ but I didn’t. Crossing the gym parking lot in my gym kit can be chilly at times!
February 12, 2025 7:06
No smoke without fire — I was some miles away the smoke was thick at the farm, and ash was falling from the sky. This was from a prescribed burn, not a wildfire.
January 28, 2025 17:35
No work. Feed me!
January 24, 2025 8:21
Dick on Ginger’s office couch.
January 22, 2025 15:46
Dick — Our grandcat has been visiting since before Christmas. He’s going home soon.
January 13, 2025 15:59
Journal: Hercules Glades in the snow, January 2025. A forecast winter storm in Southwest Missouri on January 9 and 10 was just what was needed to let me get some time out when the trail conditions would be a bit more challenging. Journal: 15 45
January 11, 2025 16:00
And finally… The roads had been plowed and were clear.
January 11, 2025 14:17
Day Three stats and end of hike thoughts.
January 11, 2025 14:00
Back at the Tower Trailhead. No tracks — so no one else has been here. Now I’ve got to get all that snow off the car.
January 11, 2025 13:51
Getting close to the trailhead — heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail.
January 11, 2025 13:24
Another Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail junction cairn selfie — Well, it had to be done with some snow in the background.
January 11, 2025 13:04
Heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail in the snow — Watch out for those low hanging boughs, they’ll dump their snowy burden on you if you touch them.
January 11, 2025 12:52
Is it a stupid idea if it works? — I don’t have footwear suitable for bad weather, so four years ago I bought some waterproof socks.
January 11, 2025 12:35
View across Hercules Glades Wilderness, looking south from the Pilot (Tower) Trail — This is one of the few places on the trail with a view to the south. I climbed up a little bit above the trail to get a clearer view of the horizon.