Tangled mess — view of a small hollow off the Big Piney Trail.
Day Three — Rocky Outcrop by the Big Piney Trail — South Loop.
May 21, 2023 12:32
Camped at sunset.
May 20, 2023 20:28
Camped at the end of Day Two — And I’m facing east, ready for the morning sun.
May 20, 2023 18:15
Ticks and Chiggers and snakes! Oh my! This (and the heat) is why I don’t like summer backpacking. All those places for ticks, chiggers, and snakes to hide! And don’t forget the spiders too…
May 20, 2023 16:43
I had just crossed Paddy Creek Road for the second time today.
May 20, 2023 15:24
Lunch in the shade by Paddy Creek.
May 20, 2023 14:49
Paddy Creek Crossing — Looking down Paddy Creek from the crossing. +1
May 20, 2023 13:33
Gary (and company) at the Paddy Creek scenic overlook. 2
May 20, 2023 12:50
It’s a long way down — according to the map, over 200 ft.
May 20, 2023 12:48
Scenic Overlook — Paddy Creek, looking southeast.
May 20, 2023 12:46
Scenic Overlook — Paddy Creek, looking northwest.
May 20, 2023 12:45
Scenic Overlook of Paddy Creek on the Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness, Missouri.
May 20, 2023 12:33
Spur trail to Big Piney Trail Camp.
May 20, 2023 12:16
All motorized vehicles prohibited on this trail — Sign just after crossing Paddy Creek Road.
May 20, 2023 11:44
Gary, about to cross Paddy Creek Road — The Big Piney Trail has three road crossings. I’m about to cross Paddy Creek Road, and if things go according to plan, I’ll be crossing it again a few miles further on and after lunch.
May 20, 2023 11:41
Day Two — Camped off of the North Loop of the Big Piney Trail. +1
May 20, 2023 8:47
Visitor — It’s not the first time I’ve shared my tarp with an amphibian when it rains.
May 19, 2023 20:43
Junction with the shortcut to the South Loop. Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness.
May 19, 2023 17:31
No one at home — someone has removed the surprise from this trash/swill can. That’s very mean. +1
May 19, 2023 17:10
Lunch Stop — Time for lunch, a cup of tea, some noodles and summer sausage. +2
May 19, 2023 14:57
Junction of the North and South Loops, Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness. For a change I’m starting out on the North Loop (left).
May 19, 2023 13:58
Starting Out — Hiking the Big Piney Trail Clockwise. I’ve taken a day off so that I can spend three days on a slow hike of the 16-mile loop of the Big Piney Trail in Paddy Creek Wilderness. Unlike previous trips, it is forecast to rain on the first day, not the last. +1
May 19, 2023 13:47
Journal: Three days hiking at Hercules Glades Wilderness, April 2023. My original plan for the weekend was scrapped. With some time on my hands, I decided to head down to Hercules Gades for a couple of nights. Journal: 8 25