• The Ridge Runner Trail Trailhead needs a bit of TLC

    The Ridge Runner Trail Trailhead needs a bit of TLC. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    The Ridge Runner Trail Trailhead — North Fork Recreation Area. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • One hour later … Crossing County Road CC

    County Road CC at the Ridge Runner Trail Crossing — looking towards the North Fork River. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Once on the trail it was straightforward to follow, and where it crosses CC is easy to spot once you know where to look!

    County Road CC at the Ridge Runner Trail Crossing — Looking away from the Northfork River. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    Ridge Runner Trail at the County Road CC Crossing — Lookin Northeast. I’ve driven up and down Hwy CC at least five times looking for this crossing and failed to spot it. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    County Road CC at the Ridge Runner Trail Crossing — looking towards the trailhead and recreation area. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Ooh look, there are newish blazes on this trail too

    Ooh look, there are newish blazes on this trail too. Note the buff to keep my ears warm. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    On the Ridge Runner Trail, and there are blazes. Once I was on the trail it was easy to follow, though at its junction with the North Fork Loop, it ran nowhere near the route shown on the map.

  • Found it! The lost trail junction

    Found it! At last, I have found the elusive point where the Ridge Runner Trail joins the North Fork Loop. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    At last, I have found the elusive point where the Ridge Runner Trail joins the North Fork Loop. And here there are very faint signs of the Ridge Runner Trail I’ve been hunting for over a year. This sign is in complete isolation and is in one of the two ‘Bermuda Triangles’ of the North Fork Loop, where blazes and trails alike disappear.

    You’ll notice there is absolutely no sign pointing in my direction, which is where the North Fork Loop joins.

    Next stop Blue Spring on the North Fork River and lunch (and to find out where the trail crosses Hwy CC).

  • Blazes? I’ll take some stinking blazes!

    Blazes? I’ll take some stinking blazes! It was a Windy, cold but bright start to the day. Back on the Ridge Runner/North Fork Loop trail, and there are some new blazes. There’s a chance I may find the trail Junction I’ve been searching for. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Camped among short leaved pines for a change

    Camped among short leaved pines for a change. I like camping among the pines, but it was windy and watching the tops of these 100 Ft. tall trees whip around, did make me wonder how much of a good idea that was. I’m still here, so it can’t have been bad choice. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Morning in the woods

    Morning in the woods — The temps dropped quickly last night. It was below freezing by 9 p.m. and dropped to 28F. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Trail Not Maintained

    Trail Not Maintained — that’s fine, the trail is in better condition than the maintained trail (I hiked this trail back in December). Not far to go to my planned stopping point and it is still light. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Another evening, another trailhead

    Another evening, another trailhead. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I am at County Road CC Trailhead in Ozark County to be precise. I have a couple of hours before it gets dark to get to my planned campsite and set up camp for the night. That shouldn’t be a problem as I’m only going a mile or so.

  • Plans for the weekend

    Plans for the weekend — Ridge Runner/Devil’s Backbone. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    This is the last of my ‘Must do’ winter hikes before spring takes off. I have had two failed attempts at finding where the Ridge Runner Trail joins the North Fork loop. I’ve decided if I can’t find the trail this time, I’ll bushwhack my way, and that needs to be done before the trees and underbrush start leafing out.

    I also want to bushwhack my way from the McGarr Ridge Trail to McGarr Spring, just because I think it should be easy to do.

  • Journal: Four days hiking the Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness, March 2023

    Whites Creek Trail Loop Completed. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

     I plan on spending four days hiking the 20-mile loop of the Whites Creek Trail in Irish Wilderness. I’m hoping there will be a bit of a view from the trail’s only scenic overlook. A recent storm that passed through the area may make the trail a tad tricky. We’ll see.

    For details of my trip

    Journal & Photos
    Photos

  • End of hike selfie

    End of hike selfie — Three nights, four days. Twenty-one miles and 1600 ft. Nothing too strenuous, but I’m nearer to 70 than 60, not to mention having to keep an eye on my heart (well those are the excuses I’m fielding at the moment). Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Camp 5 Pond in the winter sunshine

    Camp 5 Pond in the winter sunshine — once again our car is the only one at the trailhead. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • First Creek Crossing, reprise

    First Creek Crossing, reprise — looking at the leaves, there was no way this was knee deep at any time. Unless the guys I met on day one had really short legs (and I’m short). Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Haven’t I been here before?

    Whites Creek Trail Loop Completed. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Trees, trees, and more trees

    Trees, trees, and more trees — And hidden in this picture is an old forest road. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Lunch time snooze in the sun

    Lunch time snooze in the sun — albeit a very watery sun. Can you see my glasses? No? Neither could I. It took me a lot of searching to find them. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • The geology is a bit different on the south loop

    The geology seems a bit different on the south loop. Note the rocks in this picture. Also note the blue blaze. You are not supposed to have blazes in a wilderness, but to save money rescuing lost people, there appear to be some exceptions. But the quality and positioning of the blazes is so poor and erratic, it is just annoying. Well, it annoys me! Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness

    Pool on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Cat briar’s revenge

    Cat briar’s revenge — I got myself into a huge patch of them on the third day, and this is the result. It is also why I am resisting being put on aggressive anticoagulants. Copyright © 2023 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
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