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.
Backpacking 03-03-2023
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.
March 4, 2023 9:16
I’ll wait this one out, Whites Creek Crossing. Irish Wilderness, on the trail to Bliss Spring — I estimated the water to be four-five feet deep, but actually it was only around three feet.
March 3, 2023 16:07
Trail Snack — Raisins, almonds and M&Ms.
March 3, 2023 14:59
Dry Prong, not so dry — The Whites Creek Trail North loop is well-traveled, easy on your feet, and easy to follow, with modest elevation changes. The trail might have been easy, but there were many downed limbs and lots of debris on the trail. Clearing the trail as I went slowed me down significantly.
March 3, 2023 14:49
At the start (or is it the end?) of the Whites Creek Trail Loop — I was last here in May 2021. +1
March 3, 2023 14:10
First Creek Crossing — Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness. on the spur trail that goes to the Whites Creek Trail loop. I made my first creek crossing before getting to the trail proper. Two-minute read, +2
March 3, 2023 14:06
Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Trail Revisited — A break in the weather and work provided an opportunity for me to re-visit Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Loop, which I first hiked in May 2021. I wanted to visit the wilderness in winter to see the lie of the land and maybe even get a good view from the 20-mile trail’s only scenic overlook.