Hike over, obligatory end of hike selfie — Trip total, a very modest 10.5 miles and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain.
Backpacking 03-17-2023
Icicles on the Mary Hollow Trail — not huge, but I’ll take it as a sign of how cold it has been.
March 19, 2023 14:09
McGarr Spring — looking a lot nicer in the sunshine. I filled up my water bottle before starting my hike out.
March 19, 2023 13:44
I’m in no rush … I don’t need to be home until this evening, and it’ll only take around two hours to hike back to the trailhead. I might as well relax for a while.
March 19, 2023 11:41
Impressive food bag hang — even if I say so myself. at least 20 ft.
March 19, 2023 8:45
Camped overlooking McGarr Spring — It’s embarrassing to admit how long it took me to find the two trees I used when I camped here back in December. So I’ll just say It was far too long.
March 19, 2023 8:44
Frosty Morning — My coldest night out on the trail. Last night at 15°F, and ironically, I was too hot! There was even ice inside my hammock. +2
March 19, 2023 8:42
Scenic view of the North Fork River — Once my (leisurely) lunch was over there was nothing else but to tackle the three-hundred-foot climb to the McGarr Ridge Trail. This scenic overlook gave me an excellent excuse to catch my breath.
March 18, 2023 15:11
Blue Spring — This is popular area, I met seven people — two families — out for an afternoon walk while I was heating and eating my lunch here. I was last here with Ginger on a wedding anniversary backpacking trip, February 20, 2011.
March 18, 2023 13:36
North Fork River from the Blue Spring Trail — 1:30 p.m., time to make lunch and replenish my water.
March 18, 2023 13:35
Blue Spring Trailhead — You have to walk through the North Fork Recreation Area Campground to get to the trail that leads to Blue Spring and on into the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness and the McGarr Ridge Trail.
March 18, 2023 13:29
The Ridge Runner Trail Trailhead needs a bit of TLC. +1
March 18, 2023 13:19
One hour later … Crossing County Road CC — Once on the trail it was straightforward to follow, and where it crosses CC is easy to spot once you know where to look! +3
March 18, 2023 13:11
Ooh look, there are newish blazes on this trail too. Note the buff to keep my ears warm.
March 18, 2023 12:14
Found it! The lost trail junction — 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.
March 18, 2023 12:09
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.
March 18, 2023 11:26
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.
March 18, 2023 9:00
Morning in the woods — The temps dropped quickly last night. It was below freezing by 9 p.m. and dropped to 28F.
March 18, 2023 8:59
Trail Not Maintained — that’s fine, the trail is in better condition than the maintained trail (I hike this trail back in December). Not far to go to my planned stopping point and it is still light.
March 17, 2023 18:09
Another evening, another trailhead — 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.
March 17, 2023 17:46
Plans for the weekend — Ridge Runner/Devil’s Backbone. 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.