Backpacking trip journals

More detailed write-ups of our backpacking trips. You can choose between the complete journal entries or only the pictures.

Four days, three nights in Hercules Glades Wilderness, November 2021. Trip write-up: 10-minute read, +34

Three days backpacking in Hercules Glades Wilderness, October 2021. Online meetings and bushwhacking in search of Mores Branch. Trip write-up: Five-minute read, +17

One-night stay in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness. And once more I manage to break some gear … Trip write-up: One-minute read, +3

Journal: four days by the lake, Piney Creek Wilderness, July 2021 — It’s been a while, and now it’s time for my summer trip for R&R by Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness. Fortunately, the lake is not flooding (excessively), and the hike in was not quite as fraught — no wading required. Five-minute read, +45

Journal: Gary & Ginger, a couple of nights at Hercules Glades, June 2021. Trip write-up: Five-minute read, +17

Three days on the North Fork Loop trail, Mark Twain National Forest, May 2021. Trip write-up: 15-minute read, +42

Three days on the Whites Creek Trail at Irish Wilderness. Trip write-up: 15-minute read, +64

Journal: Checking off all my unhiked trails in Piney Creek Wilderness, March 2021. A three-day backpacking trip to Piney Creek Wilderness. I hiked the last of my un-hiked official trails in this wilderness, I encountered more cat briars than a man ought to and enjoyed some downtime by the lake. Trip write-up: 15-minute read, +48

Journal: Searching for springs at Hercules Glades Wilderness, February 2021. Trip write-up: Five-minute read, +30

Journal: Last Backpacking trip of the year, December 2020 – I’m planning on staying out three nights, finding my way to Beaver Creek to the north of the bluffs, and hiking the only trail here that I haven’t hiked yet. Hercules Glades. Trip write-up: 10-minute read, +42

Journal: Four days on the Berryman Trail, December 2020 – Looking for a different trail to hike, I decided to re-hike the Berryman Trail, which we hiked during Spring Break 2011. Trip write-up: 15-minute read, +44

There’s a break in the weather, and I can spend two-and-a-half days backpacking at Paddy Creek Wilderness. The forecast is for two good (but maybe cold) days before rain sets in.Trip write-up: 10-minute read, +44

Journal: Fall backpacking at Hercules Glades Wilderness, October 2020.Trip write-up: 15-minute read, +37

Once more unto the trails dear friends1 (three days in Piney Creek Wilderness) – Rain, thunder, a flooding lake, wading, and bushwhacking make for a different start to a weekend’s R&R. Piney Creek Wilderness. Trip write-up: 10-minute read, +44

Journal: Two nights at Hercules Glades Wilderness, May 2020 – A two-night break at Hercules Glades Wilderness with a visit to ‘Twin Falls’ hollow and the bluffs. Trip write-up: Six-minute read, +21

Journal: One night at Piney Creek Wilderness, May 2020 – This weekend it’s back to Piney Creek Wilderness. I plan to visit my favorite spot by Table Rock Lake. It’s predicted to be fairly cold overnight (34-36°F). Trip write-up: eight-minute read, +26

Wilderness Escape (again) – Two nights in Hercules Glades. A severe thunderstorm, wet and muddy trails, wonderful falls, a ghost from the past, some stupid mistakes and overall, a good time. Trip write-up: 12-minute read. +30

Two days ‘Self-Isolation’ in Hercules Glades Wilderness – We have been on COVID-19 lockdown since mid-march. The small ray of sunshine for us in Springfield is that we are allowed out to exercise, and liquor is considered an essential item. Backpacking is definitely exercising, so I decided to take a short break and enjoy some time out in the wild. Trip write-up: 10-minute read. +24

Journal: Two nights and a superb sunrise on the Bell Mountain Trail, February 2020 – Many years ago I read about hammock camping on Bell Mountain and the beautiful dawn vistas to be had looking out over Shut-in Creek. Ever since I read that article I’ve wanted to camp there and watch the dawn. Trip write-up: 12-minute read. 38 pictures.

February 2020, Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness – It was time for me to get out and clock up a few more miles. We first planned to visit Paddy Creek Wilderness in late December 2011, but with high winds in the forecast, we decided to go to Piney Creek instead. Somehow Paddy Creek Wilderness never featured in our plans after then. Now was a good time to put that right. Trip write-up: 24-minute read, +68

January 2020, Three Days At Devil’s Backbone Wilderness – I visited old haunts and hiked the last of my un-trod trails in this wilderness. Trip write-up: 17-minute read. 48 pictures

Piney Creek Wilderness – January 2020 – A three day, two night, relaxing stay by the lakeside in Piney Creek Wilderness. Trip write-up: 11-minute read. 54 pictures.

This can only mean one thing … After a seven-month break, I’m finally back on the trail with my last hike of 2019. Trip write-up: 11-minute read, 31 pictures

Despite my best intentions, I’ve been too busy to get out on the trails since my last trip in March. This weekend I decided to fix that with three days hiking at Hercules Glades. My plan was to catch a sunset from the bluffs and do some exploring down Long Creek. Things didn’t quite end up how I’d planned though. Trip write-up: 10-minute read. 1 short video & 23 pictures.

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