Day Two. It got a little frosty — The temperature last night was a lot lower than forecast, not that I was surprised — it’s not my first rodeo. At least this time I came prepared with my 10° under quilt. +1
cellphone
Oops! What was that about bad decisions making good stories? I took a risky route to the campsite, misjudged my footing, nearly fell in the creek and broke a hiking pole. I may not be getting too old for backpacking, but I may be getting a bit old to try falling head-first into a deep pool in a 45°F creek while wearing a backpack.
March 27, 2024 16:41
Reflections in the pool below the shut-ins.
March 27, 2024 16:18
Looking downstream.
March 27, 2024 16:17
Pool below the shut-ins.
March 27, 2024 16:15
Shut-ins on an unnamed creek — Paddy Creek Wilderness. This is the upstream side of the shut-ins I discovered on my last visit to the wilderness — for some idea of the scale, it’s around 75ft wide here. The boulders are big!
March 27, 2024 16:08
Stopped for lunch by Little Paddy Creek.
March 27, 2024 15:05
Little Paddy Creek — I stopped for lunch and to top up my water.
March 27, 2024 15:03
Abandoned Homestead Ruins, Paddy Creek Wilderness — Taking advantage of some cell phone reception I sent Ginger this picture taken by the old chimney breast at the junction of the South Loop and the shortcut to the North Loop.
March 27, 2024 13:36
Well and stock pond — This is good, I was last here in December and the well was dry. And when I got to the short cut junction (it links to the North Loop) the well there was full too. +1
March 27, 2024 13:14
Checked in and ready to go — I got away without any major delays, and here I am at eleven-thirty all ready to hit the trail.
March 27, 2024 11:25
I might regret saying this… Hopefully this is not too prophetic. Today I’m leaving for three days hiking on the Big Piney Trail at Paddy Creek Wilderness. I’ve not been out this month, which means I have 20 miles and 2 nights backpacking to fit in. One-minute read, +2
March 27, 2024 8:08
The perils (and perks) of a home office. Dick is ‘helping’ me edit videos.
March 1, 2024 11:16
Heading Home — I remembered to take an end of hike selfie just before I left the trailhead parking lot. Two-minute read.
February 28, 2024 16:25
All packed up and ready to leave — I toyed with the idea of leaving first thing in the morning, but a bitingly cold wind put me off that idea. It was very windy in the night, the trees flexing had the hammock bouncing around a bit. The temperature dropped to 24 degrees, I wasn’t toasty, but I was warm enough. Two-minute read, +1
February 28, 2024 14:03
Doe! A deer… Despite being 1-200 yards upwind from me they heard me creeping down to a spot where I could grab a picture through the trees. It was nearly dark, and I had to use the max zoom on my phone, hence the very poor image.
February 27, 2024 18:06
The lake is low… It’s almost the lowest I’ve seen it.
February 27, 2024 13:02
Piney Creek Wilderness at Table Rock Lake — Yup, another picture of one of my favorite spots.
February 27, 2024 10:40
A quick pan of the south shore from Piney Creek towards Table Rock Lake. Table Rock Lake is low. Almost the lowest I’ve seen it so far. On the good side, the change in lake level has caused all the silt to be washed out of the creek mouth. Video: 24-seconds.
February 27, 2024 10:39
Hammock Camping in Piney Creek Wilderness, February 2024.
February 27, 2024 10:33
‘Red Flag’ Warning — so I shall not be using my wood stove. High winds, dry conditions, and unseasonable temperatures have resulted in a ‘No fires’ advisory today. And given how windy and dry it is, that makes sense.
February 27, 2024 10:30
Back at my home from home — Taking a selfie when I get to the lake has become another Piney Creek Tradition.
February 25, 2024 15:07
Stopped for Lunch by Piney Creek — I thought this was the spot we stopped for lunch on 11-11-2011, but it was probably the next creek crossing. +1
February 25, 2024 14:08
Fire ring at the bottom of the Tower Trail — Piney Creek Wilderness. I’m on the trail again, and this is the plan… +2