Backpacking

Everything backpacking: our gear, trip write-ups, and individual pictures.

My new hat, and the hike didn’t go quite as planned – lots of dense brush, an angry critter, and a lack of campsites changed my plans. Two-minute read, +1

I found a hog trap, and decided to find out where the trail Ginger took a while ago led. +1

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. Journal: 6 21

Small falls on ‘Twin Falls Creek.’ – According to the GPS these are only 260 yards from the trail. It seems a lot more when you are bushwhacking.

Lunch stop – Once again I made reasonable time on the trail (for me), arriving at my selected lunch spot shortly before two pm. 5 pictures

The brush is growing and views are limited – Ten years ago when we first hiked this trail the views were a lot better.

You’d think… that the trail went left here. Nope. It disappears into the bushes on the right.

Ready to go – I was planning on a nice leisurely lunch break down at ‘Twin Falls Creek’ near where I’d camped on Friday night, so I wanted to be on the trail before midday. 3 pictures

In the woods – It is a nothing picture. You need to be there, listening to the birds, hearing and feeling the breeze, smelling the woodsy smells, and enjoying the warm sunshine on your skin.

Camped at the top of the bluffs – The only problem with camping here is that there is no water. Unless you count Beaver Creek, 200ft (vertically) away. 2 pictures

Sunset from the bluffs

Back at the bluffs

Camped Near ‘Twin Falls Creek’ 2 pictures

Oh look, it’s me at a trailhead. There’s a surprise – Gary at the Pilot Trail trailhead at Hercules Glades. One-minute read

Hiking Out – A couple of selfies and some notes on my hike out. Three-minute read. 6 pictures

Enjoying the view from my hammock – Piney Creek, Day Two. 3 pictures

Hammock camping at Piney Creek, preparing breakfast – It was an interesting night. Not because anything happened, but because of the odd and vivid dreams I had. 2 3

Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness – this is my little spot of Ozarks’ heaven. Every time I visit it is slightly different. Piney Creek – Day One.

Gary taking in the view (and enjoying a beer) – Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness. I wasn’t going to let the weight stop me, I carried in a beer to enjoy down by the lake. Piney Creek – Day One.

Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness – this is my little spot of Ozarks’ heaven. Piney Creek – Day One.

Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness.

There’s my destination in sight. Straight ahead across the lake. The lake was pretty full, and before I went on, I back-tracked a ways up Piney Creek and found a nice clear feeder creek (dribble really), to fill up my water bottle and a half-gallon pouch to last me for the night.

Gary on the trail (when he can find it) – The Piney Creek Trail is well known for getting overgrown, especially where it crosses ‘Cat Briar Meadows.’ As soon as spring is sprung, nature goes wild and starts encroaching on the trail. Oh, and I got wet. One-minute read. 3 pictures

Lunch by Piney Creek and a chance to try out my new chair in the wild – I’ve already spent several hours sitting in my new chair, so I knew it was comfortable. What I didn’t know was how stable it would be out in the woods. 2

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