Time spent in the great outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, paddling, and shooting. Anything well away from the madding crowd.
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
Another trailhead, another wilderness – 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).
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). Journal: 8 27
Small falls on ‘Cab Creek’ – After 3-4 hours of rain last night ‘Cab Creek’ was running well. 3
Heading east on the Pilot Trail at Hercules Glades Wilderness – In modern parlance that would be the Tower Trail.
Indian paintbrush – Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire. 2 pictures
Pilot (Tower) Trail.
Preparing Breakfast – Day Two. 2
Gary, happy on the trail – Note the amount of water on the trail in the background. It was yet another wet feet hike. 2 pictures
More wet trails – In places it was ankle deep.
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. Journal: 12 30
Rocks on the cairn – I’m not sure when I’m next going to get a chance to get out here, so I added a couple of rocks to the cairn. A pretty lichen-covered one for Ginger and a cheese wedge shape one for me.
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. Journal: 1025
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. Journal: 12 38
Ozarks Horizon. Bell Mountain – Day Two.
Cooking a late lunch. Bell Mountain – Day One. Because of the rain, I decided not to make lunch on the trail and had a combined lunch and dinner after I’d set up camp.
The view from my hammock – There are dozens of fire rings here, but I had the mountain top to myself.
Tarp up in case it rains (again). Bell Mountain – Day One.
Bell Mountain. View to the east. Bell Mountain – Day One.
Bell Mountain. View to the northeast – Bell Mountain – Day One.
Mr. Grumpy Goes Hiking – there was a picture of me smiling, but for some reason it was out of focus. Here I am at the top of Bell Mountain (it’s a big hill really) with the view to the east across Shut-in Creek, 500ft below me. Bell Mountain – Day One.
Sun on hail – when the sun came out it lit up the hail and the water droplets in the trees. Bell Mountain – Day One.