Outdoor Activities

Time spent in the great outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, paddling, and shooting. Anything well away from the madding crowd.

Looking out across ‘Spring Hollow.’

Camped above ‘Spring Hollow.’

‘Spring Hollow’ — I decided to camp above the big rock formation on the right. 2

‘Spring Hollow’ a great secluded spot — Getting here across all the large boulders and down the steep hollow sides can be a bit sketchy, but worth the effort.

Spring in ‘Spring Hollow’ — This spring is proving to be very reliable and was running well.

North Loop — At the start of the Shortcut to the North Loop. Paddy Creek Wilderness, February 2025.

Signs of confusion — It appears that the most popular route, along the North Loop to the falls (straight ahead) is no longer signposted. Plus, my plans and lots more confusion in general. Five-minute read, +4

Journal: Hercules Glades in the snow, January 2025. A forecast winter storm in Southwest Missouri on January 9 and 10 was just what was needed to let me get some time out when the trail conditions would be a bit more challenging. Journal: 15   45

And finally… The roads had been plowed and were clear.

Day Three stats and end of hike thoughts.

Back at the Tower Trailhead. No tracks — so no one else has been here. Now I’ve got to get all that snow off the car.

Getting close to the trailhead — heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail.

Another Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail junction cairn selfie — Well, it had to be done with some snow in the background.

Heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail in the snow — Watch out for those low hanging boughs, they’ll dump their snowy burden on you if you touch them.

Is it a stupid idea if it works? — I don’t have footwear suitable for bad weather, so four years ago I bought some waterproof socks.

View across Hercules Glades Wilderness, looking south from the Pilot (Tower) Trail — This is one of the few places on the trail with a view to the south. I climbed up a little bit above the trail to get a clearer view of the horizon.

Junction of the Cedar (Middle) Trail and the Pilot (Tower) Trail, looking west — I was half expecting to find some tracks at this point. But no, it seems I’m the only one mad enough to be out at the moment.

Camped in the snow above ‘Twin Falls Hollow.’ I set my tarp in ‘Porch mode’ as there was no more snowfall forecast. Oops. I forgot about all the loose snow falling off of the branches above!

Camped in the snow above ‘Twin Falls Hollow.’

A snowy view from my hammock.

Camped in the snow above ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ — I did ponder the potential downsides (or should that be downslides?) of camping on the side of a steep ravine. And I ignored them. I survived.

Camped in the snow above ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ — I did ponder the potential dowsides (or should that be downslides?) of camping on the side of a steep ravine. And I ignored them. I survived.

First Breakfast (in the hammock). Yes, I am taking a page from the Hobbits’ playbook and having a first and second breakfast! One-minute read, +2

Day Two stats. I arrived at my campsite at three-fifty, with just ninety minutes of daylight left to set up camp and finish all my camp chores.

Scroll to Top