Looking out across ‘Spring Hollow.’
Outdoor Activities
Time spent in the great outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, paddling, and shooting. Anything well away from the madding crowd.
Camped above ‘Spring Hollow.’
February 28, 2025 10:05
‘Spring Hollow’ — I decided to camp above the big rock formation on the right. 2
February 27, 2025 16:00
‘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.
February 27, 2025 15:58
Spring in ‘Spring Hollow’ — This spring is proving to be very reliable and was running well.
February 27, 2025 15:52
North Loop — At the start of the Shortcut to the North Loop. Paddy Creek Wilderness, February 2025.
February 27, 2025 14:04
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
February 27, 2025 12:27
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
January 11, 2025 16:00
And finally… The roads had been plowed and were clear.
January 11, 2025 14:17
Day Three stats and end of hike thoughts.
January 11, 2025 14:00
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.
January 11, 2025 13:51
Getting close to the trailhead — heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail.
January 11, 2025 13:24
Another Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail junction cairn selfie — Well, it had to be done with some snow in the background.
January 11, 2025 13:04
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.
January 11, 2025 12:52
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.
January 11, 2025 12:35
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.
January 11, 2025 12:30
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.
January 11, 2025 11:56
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!
January 11, 2025 10:10
Camped in the snow above ‘Twin Falls Hollow.’
January 11, 2025 9:42
A snowy view from my hammock.
January 11, 2025 8:48
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.
January 11, 2025 8:32
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.
January 11, 2025 8:31
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
January 11, 2025 8:07
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.