Journal: Berryman Trail Revisited, March 2024. I had some health issues on my last hike of the Berryman Trail, and the same problem canceled my next planned trip there. Finally, it’s time to ‘get it done.’ Journal: 25 21
Berryman Trail
View from my Day Three camp — The trail runs along the bottom of the hollow, and there was water in the creek too. Very annoying after carrying a full load here from Beecher Spring.
March 23, 2025 14:15
Ready to move on — The sun is shining at last after nearly twelve hours of rain, huge thunderstorms, and lots of wind. I was snug and dry. It’s a late start because I fell asleep reading my book while waiting for the rain to stop.
March 23, 2025 14:11
Hunkering down for the night. — Rain, thunderstorms, and wind are heading this way. So, I picked this spot on the northwest side of a ridge, which should provide shelter from the weather.
March 22, 2025 18:48
Beecher Spring — It looks like an effort has been made to tidy the area up. Originally, I was going to camp near here. Instead, I’m going to carry on and find a nice spot in the lee of a ridge for the night and the forecast rain and wind.
March 22, 2025 16:02
The forest has been ‘thinned’ in places
March 22, 2025 13:36
Rejoining the Berryman Trail from Little Brazil Creek.
March 22, 2025 12:55
Ready for Day Three’s hike — Today’s hike should be a lot shorter than yesterday’s ten-plus miles. All the running I do and I’m still looking flabby.
March 22, 2025 12:35
Camped above Little Brazil Creek — Even two to three hundred yards from the creek, it is still scrubby. It took me far too long to find somewhere to hang my hammock yesterday.
March 22, 2025 12:06
Little Brazil Creek is very ‘scrubby’ — Looking north. I’m filling up with water for tonight and tomorrow. I’ve yet to find a good camping spot near this creek. I hiked over ten miles today to get here.
March 21, 2025 18:09
Ooh! There was blood! A little bit of trailside First Aid was required. The cut was so small that it was hard to find where the blood was leaking from. 2
March 21, 2025 12:19
Floyd Tower Road looking northwest — After crossing the road, I stopped for a drink and bacon trail snack.
March 21, 2025 12:09
Berryman Trail — twenty-six miles to go. My plan is to spend a leisurely four days hiking those twenty-six miles.
March 20, 2025 13:08
Journal: Four days hiking the Berryman Trail, Missouri, December 2024. This will be my last backpacking trip of the year. Journal: 15 42
December 30, 2024 16:05
Berryman Trail — Day Four stats and a summary of the trip. Three-minute read.
December 30, 2024 16:00
Hike over back at the Berryman Campground Trailhead.
December 30, 2024 14:38
The Berryman Trail, December 2024.
December 30, 2024 12:03
Gary ready to start out on the last leg of the trip. Another three hours or so and I should be in my nice warm car heading home!
December 30, 2024 11:59
Bad Decisions Make Good Stories. It’s coming up on midday, and I’m packed, ready for the last six miles back to the trailhead. It turns out my ‘Bad Decision’ to carry on with my hike on Day Two was a good decision after all.
December 30, 2024 11:54
Breakfast treat, a Pop-Tart.
December 30, 2024 8:14
View from my hammock. The Berryman Trail, December 2024.
December 30, 2024 8:05
Day Four — Making breakfast. It was quite cold last night — 36 Degrees — and it’s pretty damp, too, so it feels colder than it is. A Pop-Tart, ginger and orange tea, with biscuits and gravy will soon warm things up.
December 30, 2024 8:00
A summary of the day’s hiking stats.
December 29, 2024 16:45
Camped at sunset. The colors were glorious.