First Light, Irish Wilderness — The pre-dawn light got me out of bed to enjoy the sunrise. Video: One-minute.
Irish Wilderness
Day Three — First Light, Irish Wilderness — The pre-dawn light got me out of bed to enjoy the sunrise.
February 1, 2024 6:51
Irish Wilderness Day Two — Fiddler Spring to the end of a ridge overlooking the Eleven Point River.
January 31, 2024 17:00
Eleven Point River view from my campsite — looking south — I camped about half a mile from here back in March 2023. I thought this location might offer better views. It did.
January 31, 2024 16:37
Eleven Point River view from my campsite — looking north — I camped about half a mile from here back in March 2023. I thought this location might offer better views. It did.
January 31, 2024 16:33
Appearances can be deceptive — A quarter of a mile upstream the creek was dry. I had to backtrack a little way to get water for lunch and to stock up with water for the afternoon and night. There wasn’t going to be any water where I planned to stop.
January 31, 2024 13:55
At the Float Camp Junction of the Whites Creek Trail — I was last here in March 2023.
January 31, 2024 13:47
An hour later, Whites Creek Cave — The unofficial trail came out exactly where I expected. I’d hiked the top part of it on my last visit, and obviously missed where it turned to go down to Fiddler Spring. The main Whites Creek Trail was easy to follow, until it wasn’t.
January 31, 2024 13:29
Sunshine at last — Drying out my gear was my excuse for not rushing to get on the trail. The frost on my tarp needed a chance to melt and dry. I lollygagged around and didn’t start packing up camp until eleven-forty. Taking it easy, I didn’t leave camp until twelve-thirty.
January 31, 2024 11:21
Camped at Fiddler Spring, Irish Wilderness. +1
January 31, 2024 8:46
Trying out a gas stove for a change — Conclusion: I prefer my Fancee Feest Cat Can stove.
January 31, 2024 8:21
Day Two, the view from my hammock — When I decided to stop at Fiddler Spring, I forgot to check its orientation to the rising sun. It was a long chilly wait until the sun climbed high enough to reach the campsite. It was also “Surprise! Suprise!” a lot colder than forecast. At seven-thirty it was twenty-four degrees. Two-minute read, +1
January 31, 2024 8:20
Irish Wilderness Day One — Camp Five Pond Trailhead to Fiddler Spring — It was a loverly warm afternoon. At two pm I had to stop and get rid of some layers, have a bite to eat, and a drink. The South Loop was easy to follow, until, that is, I dropped down to Whites Creek, where it had been washed out in several places. But that’s par for the course. Two-minute read
January 30, 2024 16:30
Evidence of Busy Beavers on Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness, Missouri. They’ve been very busy, and at the moment, it looks more like wanton destruction than a lodge building exercise. Video: 34 seconds
January 30, 2024 15:41
New notice boards and a registration point at Camp Five Pond. And a warning about not taking maps or a GPS. +1
January 30, 2024 13:21
Ready to get on the trail — I’m planning on spending four days hiking the Whites Creek Trail. This time I’m starting with the South Loop (I don’t know why they call it a loop it is not. But hey!).
January 30, 2024 13:10
At the Camp Five Pond Trailhead — It’s good to be back. It might be a challenging trip, it’s very early in the season so the trail is going to be difficult to follow. I’m hiking the trail backwards — clockwise, leaving the eight-mile, possibly water-less, section for the last two days.
January 30, 2024 13:02
Journal: Four days hiking the Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness, March 2023. I plan on spending four days hiking the 20-mile loop of the Whites Creek Trail in Irish Wilderness. I’m hoping there will be a bit of a view from the trail’s only scenic overlook. A recent storm that passed through the area may make the trail a tad tricky. We’ll see. Journal: 10 53
March 11, 2023 18:00
End of hike selfie — Three nights, four days. Twenty-one miles and 1600 ft. Nothing too strenuous, but I’m nearer to 70 than 60, not to mention having to keep an eye on my heart (well those are the excuses I’m fielding at the moment).
March 6, 2023 16:17
Camp 5 Pond in the winter sunshine — once again our car is the only one at the trailhead.
March 6, 2023 16:09
First Creek Crossing, reprise — looking at the leaves, there was no way this was knee deep at any time. Unless the guys I met on day one had really short legs (and I’m short).
March 6, 2023 15:58
Haven’t I been here before? Whites Creek Trail Loop Completed.
March 6, 2023 15:57
Trees, trees, and more trees — And hidden in this picture is an old forest road.
March 6, 2023 15:43
Lunch time snooze in the sun — albeit a very watery sun. Can you see my glasses? No? Neither could I. It took me a lot of searching to find them.