Another view of the North Fork River – I took this picture because it seemed to be pretty much where I took a picture the last time I hiked this trail. +1
Mark Twain National Forest
The trail here is not for the faint-hearted – Not only is the drop-off steep but so is the trail. It drops 300ft in three-tenths of a mile. I don’t think I’d like to hike this trail clockwise and have to climb up it.
December 2, 2022 14:38
Selfie on the bluffs overlooking the North Fork River – Being so high up, I checked for cell service, and immediately received some messages on WhatsApp from my daughter-in-law in the UK. So I took a quick selfie to show the folks where I was. I still forget to look at the darned lens when I’m taking a selfie with my phone.
December 2, 2022 14:12
The forecast lied … Not only did it rain overnight, but the temperature was a lot lower than the forecast at 30℉.
December 2, 2022 11:23
Camped near the Ridge Runner / Ozark Trail – I last camped near here in May 2021 on my first hike of the North Fork loop of the Ridge Runner Trail. Then the leaves were out, it was warm, and I deliberately missed a large section of the trail in order to explore Steam Mill Hollow. Two-minute read, +3
December 2, 2022 10:02
Back to the start and some notes – From here there is just a short thirty-minute hike, south, down the Ozark Trail to get back to the trailhead. That’s it, trip over, though there’s still the two-hour drive home to complete.
May 23, 2021 14:25
Ready for the trail – Don’t come to me for outdoor fashion guidance. I hike to my own tune, and I like mixing my metaphors!
May 23, 2021 13:41
The view from my chair – Stereo image.
May 23, 2021 13:35
And very tall trees too.
May 23, 2021 13:33
Trees, trees, and more trees.
May 23, 2021 13:31
Lunch break, and I’m showing a bit too much thigh – I had a choice of routes to take today. The short route takes the North Fork Loop east back to the Ozark Trail, where I could get back to the trailhead. The longer route goes south, and into the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness, and returns to Highway CC via the McGarr Ridge Trail. One-minute read
May 23, 2021 12:57
Day Three – Back on the North Fork Loop Trail
May 23, 2021 11:54
Nothing but trees – Camped in Mark Twain National Forest, it was a wonderful morning in a rejuvenating spot.
May 23, 2021 10:16
Dappled.
May 23, 2021 10:15
Hammock Camping. +2
May 23, 2021 10:13
Stereo Image – Just Trees – It’s difficult to see the trees for the woods in a normal forest photograph, you need your full 3D vision to be able to separate things.
May 23, 2021 9:29
Eight O’Clock and I’m finally camped for the night
May 22, 2021 19:48
Glimpse – A glimpse of the sky, and the river can just be seen through the leaves. +2
May 22, 2021 17:50
Steam Mill Creek Crossing – This is where the main North Fork Loop Trail crosses the creek in Steam Mill Hollow. One-minute read
May 22, 2021 17:33
Overhang, not very spectacular, but the sides of the hollow were impressively steep. It looked a bit too low and damp to make a good camping spot for anyone with a tent.
May 22, 2021 17:09
Spring on Steam Mill Hollow – closer inspection of the map showed that I’d missed this spring when planning my trip. It wasn’t a raging torrent, but it was putting out several gallons a minute.
May 22, 2021 16:59
Lunch break by the creek in Steam Mill Hollow. Not that I knew it was the creek in Steam Mill Hollow at the time. It seems I need to learn several more lessons in checking my compass and map before I assume I know where I am. 2 2
May 22, 2021 16:04
Nice Trail (but you may have trouble following it) – The map I was using was slightly under twenty years old (and the best I could find online). I should have cross-checked it against the trail map at the trailhead. If I had, I would have seen that the objective for my day’s hike was no longer on the trail system. One-minute read
May 22, 2021 12:31
Trail junction, there goes the Ozark Trail – Here I leave the Ozark Trail. +1