Missouri

Words and pictures featuring Missouri

Camped near Whites Creek, Irish Wilderness, waiting for the creek to drop down. And drop it did!

Morning view from my hammock as the sun breaks through. Not bad last night, it dipped to just below freezing. I was nice and warm.

I’ll wait this one out, Whites Creek Crossing. Irish Wilderness, on the trail to Bliss Spring — I estimated the water to be four-five feet deep, but actually it was only around three feet.

Trail Snack — Raisins, almonds and M&Ms.

Dry Prong, not so dry — The Whites Creek Trail North loop is well-traveled, easy on your feet, and easy to follow, with modest elevation changes. The trail might have been easy, but there were many downed limbs and lots of debris on the trail. Clearing the trail as I went slowed me down significantly.

At the start (or is it the end?) of the Whites Creek Trail Loop — I was last here in May 2021. +1

First Creek Crossing — Whites Creek Trail, Irish Wilderness. on the spur trail that goes to the Whites Creek Trail loop. I made my first creek crossing before getting to the trail proper. Two-minute read, +2

Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Trail Revisited — A break in the weather and work provided an opportunity for me to re-visit Irish Wilderness and the Whites Creek Loop, which I first hiked in May 2021. I wanted to visit the wilderness in winter to see the lie of the land and maybe even get a good view from the 20-mile trail’s only scenic overlook.

Journal: Two nights and three days taking it easy at Hercules Glades Wilderness, February 2023. Journal: 15 35

End of trip, back at the Tower Trailhead. Trip total a modest 16 miles with 1,100 ft of elevation. +2

Gary on the Pole Hollow Trail. Hercules Glades Wilderness – I love this glade on the ridge overlooking Pole Hollow. It’s nice to get out into the open after being surrounded by trees and brush for so long.

Looking down stream. Long Creek, Hercules Glades Wilderness. I decided that this was a good place to stop for lunch, which was noodles, pre-cooked bacon, and a Snickers bar for dessert, all washed down with a cup of coffee. +1

Looking down stream. Long Creek, Hercules Glades Wilderness. I decided that this was a good place to stop for lunch.

Small falls on Long Creek, Hercules Glades Wilderness. We Camped very near here May 2011. Shoot, that’s 12 years ago!

Rock shelf over Long Creek, Hercules Glades Wilderness.

Spot the trail … (Stereo image). +1

Hiking to the Trailhead via Long Creek. Hercules Glades Wilderness, March 2023. I was a little over a mile into my five-and-a-half-mile hike back to the trailhead when I decided to make a rough video of the remainder of my hike for my family in the UK. I’ve never done this before, and may not bother again, but here’s the final three-and-a-half hours of my hike, compressed into 14 minutes.Video: 14 minutes

View from the Cedar Trail, Hercules Glades Wilderness (Stereo image). +1

Filtering water ready for the day’s hike. My revised plan is to take the Cedars Trail down to Long Creek, then the Long Creek Trail and Pole Hollow Trail back to the Pilot Trail and the trailhead. That way I can bag a few more miles from what has been a low-mileage trip so far.

Gary and hammock, ‘Twin Falls Hollow,’ February 2023. Hercules Glades Wilderness.

Morning view from my hammock.

Morning hot chocolate – I folded back my tarp so I could enjoy the view and the morning sun.

Day Three — Morning sunshine, camped at ‘Twin Falls Hollow’

Dinner time, camped at ‘Twin Falls Hollow.’ A change of plans was needed… +2

Scroll to Top