Missouri

Words and pictures featuring Missouri

Looking out across ‘Spring Hollow.’

Camped above ‘Spring Hollow.’

‘Spring Hollow’ — I decided to camp above the big rock formation on the right. 2

‘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.

Spring in ‘Spring Hollow’ — This spring is proving to be very reliable and was running well.

North Loop — At the start of the Shortcut to the North Loop. Paddy Creek Wilderness, February 2025.

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

Redistribution — After over a year of working out, I haven’t lost any weight, but it has moved around. My body fat percentage has dropped, and my muscle mass has increased slightly.

Heading out to the gym — It was tempting to take a ‘rest day,’ but I didn’t. Crossing the gym parking lot in my gym kit can be chilly at times!

No smoke without fire — I was some miles away the smoke was thick at the farm, and ash was falling from the sky. This was from a prescribed burn, not a wildfire.

No work. Feed me!

Dick on Ginger’s office couch.

Dick — Our grandcat has been visiting since before Christmas. He’s going home soon.

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

And finally… The roads had been plowed and were clear.

Day Three stats and end of hike thoughts.

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.

Getting close to the trailhead — heading east on the Pilot (Tower) Trail.

Another Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail junction cairn selfie — Well, it had to be done with some snow in the background.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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