Missouri

Words and pictures featuring Missouri

I’ve been here before – This is where the trail down to Siloam Spring joins the farm road. I didn’t have anyone to take my picture this time, and the lack of leaves to block the sun is making me squinty. Well, that’s my excuse. +1

At the Siloam Spring Trail trailhead – That’s the Siloam Spring Trail checked-off on my list. We’ve been here before. You’ve guessed it, June 2012. One-minute read

Climbing up the ridge – Despite knowing the climb was going to be hard for this out-of-condition aging Brit, I was still surprised at how hard it was. I’m not going out hiking often enough to keep my condition up. One-minute read, +2

Lunch break on the Siloam Spring Trail and plans for my trip – Despite a late start, I decided to stop and have a hot lunch (noodles) along with some tuna. I arrived at the trailhead shortly after 1 p.m. so I was happy with my progress. One-minute read

Prepare to Descend – This is one of two very steep sections on the Tower Trail and one of the steepest sections in the wilderness. +1

I have my COVID-19 jab booked – Who knew? My age, health, and profession mean I am in the current tranche of vaccination recipients.

Packed ready for a four-day trip – Except there has been a change of plan, now it’s only going to be three days. +2

Journal: Checking off all my unhiked trails in Piney Creek Wilderness, March 2021. A three-day backpacking trip to Piney Creek Wilderness. I hiked the last of my un-hiked official trails in this wilderness, I encountered more cat briars than a man ought to and enjoyed some downtime by the lake. Journal: 15 48

Gear Test – Sealskinz waterproof socks. Wet shoes, dry feet – Waterproof sock, and they worked. Now I have a footwear solution for snowy trails. It’s just a shame I didn’t get these before it snowed. One-minute read, +1

Gary on the hike back – All I really need to say about the hike out is that it rained. A lot. +2

All that remains – is a dry patch.

Three Springs – These three springs are all within thirty feet of each other. It’s fascinating to me to be able to watch water appear out of the ground. This is what I’m looking for, secure water sources in this part of the wilderness. +2

‘Spring Hollow’ – I spent some time exploring the hollow.

Looking down ‘Spring Hollow.’

Heating Water for breakfast. +2

Spot my camp – I hadn’t realized that I had camped in sight of the forest road. +1

Old forest road – notice how wet and green it is. No wonder I found several springs near here.

Rainy day – and it had been a rainy night, the night before.

A break in the clouds.

Sunshine on a rainy morning – This is another deliberate stereo pair. The break in the rain was brief but long enough for me to get some pictures and do some exploring. +1

Camped above ‘Spring Hollow’ – The discovery of several springs near here decided me on my name for this hollow. It needs a name, as I’ll be back. +1

An evening visitor and more clumsiness – I was sitting in my hammock thinking about preparing dinner when I felt some water splash on my foot. It was raining hard, but I was nice and dry, and I thought it a bit odd. I bent down to investigate and spotted this little peeper, who’d hopped in to join me sheltering from the rain.

Photograph of Gary Allman in front of the Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail cairn, Hercules Glades Wilderness, Missouri. February 2021.

Pole Hollow Cairn (it’s behind me) – The weather seems to be doing a better job of keeping me off the trails in 2021 than COVID-19 did in 2020. Two-minute read

Journal: Searching for springs at Hercules Glades Wilderness, February 2021. Journal: 5 30

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