Farm Road 2185 – It seemed a very long 2.6-mile hike from the Siloam Spring Trail trailhead to the start of the Woods Trail, one of my last unhiked trails in Piney Creek Wilderness. +1
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
March 20, 2021 16:10
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
March 20, 2021 15:54
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
March 20, 2021 15:33
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
March 20, 2021 14:39
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
March 20, 2021 13:06
I have my COVID-19 jab booked – Who knew? My age, health, and profession mean I am in the current tranche of vaccination recipients.
March 20, 2021 8:46
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
March 20, 2021 8:31
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
March 20, 2021 8:00
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
February 28, 2021 15:29
Gary on the hike back – All I really need to say about the hike out is that it rained. A lot. +2
February 28, 2021 15:03
All that remains – is a dry patch.
February 28, 2021 13:42
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
February 28, 2021 11:00
‘Spring Hollow’ – I spent some time exploring the hollow.
February 28, 2021 10:51
Looking down ‘Spring Hollow.’
February 28, 2021 10:51
Heating Water for breakfast. +2
February 28, 2021 9:38
Spot my camp – I hadn’t realized that I had camped in sight of the forest road. +1
February 28, 2021 9:14
Old forest road – notice how wet and green it is. No wonder I found several springs near here.
February 28, 2021 9:12
Rainy day – and it had been a rainy night, the night before.
February 28, 2021 9:10
A break in the clouds.
February 28, 2021 9:09
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
February 28, 2021 9:07
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
February 28, 2021 9:05
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.
February 27, 2021 20:24
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