Lunch by Piney Creek and a chance to try out my new chair in the wild – I’ve already spent several hours sitting in my new chair, so I knew it was comfortable. What I didn’t know was how stable it would be out in the woods. 2
Missouri
Words and pictures featuring Missouri
Another trailhead, another wilderness – This weekend it’s back to Piney Creek Wilderness. I plan to visit my favorite spot by Table Rock Lake. It’s predicted to be fairly cold overnight (34-36°F).
May 9, 2020 13:09
Journal: One night at Piney Creek Wilderness, May 2020 – This weekend it’s back to Piney Creek Wilderness. I plan to visit my favorite spot by Table Rock Lake. It’s predicted to be fairly cold overnight (34-36°F). Journal: 8 27
May 9, 2020 10:28
Small falls on ‘Cab Creek’ – After 3-4 hours of rain last night ‘Cab Creek’ was running well. 3
April 25, 2020 16:30
Heading east on the Pilot Trail at Hercules Glades Wilderness – In modern parlance that would be the Tower Trail.
April 25, 2020 14:58
Indian paintbrush – Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire. 2 pictures
April 25, 2020 14:46
Pilot (Tower) Trail.
April 25, 2020 12:57
Preparing Breakfast – Day Two. 2
April 25, 2020 10:26
Gary, happy on the trail – Note the amount of water on the trail in the background. It was yet another wet feet hike. 2 pictures
April 24, 2020 17:14
More wet trails – In places it was ankle deep.
April 24, 2020 17:14
Wilderness Escape (again) – Two nights in Hercules Glades. A severe thunderstorm, wet and muddy trails, wonderful falls, a ghost from the past, some stupid mistakes and overall, a good time. Journal: 12 30
April 24, 2020 12:00
Rocks on the cairn – I’m not sure when I’m next going to get a chance to get out here, so I added a couple of rocks to the cairn. A pretty lichen-covered one for Ginger and a cheese wedge shape one for me.
March 29, 2020 16:20
Two days ‘Self-Isolation’ in Hercules Glades Wilderness – We have been on COVID-19 lockdown since mid-march. The small ray of sunshine for us in Springfield is that we are allowed out to exercise, and liquor is considered an essential item. Backpacking is definitely exercising, so I decided to take a short break and enjoy some time out in the wild. Journal: 1025
March 28, 2020 18:05
Journal: Two nights and a superb sunrise on the Bell Mountain Trail, February 2020 – Many years ago I read about hammock camping on Bell Mountain and the beautiful dawn vistas to be had looking out over Shut-in Creek. Ever since I read that article I’ve wanted to camp there and watch the dawn. Journal: 12 38
March 1, 2020 14:00
Ozarks Horizon. Bell Mountain – Day Two.
February 29, 2020 9:12
Cooking a late lunch. Bell Mountain – Day One. Because of the rain, I decided not to make lunch on the trail and had a combined lunch and dinner after I’d set up camp.
February 28, 2020 17:51
The view from my hammock – There are dozens of fire rings here, but I had the mountain top to myself.
February 28, 2020 16:47
Tarp up in case it rains (again). Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 16:31
Bell Mountain. View to the east. Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 16:31
Bell Mountain. View to the northeast – Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 15:45
Mr. Grumpy Goes Hiking – there was a picture of me smiling, but for some reason it was out of focus. Here I am at the top of Bell Mountain (it’s a big hill really) with the view to the east across Shut-in Creek, 500ft below me. Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 15:44
Sun on hail – when the sun came out it lit up the hail and the water droplets in the trees. Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 14:06
Hail storm on the trail – I was expecting rain, but not hail. That’s the second time my rain gear has been tested recently. Bell Mountain – Day One.
February 28, 2020 14:05
Starting out on the Bell Mountain Trail – This wasn’t my first hike of the Bell Mountain Trail. We backpacked here during Spring Break 2012, again staying two nights. Then we’d gone around the loop counter-clockwise. This time I’d be going the opposite way around. 3 pictures