Two days solo backpacking in Hercules Glades Wilderness, April 2024

Day One

I decided to get out for a one-night trip to Hercules Glades. Apart from our Eclipse Trip I’ve not been out this month. An overnight stop at my camping spot near Deep Hollow would be just what the doctor ordered.

The forecast was looking good, but based on my last visit, water was likely to be scarce. I opted to leave my chair and tarp behind to reduce weight and carry in three liters of water (6.6 lbs.). As my new hiking pole hadn’t arrived yet, I took a chance with my temporary repair lasting another twelve miles.

I arrived at the trailhead at midday feeling very discombobulated. So much so, that I had a false start, and returned to the car and then set off again.

It’s turkey hunting season, and I met one weary and unsuccessful hunter on the trail. He bemoaned the fact that he hadn’t heard a single turkey call, and finished up by saying that I was much more sensible, and “at least you know what you are doing.” In my two days I don’t think I heard a single shot from within the wilderness, and I certainly didn’t hear or see any turkeys.

Just after the Cedars Trail (Middle Trail) junction, I met another backpacker with a pair of tired looking dogs taking a rest. She’d spent the night by Long Creek Falls and was heading back to the trailhead. And that was the last person I saw in my two days stay.

There was a tiny trickle of water at ‘Elephant Tracks Crossing’ (a.k.a. ‘Twin Falls Creek’), and I stopped for lunch and a cup of tea, before moving on the ‘Deep Hollow.’

finding a couple of trees buried in a forest isn’t the easiest of navigational tasks.

At around four O’clock I started bushwhacking towards my campsite, determined to try and find it by compass alone — believe me, finding a couple of trees buried in a forest isn’t the easiest of navigational tasks. Which explains why I was quite pleased with myself when that was exactly what I did!