Longer write-ups on our backpacking trips.
Once more unto the trails dear friends1 (three days in Piney Creek Wilderness) – Rain, thunder, a flooding lake, wading, and bushwhacking make for a different start to a weekend’s R&R. Piney Creek Wilderness. Trip write-up: Ten-minute read, 45 pictures
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. Trip write-up: 12-minute read. 30 pictures.
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 from what has been a very hectic couple of weeks, get some exercise, and enjoy some time out in the wild. Trip write-up: 10-minute read. 4 short videos. 24 pictures.
Two nights and a superb sunrise on the Bell Mountain Trail – 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. Trip write-up: 12-minute read. 38 pictures.
February 2020, Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness – It was time for me to get out and clock up a few more miles. We first planned to visit Paddy Creek Wilderness in late December 2011, but with high winds in the forecast, we decided to go to Piney Creek instead. Somehow Paddy Creek Wilderness never featured in our plans after then. Now was a good time to put that right. Trip write-up: 24-minute read. 69 pictures
January 2020, Three Days At Devil’s Backbone Wilderness – I visited old haunts and hiked the last of my un-trod trails in this wilderness. Trip write-up: 17-minute read. 48 pictures
Piney Creek Wilderness – January 2020 – A three day, two night, relaxing stay by the lakeside in Piney Creek Wilderness. Trip write-up: 11-minute read. 54 pictures.
This can only mean one thing … After a seven-month break, I’m finally back on the trail with my last hike of 2019. Trip write-up: 11-minute read, 31 pictures
Despite my best intentions, I’ve been too busy to get out on the trails since my last trip in March. This weekend I decided to fix that with three days hiking at Hercules Glades. My plan was to catch a sunset from the bluffs and do some exploring down Long Creek. Things didn’t quite end up how I’d planned though. Trip write-up: 10-minute read. 1 short video & 23 pictures.
Wet Feet Hike – The full write up of my recent hike. I was determined to get out on a couple of free days no matter what the weather was. The forecast was for rain and as it had been raining a lot the past few days I was expecting the trails to be wet. Trip write-up: 16-minute read, 48 pictures
Four Days, Three Nights, and Two Wildernesses – The full write-up of my late February backpacking trip. Trip write-up: 18-minute read, 29 pictures
A Backpacking Trip Goes Wrong – I was lost and didn’t even know it. And then I was taken violently ill.Trip write-up: Five-minute read. 13 pictures
Three Days Solo Backpacking in Late January – The weather had turned warm, and the recent snow had disappeared, so I headed off to Hercules Glades with the intention of spending some more time contemplating Life, The Universe, and Everything. Trip write-up: Five-minute read. 16 pictures
Hercules Glades Backpacking in November – Van problems forced me to select a nearby trail for a late fall break. Another visit to Hercules Glades was on the cards. Trip write-up: Ten-minute read, 53 pictures
Three Days Summer Backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness. I decided to take on my aversion to summer backpacking, face the heat, and see if I could get some wilderness rest and recuperation. Trip write-up: Eight-minute read. 49 pictures
Another Trip To Hercules Glades – Testing my new tarp and underquilt. Trip write-up: Eight-minute read, 40 pictures
Pees Hollow, Counter-clockwise For a Change – The last time Ginger and I went backpacking together was in August 2017. For this trip, Ginger chose the trail — Hercules Glades Wilderness, Pees Hollow trail, and I chose the route — Counter-clockwise. Trip write-up: Three-minute read, 14 pictures
Solo Backpacking at Piney Creek Wilderness — After a busy week, I made a snap decision to go backpacking. Trip write-up: Ten-minute read, 35 pictures
Pees Hollow Backpacking Trip – My new Hammock arrived last week and I couldn’t wait any longer to try it out. Trip write-up: Eight-minutes read, 54 pictures
Three Days Backpacking with a Hammock at Hercules Glades Wilderness – It was time to go out on my long awaited backpacking trip with a hammock. Plan ‘A’ was for us to go on a quick, one-night visit to Hercules Glades Wilderness. When Ginger decided she wasn’t going, I quickly came up with Plan ‘B’ which transformed the quick one-nighter into a solo three-day, Friday through Sunday trip. Trip write-up: Ten-minute read, 55 pictures
2017 Total Solar Eclipse Backpacking Trip – Our plans for viewing the eclipse were to go backpacking and watch the eclipse from the Mark Twain National Forest Trip write-up: Ten-minute read, 17 pictures
We spent a long weekend backpacking in Hercules Glades. The highlight being an afternoon resting and enjoying the spring sunshine on top of a 260 ft. bluff overlooking Beaver Creek. 29 pictures
Taking advantage of a long weekend, we took Lanie with us on a three-day backpacking trip to Hercules Glades. 15 pictures
Bell Mountain Wilderness – Eager to find a new sort of ground to cover, we turned our attention to the St. Francois Mountain area, and Bell Mountain in particular for our Spring Break trip. Trip write-up: Five-minute read, 22 pictures