Day Four. Camped in open oak woodland – It was the warmest night so far, so a good night not to have set the tarp. +3
Panorama
A panorama is either an image cropped to an elongated rectangle, or it’s an image comprised of two or more pictures stitched together to create a wider (or taller) image.
Hercules Glades Wilderness from the Pole Hollow Trail – Looking east. Two-minute read, +1
Lunch break by Long Creek – The Falls on Long Creek are a popular destination, so I normally stop a couple of hundred yards or so further downstream to keep away from people. Today was no different. Although it was deserted when I arrived, at least half a dozen people turned up while I was taking a break. Two-minute read, +2
Long Creek, Hercules Glades Wilderness, Fall 2021 #2 – Wide angle view.
On the Devil’s Den East (Upper Pilot) Trail. Hercules Glades Wilderness – The Devil’s Den East (Upper Pilot) Trail joins the Pilot (Tower) and Rock Spring (Long Creek) Trails. Arriving at the Rock Spring Trail at what we’ve dubbed ‘Sheep Frog Pond.’
Lifting mist at Piney Creek – Complete with a heron.
View from the lake.
Day Two – Piney Creek lakeside vistas. I never tire of the play of light on the trees here. +2
Storm clouds over Ozark – checking on the radar, the storm was nine miles away over Ozark.
And very tall trees too.
Trees, trees, and more trees.
Nothing but trees – Camped in Mark Twain National Forest, it was a wonderful morning in a rejuvenating spot.
Dry creek bed – So much of my hope for finding water on the eastern side of the loop. +1
Heading up towards Whites Creek Cave – the trail is narrow and the drop-off steep. It appears that most people miss where the trail turns left up the hill to the cave.
Whites Creek at the Whites Creek Float Camp – Whites Creek Float Camp looks to be abandoned, but I’m guessing it is just showing a lack of TLC brought on by a year of neglect because of COVID-19. +2
Eleven Point (Wild and Scenic) River – This is pretty much the only overlook in the entire 20-mile Whites Creek Trail. The trail here is very narrow and rough with a 100+ft. drop-off on one side. +1
Bliss Spring – Panorama
The two springs at Bliss Spring, Irish Wilderness, Missouri.
The Pilots – Seen from the Coy Bald Trail.
“Blazes? We don’t need no stinking blazes.” I have no idea. They are everywhere.