Sunday, November 4, 2018

Ozark Trail- Backpacking Hwy 8 trail head south on Courtois Section

This trip was designed to be a trip of several nights- the goal was to get down to Hazel Creek and then hike back. The weather had other plans, so we cut this one down to one night. Got about 2.5 miles down from the trail head and decided to go ahead and bushwack a campsite, as it was getting closer to sunset and it looked like rain was starting to move in. Got camp set up and then it started to rain. I was using my older Kelty Super Tioga external frame pack, so I brought one of those big black garbage bags and used it as a rain cover, and then slid into the tent. There is something really serene about taking a nap during an afternoon shower.

 Something that has been a fantastic accessory on my recent trips is my Kindle. It does not take a lot of space or weight, and I can spend a few hours on each trip reading....finished up Treasure Island and started in on "The Maine Woods" by Henry David Thoreau

 A few things I could have done better:
 1. Printed the wrong map for the trail section I was on. I should have double checked before I left....was wondering why the topo maps I downloaded on my Delormme Inreach was not matching what I printed out
 2. With the bigger pack, I should have packed a pair of sandals for the wet creek crossing. Took my shoes off going up and it was a little rough on the bottoms of my feet. Coming back, I just hiked right though it, as the trail head was about 1/8 mile from the crossing

 Day 2: Fantastic sunrise and we actually got about an hour of glorious sunlight coming over the hill and making the changing colors of the forest glow. Temperature was about 38 degrees, and was perfect for some morning serenity with a cup of coffee. Saw a really nice buck on the journey back, with his white tail up in the air and he scurried away from me on the trail

 If you enjoy these trips, please like our Facebook page, and check out even more photos from this trip: https://www.facebook.com/Ozarkmountainandstreamadventures/
Hiking/Backpacking
Nov 3, 2018 10:19 AM
Duration (Total) 1h 5m 36s , Distance 2.2 mi
Not any established campsites on this site- when you bushwack a camp, please leave no trace :-)
-Tracked by kayakthemidwest, on Ramblr
This trip was designed to be a trip of several nights- the goal was to get down to Hazel Creek and then hike back. The weather had other plans, so we cut this one down to one night. Got about 2.5 miles down from the trail head and decided to go ahead and bushwack a campsite, as it was getting closer to sunset and it looked like rain was starting to move in. Got camp set up and then it started to rain. I was using my older Kelty Super Tioga external frame pack, so I brought one of those big black garbage bags and used it as a rain cover, and then slid into the tent. There is something really serene about taking a nap during an afternoon shower.
Something that has been a fantastic accessory on my recent trips is my Kindle. It does not take a lot of space or weight, and I can spend a few hours on each trip reading....finished up Treasure Island and started in on "The Maine Woods" by Henry David Thoreau

A few things I could have done better:
1. Printed the wrong map for the trail section I was on. I should have double checked before I left....was wondering why the topo maps I downloaded on my Delormme Inreach was not matching what I printed out
2. With the bigger pack, I should have packed a pair of sandals for the wet creek crossing. Took my shoes off going up and it was a little rough on the bottoms of my feet. Coming back, I just hiked right though it, as the trail head was about 1/8 mile from the crossing

Day 2: Fantastic sunrise and we actually got about an hour of glorious sunlight coming over the hill and making the changing colors of the forest glow. Temperature was about 38 degrees, and was perfect for some morning serenity with a cup of coffee. Saw a really nice buck on the journey back, with his white tail up in the air and he scurried away from me on the trail

If you enjoy these trips, please like our Facebook page, and check out even more photos from this trip: https://www.facebook.com/Ozarkmountainandstreamadventures/
          
          
          
          
          
          
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Monday, May 15, 2017

North Sylamore Creek Trail, AR: Blanchard Springs to Alison- Amazing!

Hiking/Backpacking
May 12, 2017 3:26 PM
Duration (Total) 1d 20h 14m , Distance 9.3 mi
lots of flat rocks on trail- wear an appropriate boot- more rugged towards Allison- took a tumble on some rocks- flat ones are slick!
-Tracked by kayakthemidwest, on Ramblr
3 Days and 2 nights on the south end of this incredible trail!

Day 1: Camped about a mile south of the Blanchard springs rec area....was still raining, and the creek was higher and muddy, it was an early night

Day 2: It is amazing how quickly the creek cleared up....by morning clear water and down about 1.5 feet just overnight. This day was were we did the majority of the milage. Hiked all the way to end (Alma). Stopped at the creek to cross over- wet crossing- I would never attempt this when high. Came back and camped at Sick Rock Hollow- incredible waterfall and awesome site- about as perfect as it gets.

Day 3: Got back to the trailhead around noon- weather really was starting to warm up...incredible array of wildflowers- and the woodpeckers are going insane right now (all the bugs are hatching)
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
Click http://rblr.co/SNjj to see more details.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

White River/Beaver Lake Arkansas: Great favorite paddle on higher water

Kayaking/Canoeing
May 10, 2017 2:03 PM
Duration (Total) 2h 9m 35s , Distance 5.6 mi
-Tracked by kayakthemidwest, on Ramblr
I had a couple of hours and an opportunity at one of my favorite spots to do a quick flatwater trip. Water was about 6 foot higher than when I kayaked this a few months ago- The bend at the end with the run continues to change each time we have massive floods... Rock bank is always moving- I love this time of the year – all the beautiful song birds are out- saw goldfinch and bluebird as well as the normal cast of characters of kingfishers and great blue heron's... this time of the year is amazing!
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
Click http://rblr.co/SFxO to see more details.