The
Dirtbagger's Deluxe
Home What's New? E-Mail the Guys
|
The
Dirtbagger's Deluxe Home What's New? E-Mail the Guys
|
|
Lightweight Hiking Food Hiking Techniques Trip Journals Links NEW! Where To Go NEW! A Lesson From the Trail |
10/99 Burr Oak/Wildcat Hollow "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living." Ps 116:9 Day 1
I found my southern Ohio backpacking guide book and wanted to finally do the Burr Oak Trail. Something new! I'm going light this weekend and am trying the hammock thing again. I got a start about 1 or 2 PM (what's new?) and found the trail joyful. The trail follows right along the bank of the lake most of the time. No water problems here. The first night I camped at the group campground with about 300 Girl Scouts that were having a big 'ol jamboree. Being in such close proximity to 300 people wasn't as bad as I would have guessed. They didn't make all that much noise. The tarp/poncho/hammock shelter has worked out very well. At one time I thought a thunderstorm was going to blow right over me but it stayed to the north of me. What little rain I did get was kept off me by the poncho. I did find this rig to be too cold for anything below 55-60 degrees. I had every stitch of clothing on that I had and was still cold. Day 2
It was very foggy this morning and very damp. The kind of damp that gets into everything and chills you to the bone. A quick breakfast and I'm on the trail. I want to get this chill hiked off my bones. The trail is very good. It dips down to the lake every once in a while just to say "hello!". Just often enough to filter a bit of water along the way. The trail is not as bad as the book says it is. Either that or I'm just floating along on 'trail joy'! I was able to find the off shooting trail that connects Wildcat Hollow and Burr Oak with very little trouble. One of the things I love about Wildcat Hollow is the pine glens. Every once in a while you'll come across a small stand of pines that seem to say, "Camp here. It's perfect and we'll protect you." If one were to head the invitation of every pine glen here it would take a week to hike this 13 mile trail. I decided to camp fairly close to the trail head because the book says that the north section is the gut buster part of the trail. I would love to camp at my favorite site but I don't want to get in too deep on the day I'm supposed to hike out. Tonight is even colder than last night. It appears that hammock camping is a warm weather sport. Day 3
A quick breakfast and I'm on the trail again. The book warns of a hellish up and down trail on the last section but I find the trail a joy to hike. The final miles peal away and the day goes fast. I'm in 'Taco Bell Mode' now and can't wait to get me some!! A fabulous weekend! Total Miles:22 |
Dirtbag Hikin' Gear Food Hikin' Techniques Trips N' Stuff Linxs |
