HikingHoosier

And then after some trail work I headed off to explore some more remote areas of the HoosierNF. Hiked a little over 8 miles off trail, and found a half dozen new wildlife ponds, a few really nice burl trees, and a lot of wildlife. Another Scarlet Tanager, two turtles and snakes.

Got an early start today with the north end of trail 20. With the ever increasing tick population and briars who like to encroach more every year, I might go a little beyond the 6 foot corridor. But less trips for me and far fewer spiderwebs for everyone is a good thing...

Rain day today, so gear repair it is. Soaking the old Sawyer filters in white vinegar to restore flow rate, sewed up some torn mesh on the old @OspreyPacks, and now to epoxy some pole ferrules back into place. Then loading up for another trail workday in the @HoosierNF.

Final day exploring the north end of Fork Ridge. The south end awaits, but I got some trail work to catch up on before the holiday weekend.

Another exploring weekend in the @HoosierNF, again focusing on the Fork Ridge area. I checked out the large Thompson Cemetery to start, then just headed off to find my own routes.

Enjoying another workday in the @HoosierNF! Got trail 20 cleared, had a little fun with the sharpie, and had a turkey decide to escape by flying right at me. Also leaving my back leaning against that fresh cut pine wasn't such a great idea....

Another day of clearing trails yesterday in the @HoosierNF. Got another 2 miles cleared and pruned in 8 hours. Felling a little sore today, but only have 2 more miles left to clear before the weedeating season takes over.

Another weekend exploring the @HoosierNF, hiking around the Fork Ridge area. No old homesteads this time, just some nice secluded areas. Even had time for some trail clearing, save for a few trees that were lucky I wasnt carrying the saw...

Well back to the fun stuff yesterday. Several trees down, plenty of limbs and some early season pruning in the @HoosierNF.

More HoosierNF, today was the Intermediate off-trail backpacking trip. Laura spotted the well for one of the old homesteads I had missed on two previous trips. Then I found another great homestead site and enjoyed a hilltop sunset while poking around after camp was set up.

More adventures today in the @HoosierNF. Exploring more of the forest just outside of Story Indiana. Started the day with a chance meeting with a group from Trail Life, then off for some hills and hollers...

Just back from a short off trail backpacking trip. More time exploring for future routes. Found some new ways around, and a couple routes I can't use. Not every trip is all easy paths, but learning is my happy place. Now hopefully my house avoids its Wizard of Oz impression!

Old homesteads, an old cemetery, and a lot of unique finds today for the beginner trip next weekend. If this weather can hold on for about a month I'd sure appreciate it. Started around 40 degrees and hit maybe 58 today. Great off trail weather.

And my first group hike of the year was mostly successful. Only a few threw things at me as I led them to Indiana Stonehenge and then some off trail today. We had perfect weather for 10 miles, and I think everybody survived...

Hiking in 90 degrees and then a few days later 20s with wind and snow. I'll take the cold weather over the heat any day. Scouting for next weekend's group hike, up to Browning Mountain off trail and then some exploring.

A much shorter day on the trail today. I headed east from my location yesterday to just outside White Springs to continue along the Suwannee River. Now for a break to spend some time with family, and then I'll find another stop to explore a trail on the way back home.

A great 13.6 miles today along the Suwannee River area of the Florida Trail. I'm still a long way from back to normal, but feel confident about all the hikes and backpacking trips I'm leading in March and beyond. A slightly shorter hike tomorrow to see how back to back days feel.

Stopped by the Highpoint Trail along the Pinhoti Trail yesterday. Got soaked, got some elevation, and now about to embark on some @floridatrail along the Suwannee River.

Drove up to complete the Nickel Plate Trail today, had my layers perfect and was hoping for 15 miles. Then almost halfway I realized I didn't have my car key. Flew back to the car and saw it hanging out the keyhole, but my leg did well for it being so atrophied...

Another quick hike after work in the @HoosierNF. I'll have to return to the jobsite to get back my temporary cores for the new exit devices I installed, which is just another excuse to sneak back over to my favorite place here in Ho Ho Hoosier land...