We met up on a Thursday late morning and hit the trail at 11 am. The plan was to do the 11 miles counterclockwise to the Brazil Creek campsite and then the 16 miles finishing the loop and back to the cars, getting an early start Friday morning.
Thursday was another hot and humid day. we only had 11 miles but it was in the middle of the day. The heavy tree cover gave us plenty of shade, but with no breeze we sweated a lot.
Giant Walking Stick on the trail
Lots of the older sign posts in mid-Missouri have been used for target practice over the years.
Joe takes a break in the heat
Horses, mountain bikes and walkers permitted on the trail
more lovely trail
After 11 miles you come to a road and it is just over the bridge to the campsite
Brazil Creek Campsite is mostly a place for the horseman to stage their animals and park their trailers. At one time I remember it being a bit nicer than it has become. Campers have been careless with their trash and TP.
Getting out of the heat and letting the feet air out.
A thunderstorm rolled in just after we arrived with a couple of really good thunderclaps but no rain and it moved off to the north east leaving it a bit cooler
dinner time
a nice evening
my set up for the night
Friday morning was much cooler. I didn't any quilts until around 2:30 am and slept mostly through the night. The temperature in the morning was in the mid 60's
We were packed up and back on the trail by 7:30 am. It was Joe's turn to lead today and catch the spider webs. Actually he still ducks under most and I still get them right in the mouth!
Today was not much of a problem. The air was cooler and there was a good breeze. The early morning sun made for long shadows as we walked West
When you reach the Harmon Spring cut off the Ozark Trail Association has put lots of new signage. This part of the trail coming up is part of the official Ozark Trail. The Courtois 3 section. We had come 4 miles from Brazil Creek in 90 minutes
It continued to be picture perfect day for walking but it was starting to get warmer
Stock pond along the trail
With about 6 miles to go you reach Beecher Springs. This is a nice oasis on the trail as the old pump has been working for many years. A field of black eyed susans has grown up around the spring and it made for a good break spot for a rest and a mid morning snack
The old pump has seen some days, as has the trail sign
We have camped here before and used that tree for our hammocks, but the campsite did not fair well with recent storms. The campsite is a bit of a mess now.
6 more miles in about 3 hours. The last few miles my bone bruise (stress fracture) in my right heel began to ache again. This slowed me down considerably, so as Joe went on ahead I had the trail to myself (except for the 5 mountain bikers that past me toward the end)
Another good training session for Glacier National Park in a few weeks.
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