Off and ready to go at the trail head. It was foggy and chilly 45 degrees. The trail is marked all the way with the OT blaze on trees and sign posts
Missouri has our equivalent of the Smokies "Balds" areas that have been cleard for new growth and forest restoration
( above) The Trail is marked at turns with two trail markers in the direction the trail bends
It was a beautiful first day. the Sun burned off the fog and the walk along the Courtouis Creek with its tall cliffs and rock formations, and caves was nice. Mile 5
At mile 11 you come to Bass Resort and have about a mile road walk
alot of gunfire as well. It turned out to be youth rifle and deer bowhunting season this week.
one of the many wildlife ponds along the trail
Most of the hard part was over, but after 2 days of pushing myself to almost 20 miles per day. I was done in, but it would have been a couple of relatively easy days after this. 12.5 miles each the next 2 days
The colors had begun to turn nicely along the trail this week
Hike Stats:
Day 1- 18 miles 8 hours
Day 2- 17 miles 8.5 hours
Animals: seen or heard
Coyote
Owl
Deer
Turkey
Latest Video is posted to the left in the video section
