OTSHAB Beginner Winter Backpacking Trip Jan 13-15 2023

As you might remember, I am a member of the Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers (OTSHAB) Facebook group. Part of what makes this group great is that it promotes hiking and camping for everyone, including beginners. A few times per year there are trips that are scheduled for people wanting to get out and try hiking and camping for the first time. This is not just a meet up, but a very involved multi month process, with many Zoom meetings, discussing gear selection and fitness, First Aid course, and many many posts asking and answering questions before you can participate. I have been fortunate enough to act as one of the "Experienced" Backpackers (EB = read mentor) for these trips. This particular trip was our first Winter outing and it was only open to those that participated in either the spring or fall Beginner Trip.

The purpose is to ease "newbie's" into Winter camping and hiking. Six miles of walking each way and an overnight in-between and hopefully weather that won't be too severe but will offer a taste of walking and sleeping in the cold and all the added nuances that entails. 

All of these trips are very well thought out and organized. For the Winter Trip we would have almost a 1:1 ratio with BB and EB. Four or Five BB's with Four or Five EB's in each group and we had three groups. 

The hike is scheduled to start on Saturday morning at 11 am and last until Sunday afternoon at around 2 pm. 

It was proposed that anyone that wanted to meet up on Friday night should camp at Berryman campground. This is a no fee site, but it does have a pavilion and a privy. It is at the south end of the Berryman loop trail. 

I set up a canopy because the forecast was for some chance of rain

Since it was my Birthday, I decided to treat myself to a steak and sides with an excellent 14% stout, homemade by Cory.  (Black Pine Brewing) 

Vicky had gotten me a sheet cake and I brought 3/4 of it that was left to the campsite for everyone to share as a dessert. 

As you can imagine since it was essentially car camping, we had a rip roaring fire

Russ, another of the EB's, being the fire master had brought some homemade wax candles (accelerants 😁) that formed a fountain of fire.

Fire!

The next morning dawned and I was glad I just slept in the truck as there was a layer of good frost on everything. It got down to about 20F.

I had also packed some bacon and cinnamon rolls for the group for breakfast. I went a bit overboard with the set up, but it was easy to break down and with my work schedule I don't get to come out with the group as much as I would like. It is a good thing that a few of the BB's came out last night as well. They did use their winter camping set-ups and a few needed some adjustments as they were cold and where concerned about spending another night out. Adjustments were made, some gentle advise was given and everyone would carry on. 

Our group was designated to hike a portion of the Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail. We would meet everyone in our group at the North Hwy DD Trailhead (by the entrance to Council Bluff Lake) and then shuttle everyone to the 6 mile mark on the trail below to begin the hike to Hazel Creek campground (top left of the map below) 

Meeting at the trailhead and making introductions for those not at the Berryman campsite last night. In addition, this time was meant for helping with pack fittings, pack shake downs, last minute questions, etc. 

A great group photo before anyone is lost in the woods! 

photo from Brian & Regina Peak

Brian and I being the designated shuttle drivers for the hike, loaded everyone up and drove the 6 miles to the 6 mile marker spot where the Trace Creek Section crosses a gravel road and dropped everyone off to start hiking toward Hazel Creek campsite/trailhead. There were eight hikers off into the woods.

Brian and I would drive up to Hazel Creek campground, park our trucks and then hike the opposite direction to meet the group at about the 3 mile mark.

Hazel Creek campground gets its name from Hazel Creek, a rather large creek that you need to cross twice. The second time being a rather wide crossing that usually means getting at least your feet wet, if not more.

The water was rather low with only about a twenty five foot section to cross that was about knee deep. However as luck would have it, there was a tree limb that had been placed across the water and while it wasn't the most stable, we made some adjustments to it, and then it was just a matter of not falling off in order to stay dry. Which was great as the water was very cold!

On the gravel bar, we found some turkey prints. They were exceptionally large prints, so perhaps velociraptors.

At almost exactly half way (3.2 miles) we met the group and stopped to have some lunch or snacks.

Turning around, we all headed back toward Hazel Creek.

It turned into a great day to walk in the woods. Temperatures reached into the high 40's with no wind at all.

Hazel Creek becomes quite large and looks pretty down below, through the trees.

Perhaps an unusual find, what looks like bear scat on the trail. They might still be awake even in January. This looked to be very fresh, filled with seeds of some kind

Reaching Hazel Creek crossing again, it was time for the whole group to cross. With only minor hesitation and a few bobbles, everyone made it across that wanted to try the log, we had one BB that decided to change into her water shoes and just wade it, probably the smartest of our bunch! 

Discovering an old cistern or root cellar near Hazel Creek campsite

Reaching Hazel Creek campground everyone was free to spread out (we seemed to be the only ones spending the night) so we could pick our own spots. My hammock set up for the night, with a couple of tents in the background. 

More tents

and even more tents

and even some more hammocks. There were three groups in total, each with about 7-8 people and we all converged on the Hazel Creek campground for the night. 

Dinner time, with a few Piney River Brewing beers! 

I had made a homemade dehydrated trail tomato pasta from the Backcountry Foodie website. I find all their recipes to be excellent and well worth supporting. 

Sunset was excellent

Of course there was more fire! 

and more fountains of flame

photo from the shared group album

The next day dawned beautiful as well. This really turned out to be a great weekend. The temps were forecasted to edge a bit lower, but it looked like everyone would get on the trail dry and we should finish in the good weather window. 

Breakfast with my campsite mates; Tracy and Vickie 

With the sun coming up the groups were getting ready to leave. My job again was to hike in and meet them from the opposite direction and then when everyone was back to the 6 mile mark trailhead, shuttle everyone back to their cars for the finish. 

My departure right after the groups was delayed because of this campsite. I just couldn't leave it in this state. In fact the entire campground was completely trashed from careless users. The campsite I had slept in was not awful, just the usual micro trash and then bottles and cans thrown into the trees (well there was an old rusted car jack!) but that was easy to clean up. This on the other hand would take some time. 

About 30-45 minutes and all is much better. There was even string in the trees and other really nasty stuff just in the tree line, but fortunately I had packed a 40 gallon trash bag, but still it was completely full. 

Ironically a sign posted at the entrance to the campground reminds users to clean up their campsite.

I took the trash over to Council Bluff Lake boat ramps where they have trash dumpsters and then made my way back to where I was suppose to pick everyone up. I would need a couple of trips to get everyone back to their cars as Brian needed to get to work this morning, but just as they were due to arrive, Russ called and said to pick him up along another road and he would help me shuttle as well, so we could do it all in one trip. 

Having picked him up and retrieved his truck we were ready for our group to arrive.

and arrive they did, everyone safely out of the woods

Russ getting all the packs loaded in the back of his truck

Back to the starting point with everyone packing up and heading out. 

Making sure everyone makes it out of the parking area. The potholes in the dirt road had filled with water. 

Map of out and back walk on Saturday

I think everyone had a good experience and hopefully will add the winter months to their options for camping and hiking. Thank you everyone for making is such a great weekend. Really enjoyed everyone's company. Looking forward to the next one.