Whats Next?

With the successful completion of the MR 340 it is time to get back in the woods for some relaxation. Any ideas on a trip for this winter? jm

Bear Country...Finally

For the past few years the reports and sightings have been increasing around the Ozark region of the elusive black bear. The reports for the main stream public have been few and far between and it made us wonder while in the back country, do we really have to be careful...in Missouri? Well it is finally official, we are in bear country. This months issue of the Missouri Conservationist puts that item to rest and lists 10 ways to help protect yourself from the burgeoning bear population. While most of the items deal with car camping, some of the items can translate into people who are sans car and exist in the back country on their own two feet...well I guess mountain bikes as well. The first item mentioned is never feeding bears; this one is for everyone, even if you see a bear on the side of the road as you fly down any back country highway. Feeding a bear is bad and could injure someone else in the future. The next few items mentioned deal with how food is handled. In a backpacking situation, it would be best for us to begin to adopt a method of eating dinner while on the trail and continuing another 1/2 hour or so to our camp. This method would prevent the majority of food smells from being generated while in camp and subsequently next to your bed. Our group currently does not hang a bear bag, but by adding a few ounces, an ultra lightweight version could save some problems. All smellable items would be placed in the bag and hung on a rope that is positioned between two trees at least 15' high and 5' from the trunk. The last item they mention in the article is keeping your dogs on a leash. I do not own a dog and probably wouldn't take a dog along, but we have had dogs on our trips and they remain unleashed almost the entire time. The dog owner would have to take care of that issue...I for one will stay with my chickens in my backyard. Check the article here. jm

The Ozark Trail Makes the Missouri Conservationist

If you do not get a copy of the Missouri Conservationist (MC), first off, you are missing out an a great publication, and secondly you probably haven't seen the June issue where the OT gets a featured article. David Stonner, photographer and writer for the MC, describes a handful of the more outstanding features of our beloved Ozark Trail. The group that regularly travels the OT and who have been the basis for this blog have experienced most of the places that David mentions. Having recently been up and across Stegall Mountain, the photo "Stars at Stegall" captures the scene beautifully. A big thank you to the Missouri Conservationist for taking the trail to Missourians who may not be aware of this enormous asset we have. Check out the article and photo gallery here. jm

5 year Recap

It has been five years since this group of friends began hiking again and I thought it was time to post a collective of group photos from the trips. Aside from the 9 regular attenders, we have had 17 other people join the group for only one trip. For some, this was their first backcountry experience, while others simply didn't have time to plan an outing. It has been amazing to see the packs get lighter and the mileage per outing longer...and the moonshine container has even gone from glass to collapable water bag. I think next up will be the entire Courtois Section in two days...anybody in? Here they are:

Trace Creek-26 miles-2005


Middle Fork-22 miles-2006


Blair Creek-20 miles-2007


Karkaghne Section-28 miles-2008


Council Bluff to Bell Mountain-20 miles-2009


River to River Trail, Illinois-42 miles-2009


Current River-30 miles-2010

Current River Section OT

On the morning of March 6, 2010, a group of nine hikers set off to see the entire length of the Current River Section of the Ozark Trail in two days. We had one guest hiker in tow, John Voigts, author of the River to River Trail guidebook. The remaining group members were: Jeff Moore, David Tudor, Craig Smith, Paul Caudell, Todd Whaley, Isaac Noland, Josh Heater, & Jeremy Dean. We set off under perfect blue skies with the temperature in the upper 30’s. We traveled through the tunnel under highway 60 and entered the woodlands to find a very well marked trail. We traveled through the morning, stopping occasionally to see the landscape features or to catch our breath. Some used the time to doctor the blisters that had already begun to form. This first day was quite consistent as far as scenery goes…trees, creeks, & rocky tread. We took lunch along a small creek next to the trail and took a short nap. As the day grew later we picked up the pace to summit Stegall Mountain by dusk, almost 18 miles from our starting point. We started up the mountain as the sun was starting to set. The view increased with every step and before we knew it we were looking at the summit cairn with an almost 360 degree view of the Ozarks. Photos snapped as we descended to a saddle on the east side to set up a well protected camp. The lightweight alcohol stoves boiled water and the fire exploded from the dry wood littering our camping spot. Our freeze dried concoctions devoured; we didn’t linger long around the fire before the group made their way to the warmth and comfort of the sleeping bags. We awoke on Sunday morning with overcast skies and short bursts of rain. Back on the trail, the sun came out and we cruised down to the Rocky Falls side trail where we dropped our packs. As we entered Rocky Falls, I discovered trail magic. One full ice cold Budweiser can floating in the creek…with a born on date of January 10, 2010. In no time the beer was gone and Paul, Josh, & Todd went for a swim while the rest of the crew climbed to the top of the falls…only to discover another beer! We soaked in the sun and water and made our way back to the packs and on to Klepzig Mill for lunch. We lounged on the Rhyolite, replenished our water, and continued on our way when we crossed paths with another group of hikers from the Division of Youth Services. It was fantastic to see those kids out on the trail on that beautiful day…but I felt sorry for them as they were loaded to the gills with equipment. I do not miss the days when my pack was that big and heavy. By mid afternoon we had made it to the Current River and cruised through the riparian corridor making our way to the highway 106 bridge, logging an astonishing 31 miles in 14 total hours of hiking. A special thanks to Terry McCallister who has adopted a portion of the Current River section and to the maintenance crew members, Robert, Gwen, Kathy, Jeff, and the few others who I don’t know your name, Thank You. This portion of trail is one of the best in my book. jm

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Topo Maps

Updated Gear List

This trip on the Current River Section will involve two new items. The first item, Gossamer Gear's Lightrek 3 Custom Trekking Poles, have been in my arsenal since Christmas and unfortunately have been slowly collecting dust. But they are out now and should be incredible based upon the reviews out there. Total weight was slightly more than advertised, but still registered at only 2.8 oz per pole. This 15 oz savings (Leki poles-21 oz) should be felt within the first few miles of the trail. The second item is one that is homemade...a Tyvek bivy sack. I have done my research when it comes to Tyvek products and did not want to invade my goose down bag with body moisture so I designed it more like a canoe, in that the moisture leaving my body can escape up thru the bag and into the atmospere. Since I will have my sil-nylon tarp above me there was no need to fully envelope my sleeping bag; more simply, I just needed the foot box and sides covered just in case rain decides to blow sideways. This reduced size alows the bivy to come in at a scant 6.45 oz. I will post pictures of this thing from the trip. My revised gear list is below...7.8 lbs base weight ain't to shabby. jm

Guest Hiker for Current River

John Voigts, aka "Professor", of the River to River Trail Guidebook will be a guest hiker on our trip next weekend. This will be John's first steps on the Ozark Trail. He will be at the STL REI tonight giving a presentation on the R2R Trail, program starts at 6:30 pm. We welcome this Illinoian to Missouri...what a great trip this will be! jm

Current River Section

Next trip is scheduled for March 5 thru 7 on the Current River Section of the Ozark Trail. Drop a comment if you are going so we dont leave you behind. jm

A New Blog

My brothers and I have started a new blog entitled "3dudesinacanoe" that will capture our purpose and training for the upcoming MR 340 race held on the Missouri River this summer. Details and a full narrative are still being devloped but you can link it now and check in on the progress. jm