Post by Coolkat on Nov 3, 2023 12:21:24 GMT -8
Day 1
This year for my fall hike I did things a bit differently. I backpacked 2 different trails both very similar in length 37 miles and 35 miles. This is the second of the 2 hikes the trail that I do most years. This trail has a special place in my heart since this is where I did my very first backpacking trip in 2008.
This year I got started on the trail about 11:30am
I've done this trail several times and I like to stop at some of the same places that I've taken pictures before to compare to other years. Like this spot.
Another couple of miles down the trail it turns on to some two-track that reveals the sandy soil that is so prevalent in this area. Even though this is two-track and not a "trail" I've come to enjoy this section as it usually has some tell tale signs of the local critters and this year I'm not disappointed. It appears that there is or was a small bear in the area.
At about 5 miles in the trail passes through a state forest campground where I stop and take my lunch break and get some water from the pump so I don't have to filter this evening. It appears this year that even though I'm here on the same weekend that I always do I'm probably about a week past peak color as this tree is normally full and bright red.
Another 5 miles and I get to my goal. A nice pine needle covered area next to the river. Water here is accessible but not necessarily easy to get. I get camp setup and settle in for the evening and just enjoy the solitude and plan the next 3 days schedule and where I want to camp as its suppose to be fairly rainy.
Day 2
In the morning I go through my normal ritual eating breakfast and breaking down camp and get going. Just a couple of miles into the day and looked down and find someone's SeaToSummit head net. If they hiked this trail before August I'm guessing they really missed it as the bugs are crazy here then. I already have a head net so I place it on an obvious branch nearby for someone else or maybe the original owners if they hike this trail again next year. I will say though that I'm somewhat surprised at finding this because I've never ever seen another soul hiking this trail.
By early afternoon I've mad enough miles and that I decide to stop for the day and camp at my favorite spot on this trail. There is just something about this spot underneath some huge White Pines and tall Norwegian Red Pines right next to a lake that almost make this place cathedral like for me.
The rest of the day is spent literally napping on the pine needles and walking down to the old dam to get water for dinner and breakfast.
Day 3
This hike so far as been rain free very unlike the forecast I saw before I left that said was saying 75% and 80% chance of rain almost every day of the hike. I'm not complaining though! There has obviously been a frost here as a lot of the Braken ferns are dead. There is also the lack of dew which is a 2nd bonus since walking through these with even a light dew is like walking all day in a down pour.
Today I run into something I've never seen on this trail before... another human. I was hiking north and was going around a bend only meet a woman hiking south. We chatted a few and then went our separate ways. By early afternoon I find myself on the Kingston Plains. As far as you can see is nothing but stumps from White Pines that were logged off in the late 1800's (for the Chicago fire I think, but don't quote me on that). It has an odd vibe to go with it. Kinda like walking through a ghost forest. This would have been incredible to see before it had been logged off.
This time I hike until mid to late afternoon before stopping for the day. I get things setup and take a short nap. It's so nice not be on a hard schedule.
Early that morning the forecasted rains showed up in the form of a thunderstorm that rolled through and the winds picked up for a while but nothing scary
Day 4
Day 4 I find myself packing up a wet tent even after trying to "dry" it with a chamois but such the life of a backpacker. This is a shorter day with only about 7 miles to cover. All packed up and ready to go.
About 5 miles later I find myself at the end of the Fox River Pathway as it dumps me out onto the shore of Lake Superior. Now only two miles to my car and then 15 miles via car to the local eatery. Again and another fall hike behind me that didn't disappoint.
If you'd like to see all the pictures you can find them here flic.kr/s/aHBqjB229b