Exploring

I know this trail well, I've done it several times but never in the winter. So after discovering this valley of ice one of my friends who I met through the gym asked if she could go along. She wasn't sure if she could handle a long hike but I told her we could cut it short.

I told Pat that my favorite way to hike was to stop and look at things and not hurry as if we were in a competition.

I found out that she is that way also. When she found Turkey Tail Mushrooms on a log she had to stop and investigate and photo them. We found tiny branches with burls on them and she collected them along with some fascinating Lichen we found on a stick in the trail.

This is Pat's winter Lego person investigating mosses we found on an old white pine stump.

I was 'hunting' ice and we found quite a bit of it.

We stopped here and I was enamored with the ice and the pines. Pat found more fungi and interesting pine cones. She explored mosses and whatever else captured her attention.

We marveled at the Hemlock trees that clung to the small bluffs.

We had a pretty good laugh at one of the little stream crossings that had thin ice and water flowing. 

I tested the ice like a goofball and jumped on it.

I broke through the ice. I fell on my butt with my boots in the water and jumped up and across the stream.

I'm not sure what Pat thought, but I laughed with such joy that she decided join in. My one foot probably got wet but my butt was dry.

I asked her if she thought I was crazy and she just smiled. Then she bent down to take a photo of the tiny stream. She jumped the stream and went on.

When we got back to the parking area, I informed her that we'd done just over 5 miles and I asked her how she felt. She said fine. The point was, we were going on an adventure not on a strict hike. The steps went by as we enjoyed nature and each others quiet company.

I asked if she'd do it again. Affirmative. She enjoyed herself.

Through this past year and the death of my husband, Pat has quietly given me support and listened to me without judgement. She doesn't tell me how to get through it and offers none of the platitudes that others give out. On some days when we meet at the gym and work out with the group, she brings me a 'Care Supper'. 

I am finding that this quiet unassuming southerner is probably one of the best girlfriends I could ever have.

I am looking forward to more exploring with her. They will be trails I've already familiar with, but to take another person with fresh eyes is always a special delight.

 

Winter Discovery

 Serendipity is an incredible thing. 
The shot above was just that.
I turned around and saw this
incredible light while hiking.

So, on Wednesday Charlie was not going to let me go alone again on a hike. So I picked a place close to home once more and took a trail I have never taken in the winter time.

I wanted to change things up a bit. I always go to the same spots in the winter to look for ice formations.

I thought I'd try something different.

Boy, 
am I glad I did!

I took this trail which I only visit in the spring time as it is full of Virginia Bluebells and this is one of the finest places to listen to the Spring Peepers sing.

Spring view ... 

Below, not a great shot, because I used my little pocket camera....
Winter view.. [sorry it is such an awful shot the white balance was completely blown away!]

It was quite frozen. By next week, when it warms up for another thaw, the view will be quite different. 

Below is a view from the other side of that little bluff.

Charlie and I followed another trail I've never done in the winter. I had an idea that I'd see more 'ice caves' on this particular trail. I did. 

I counted 6 rock shelters and deep ravines. They all have water that seeps out of the rocks. This drains down into a valley and out into the river. 

It isn't so noticeable the rest of the year, because the water is just gently oozes out of the rocks and follows the ravine down through the thick woods.

The winter temperatures change that and freeze the water as it gently comes out. 

I wanted to see what the wetland looked like in the winter. Part of the trail goes through a large steep valley that is quite soggy.

Summer view:

Winter view:

In the spring, this portion of the valley is full of one of the very first spring plants that flowers. The Skunk Cabbage. 

This is where I stopped hiking for the day and just did a bit of exploring. The icy valley is huge and begs to be explored. 

We spent some time walking around. Charlie did his dog thing of sniffing and following tracks and I just fell in love with the lighting and atmosphere of this particular place.

Here Charlie just checking things out.

In the first shot he is looking down the valley
where the water eventually goes to 

reach the Kickapoo River.

The steep hillsides with the noon sun shining through the trees created

a magical atmosphere.

This is the valley to 
the North.

Cellphone shot attempt at a panorama view 

of the valley to the west.

I think I found my 'new' favorite place to go in the winter at least until I explore it more.

Afternoon off

There it was. An afternoon without phone calls or appointments.

I scooped Charlie up and we headed out the door for some free time. 

I took my little pocket camera. It is an Olympus Tough camera which is 'weather proof' and waterproof. 

We started at the south end of Hay Valley and worked north. The trails are not groomed trails but mostly a one track trail. That means that horses, mules, and people have to give way to each other when we meet.

I met two sets of horseback riders. I could hear first riders as they were talking while coming my way. I scooped up Charlie and stuck him under my arm and called out "Hiker with a dog!".  I kept talking to them until they and their horses could see me.

This is called Trail Etiquette, especially in a dense forest. I don't think some hikers understand that even though it just makes sense. The riders were seasoned people and locals. We chatted a bit. They really appreciated my call out. I used to ride these trails and we rarely ran across hikers which is still fairly true. 

The trail section I was on is 8 miles of hard hiking from one end to the other. However, to make a loop I needed to take a secondary trail out to the highway and go back to where I parked.

The following shots are those I took along the trail. Just shots I took along the way to remind me of what this trail looks like as it changes colors. I've hiked this in the spring and once in mid summer. I recommend fall or spring.

I want to do it in the winter also so I can appreciate the bluffs and 'caves' I was able to see.

Near the Bailout Trail and Washout Trail turnoffs from Hay Valley I came upon two women who were sitting on their horses with a map discussing which way they wanted to go.

The signs at this juncture are pretty confusing. IF you are not familiar with which direction the trails actually take, you could very well take the wrong turn.

This was the second time in a year that I've helped horse riders figure out where they need to go. 

There is an advantage to having navigated each and every one of the trails. Having a compass and a map are essential things to have.

I told them to take the south trail.

"You mean turn left, right?" 

In the deep woods you cannot always tell which direction you are headed. "Correct, turn left." 

When we made it back to the 'Ru, I met an fella who was loading up some nice kayaks. I noted the kayaks, he noted Charlie and asked to pet him. The gent was in his 70's and was doin the Dam Challenge Race on Saturday. He was doing the kayak/canoe portion of the race.

I learned so much more about kayaking in such a short time. I also learned that the trail along the Pine River in Richland Center was more scenic than where we were at. 

What a vibrant 75 yr old. He hikes every Sunday with others, kayaks, and is an adventurer. Ever meet someone and immediately like that person?

What a wonderful afternoon. I not only got some great hiking in. I got to meet some really nice folks.

Charlie? He slept all the way home and cuddled up in the evening.

Tall tails of Trails

Trail Challenge 2023 is coming along nicely. Of course a lot of my hiking is with Charlie or totally solo. 

My buddy Bill is dealing with asthma issues as well as honey-do issues. Olive has Spring Track Meets and she is coaching 5 evenings a week so she pulls double and triple duty, working full time, being a mom and a coach. However, she is enjoying it which truly matters.

I took Charlie with me to do the south end of the Hay Valley Trail which I did last summer. Time Out ~ If you want to review it...

I thought it would be neat to see the same trail in the springtime.

I brought along my infrared camera of course. I can't resist viewing the world in a different light.
These were taken with a 720nm filter.

Bridge 10 with traffic

Kickappo River

Kickapoo Backwaters

The North end of Hay Valley offers some neat places to note. One of the harder places to cross is what I dubbed 'The Swamp'. Last year it was wet, mucky, but doable by walking on logs and clumps of grass. It was rather shaded when I did it, but still noteworthy. A walking stick would have been good for some extra balance, but I'm terrible at walking with one. 
I generally set it down and have to go back for it.

Anyway. Spring brought a different view to The Swamp.

It was a bit more wet but more trees had fallen down. Over the years, hikers have place pieces of wood in strategic spots to use while crossing this spot.

All the plants that are in this photo below are Skunk Cabbage plants leafing out. The bright greens of fresh leaves and sunlight were amazing. 

Skunk Cabbage:

The next attraction was the Twin Caves. I don't know if anyone else makes up the names like I do, but it helps me remember exactly where these neat spots are.

I'd seen a hint of a rock shelter when I went through here last year. I wanted to see it in the spring before the undergrowth hid everything.

I was not disappointed as I found a trail that went right between them.

Each 'cave' or rock shelter was at least 6 or more feet tall inside. I didn't have time to hike down into them. I'll have to do that at another time. Perhaps in the winter when the water flows over the rock and forms ice walls.

The forest floor was littered with Virginia Pinks blazing away. We walked the trail rather slowly. I wanted to look at it all.

Most of the trail is part of the original trail system that existed before Kickapoo Valley Reserve took over from the Core of Engineers. Some of the trail has been re-routed to stay out of the steep gorges.

I don't find that trail extremely difficult, but this can be a long hike if you have to go back to where you started from. It was just under 5 miles when I hiked along Highway 131 to get back to where I parked.

Otherwise the distance from bridge 10 and Hay Valley to Bailout Trail is only a bit over 3.5 miles.

It took Charlie and I 2 hours and 40 minutes which included stopping often to look at things which included a trailside chat with a couple of older folks that were out hiking.

The next time I visit this trail, it may be during the fall or winter. Then I can say I've seen it in every season.

Sections 38 and 39 have been knocked off....