High Country Pathway

Fri. April 22nd at 12:45 pm
Mfog1 and I met at the Pigeon river HQS. We told the nice, little old lady of our plans and filled out a free camp permit. When we told her of our plans her response was, "Oh my,you know we're supposed to get snow." We replied that we knew of this and went on our way. We got a little turned around, trying to find Pine Grove SFCG and we were on a pretty bad two track.

I followed Mfog's Explorer in my little Miata and could go no futher. So, we turned around and back tracked to the sign and took the correct fork in the road this time. Finally, we made it to the campground where we'd leave Mfog's Explorer and this would also be our end point of the trip. Now we had to drive over to our starting point at Clear lk.S.P. No problem,right? Wrong.

The first road we tried to take was in bad shape and we were finally stopped by water across the road. We turned around and went futher south until we came to Clark Bridge Rd. This road turned out to be slightlty better and we made it over to Clear Lk by 3:00pm. This was only an hour later than planned. We parked the car by the office and off we went. Weather was perfect 55 deg. and partly sunny. time 3:15 We hiked at a good pace and arrived at Big Tomahawk lk.flooding by 6:00 pm. and 9miles. Next we were to hike to Shoepac lk. where we'd meet the others arriving later that evening.

We arrived at what we thought was Shoepac Lk.SFCG time 6:45pm We found a nice site and set up our tents, then had dinner. Now, all we had to do is wait for the others to arrive, and wait and wait? Well, We got a little confused and didn't double check the map and ended up camping at Tomahawk lk. camp ground which is only 1 mile from Shoepac lk. SFCG So, We never met with the others Fri. night as planned? Days mileage 11

Saturday, morning I awoke at 6:00am but didn't crawl out till 8:00. There was a light dusting of snow. On the way out of the C.G. is when we discovered we'd camped in the wrong spot. We then high tailed it over to Shoepac lk. Arrived at 9:30am When we arrived at Shoepac lk., a quick check revealed no one was there. So, we decided to wait an hour, but left after a 1/2 hr. About a 1/2 mile road walk we came to the boat launch and Toolman's Jeep!! I left a note,telling them of our plans, then down the trail we went. After a while on the trail we noticed tracks ahead of us, we figured it had to be them hiking just ahead of us!

We crossed M-33 and then Canada creek and still no sign of them. Finally, at the Black river bridge, we caught up with them. We exchanged greetings and talked for maybe a 1/2 hr. Too our disappointment we learned they would not be continuing on with us and finishing the hike. Craig, had some nasty blister's on both heals and didn't want to continue. Time was approx. 2:30-3:00pm. Weather/cloudy 38deg. with periods of freezing rain. So, onward the two of us went. The plan was to camp in the Duby lk.area,which was still 6 miles distant. Finally,around 6:00pm we came to Milligan creek, where we got water from.

Next, we hiked approx. a 1/2 mile past Duby lk. spur junction and set up camp. Days mileage 15 We were so tired, I don't think we said three words to each other, we just set up our tents and hit the sack. time approx. 7:30pm About 8:00 pm it started to snow and didn't stop until 4:00am. Sunday morning. I had to get up around 2:00am and go nock the snow off the lower walls, as the snow was pileing up on top of my tent, causing the walls to come inward.

Sunday: Mfog woke at 6:00am and built a fire, then rousted me. Total accum. 4-5inches. We hit the trail by 7:00am with me breaking trail the entire way. The trail had many small blow downs and a lot of water too. Weather/ periods of snow/30 deg. The days hike was tough for me, my feet and hands were soacked and my calfs hurt as well. The last 4 miles was a sheer test of will for me. We arrived at Pine Grove SFCG and the Explorer by 12:30pm. Days mileage 11 All the roads leading back to Clear lk.and my car were snow covered, muddy and had many blown down trees partly blocking the roads. At one point I had to get out and break away branches to clear the way through! Finally, we arrived at Clear lk S.P. time approx. 1:45-2:00 pm This was a great trip, Altough a bit exhausting for me. My only regret's are not being at Shoepac lk., Friday night to meet the guys and not completing the hike together with them.

The First Day

I wake up at 6:00. Late. I should have been on the road by then. At 6:30 I throw everything into my trunk and head off to meet Andy. The weather is shit - rainy, gloomy, early. I get to Indy by 8:30. Andy is still sleeping and answers the door, he actually won't wake up for another 2 hours or so. We drive south. Me in the Miata, He in the Nissan. We find Delany Park without any problems. We pass the types of places that let you know that you are in America. A Jellystone campground with Full-size Yogi, a stand selling pure honey, and a museum to archaic gas station signs. As we are trying to find the trailhead, and the nearest parking lot, I start to head down a single wide gravel road. After about 100 feet, the road curves and I realize that the road ahead is flooded. We negotiate back up the road, reversed - praying that the cars don't get stuck. I drop my car off, make sure that all valuables are in the trunk, and throw my pack into the Nissan.

Andy realizes he doesn't have an atlas in his car so we turn a 25 minute drive into an hour because we have to backtrack to get to the right highway. At Sellersburg, we stop at BK to have my last real meal for a couple days. (This turns out to be false) After a few wrong turns and pleasant directions from a gruff old man, we find the Knobstone trailhead. Andy remarks that it is going to feel weird leaving me out in the middle of Southern Indiana. I say that it will be like college. He plays along and says that he will sob on the way home. 12:45 p.m. April 2, 2005. Mile 0 and the long walk back to my car begins.

The trail is amazing but a little muddy at first. Almost impassable without getting stuck at first. Near Bowery Creek I meet a man carrying a large stick. We are both surprised at the other's presence. He says, "Pretty quiet today except the wind." I agree and we part. I notice as I walk, literally, hundreds of fallen trees. The ranger's have done a great job at cutting the logs so that the path remains unobstructed. I rest at Bartle Knob Run, fill my water, and force myself to eat. The weather by now is brisk but sunny. The water in the creek is ice cold. The wind is so strong that it sounds like jets in the sky overhead.

As I'm ascending Round Knob I see a burst of white and find that I'm looking straight at a huge deer. Even though I'm staring directly at it, it blends in so well that I begin to think that I'm imagining it. Just as quickly at it arrived, it turned and ran. At mile 8, I realize I haven't seen a marker in the a while. In fact, I can't find one anywhere, ahead or behind. I'm lost. Initial fear sets in for a minute but it's only 5:00 and I have plenty of light left to recover my senses and the path. I soon realize that I was on an ATV trail and didn't make a sharp left to stay on the KT. I hike for a few more miles and then set up camp. As I take a picture of my campsite, the batteries in my camera die. How I have useless extra weight to carry.

I am completely alone but I can still hear the sounds of real planes, animals, and gunshots. I figure that they are illegal hunters starting early on the wild turkey. I fall asleep quickly.