KNobstone Trail through Hike

March is the month I will be traveling to the Deam Lake, at mile marker 0.
My plan is to hike the KT to marker 46 over the next 4 days. If anyone would like to go...here are a few rules.

I'm old and over weight, so trekking 20 miles a day is out. I am slow and plan on doing anywhere from 9 to 12 miles a day. The plan is to hike hard in the morning, stop of a light lunch,and mosey in the afternoon until we get tired, or make our stopping point.
At this point there are no plans on cacheing food or water, water should be plentyful at that time of year. My plan is to be dropped off on a wednesday evening, sleep close to the trail head, and start on thursday. I ( we ) will be picked up on Sunday at Marker 46 ( spurgeon Hollow ) in the afternoon.
PM me if anyone is interested.

Jerry

I would be more interested if it started on a Sunday and ended on a Wednesday or Thursday. I'm in the restaurant business and can't get away on most weekends. I know thats backwards of most group trips though.

Are you aware of the current conditions? I believe there are still closures from the tornados that went through. When I checked last week I believe it was expected to be closed until fall, but I no longer see a date. Don't know if that is good or bad...

http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4224.htm

I would love to do this some time...

THank you I was not aware of the current conditions.

Also, Nothing is not etched in stone. I can certinly start on a SUnday night and go to Wednesday or THursday....

Jerry

Last info I had and it's been a while, placed Pixley Knob Rd as a cut off going south.

I was down there yesterday and should have checked again. Sorry about that. But it was a quick in and out to clean up and move out. BIL and I have been hunting the Pigeon Roost Blockhouse farm, east of Henryville, for the last month.

Being that close to the KT has almost been killing me, but the freezer is full of venison. Had plenty of chances to work on my set=up. Did 27F one night with a pad and more Insulation than I'm probably willing to carry, but really hammered home my wants and needs for lighter and better.

Good luck and I'll keep an eye on this one. I never really know. :unsure:

Keep me in the loop on this, Jerry. If things aren't too crazy and I'm healthy I may be interested.

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Originally Posted by Jerry ( the Hiker )

THank you I was not aware of the current conditions.

Also, Nothing is not etched in stone. I can certinly start on a SUnday night and go to Wednesday or THursday....

Jerry

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That would be great. Sounds like it would be a good pace for me also. I'm not ready for any 20 mile hikes.

I'll be unavailable the first week in March though.

Few tips from a nobody like myself.
The miles are hard in the south portion. The first 17 could easily be split into two days. The next few sections north of that arent bad at all and no EASY but easier compared to the south.

The water is hit and miss, but early spring at least if it has rained a few should be good. Try to use a carbon filter, the particulates can be high with this type of RUN off water.

Went from Oxley to Delany in the fall and all I have to say is TICKS TICKS TICKS.. found 5 or 6 on us and we hit a patch of nymphs (turkey mites) belive you me they are ticks no mites. Our dog suffered through it even with medicine and had HUNDREDS on him. vet trips, meds and all. Permitherin your clothing, it will help. We had them on us, but they didnt attach.

Oxley to Delaney is thick with brush, we had to bushwack some of it. Can be done but not easy by far.. Enjoy your trip, just take precaution. The trail seems easy enough but it can get you..

Pak Man just said what I was about to say... I'm no KT expert, but have been on most sections enough to know these are the most challenging miles in Indiana. I would only take on the KT if I was in good hiking condition. That said, it's certainly doable. I'll keep an eye and see if the schedule permits...

I am interested, but will have to how the schedule works out.

You might be interested in this knobstone trip in May:
http://www.meetup.com/OhioValleyBack...ents/98043012/

I am interested but certainly need to get the legs and lungs in shape. Did it two years ago in 31/2 days but really kicked my butt. 20,000 feet of elevation change in 45 miles is certainly a challenge. Please keep me posted and I will follow this thread for more news

Unfortunately it's pretty decimated from the storm damage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5xRrLUQsxA

Looks like it would be difficult to find any trees to hang from. Has anyone seen how it looks now?

Still working on the details, but here is the long and short of it.
Marker 1 through 5 is open, 5 through 9 is closed...so I will be starting at 9 and working north. My goal is to do 8 to12 miles a day. I'm looking to start at the end of March. Dates are not etched yet. Spurgeon hollow is the destination..
More to follow.

Jerry

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Originally Posted by motocory

Unfortunately it's pretty decimated from the storm damage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5xRrLUQsxA

Looks like it would be difficult to find any trees to hang from. Has anyone seen how it looks now?

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That is a crying shame that the Knobstone is decimated like that. Just wait a couple of three years when the briars and undergrowth takes over and it won't be fit to hike for the bugs, ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes take over from the growth not to mention the fact you won't get much breeze from all that growth blocking it. I wonder how the misiquel water spots were nailed as well? It will be years before it looks good again in that area. Good luck Jerry on your hike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by motocory

Unfortunately it's pretty decimated from the storm damage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5xRrLUQsxA

Looks like it would be difficult to find any trees to hang from. Has anyone seen how it looks now?

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Very Sad. Hope it rebounds.

Let us know when you narrow down the dates. I have been itching to try out my new pack and get into the woods.

OK here is the dates, these dates are etched in stone....

I will be leaving from Mile Marker 9 traveling North on March 25th. Sometime around 3:00 pm. My goal is to reach Mile Marker 43 or Spurgeon Hollow sometime on Wednesday.
I just found out last night that marker 1 through 9 is tattered, torn, and being logged, and not very good to hike on. so MM 9 is where I will start.
My goal is to make it to marker 12 or 13 before dark and set up camp there.
IF you are interested in going, contact me here, or in a PM. Keep in mind I have a friend that will be hiking with me, its his first hike, so fast pace hiking is out of the question. we plan on doing 10-12 miles a day.

Can't do it during the week. Good luck, Jerry! :)

Are you planning to cache water? I've heard it can be pretty scarce down there, even in the spring.

Creeks are flowing pretty well here, do there shouldnt be a problem..:eek:

I plan on taking a lot of pictures, and video on the trip.

Jerry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jerry ( the Hiker )

OK here is the dates, these dates are etched in stone....

I will be leaving from Mile Marker 9 traveling North on March 25th. Sometime around 3:00 pm. My goal is to reach Mile Marker 43 or Spurgeon Hollow sometime on Wednesday.
I just found out last night that marker 1 through 9 is tattered, torn, and being logged, and not very good to hike on. so MM 9 is where I will start.
My goal is to make it to marker 12 or 13 before dark and set up camp there.
IF you are interested in going, contact me here, or in a PM. Keep in mind I have a friend that will be hiking with me, its his first hike, so fast pace hiking is out of the question. we plan on doing 10-12 miles a day.

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Hey Jerry I am still working toward some time on the KT. You stated you are planning to start on Monday march 25th, is this correct?

Sunday...24th. Gonna be at the trail head around 3 pm
Hope to see you there.