MO > Irish Wilderness hang - September 18-20

[Disco]

We're getting this one on the calendar early! Hopefully we'll see a good turnout.

3-day hike in the Irish Wilderness. Friday, September 18th through Sunday the 20th.

Here's info on the wilderness area: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mt...telprdb5123168

More info to come as this gets closer, and I'll probably defer to Gideon for the details since he has been before.

Hope to see you all there!

Disco

[Macpaks]

Sounds like a great time! I have a lot of things going on this year, so I will have to wait and see, but I hope to make this one.

[Skygzr]

ok got it down

[Owl]

I'm going to put it on my calendar as well...I've wanted to come check this particular area out!

[Gideon]

On this one, you'd want to consider brining an ultralight rod/reel to fish. Day two we're along the 11 point river. I've never fished that stretch but it's reported to have smallmouth, perhaps even trout.

There are black bear in that area so hanging food is necessary.
Gideon

[MoHiker79]

Definitely hope to make this one, hard for me to say for sure this far out, but it shouldn't be a problem!

[Gideon]

The trail is "Whites Creek". I'd recommend we hike it counterclockwise, starting at Camp 5 Pond trailhead. There's a pond at the start, a small stock pond 1/2 way through day one and we can camp by the river or a spring night one. Day two we can make a short distance hike along the river and there would be time for a bit of fishing for those who wanted. Day three there's some water at the beginning but most of the day it's dry until get back to the trail head.

The loop is right at 19.6 miles; my recommendation is to hike in and camp on the river, spend one day on the river and exploring that area, and then spend day three hiking out.
I'll be there unless something out of my control comes up. I hiked this once; it's one of my favorite hikes of all time although its still your basic Missouri woods so don't expect more. I saw clear bear sign during my hike, especially down by the river. I lived in Northern Maine for almost 5 years and saw bear and their signs so I'm sure of what I saw in the Irish Wilderness. Also saw a lot of deer sign along the river.

Here are some detailed maps:
http://www.motrailblazing.com/MTB/SE...itesCreek.html

This is an excellent map that covers the entire loop on one map:

http://www.ouachitamaps.com/picture_...Map%20Full.jpg

It's a good deal of the standard Missouri woods type hiking but there are some nice features along one of the creeks, the river is really nice and there are some nice bluffs and steep areas. The area along the river wasn't blazed very well when I was there a few years ago; I lost the trail frequently because it's not heavily traveled and there were a ton of blown leaves obscuring the trail.

Gideon

[Owl]

On this one, you'd want to consider brining an ultralight rod/reel to fish. Day two we're along the 11 point river. I've never fished that stretch but it's reported to have smallmouth, perhaps even trout.

There are black bear in that area so hanging food is necessary.
Gideon

I've got a Swede Stainless Stik that I take camping/backpacking occcasionally that might come along. Otherwise, might have to resort to bringing along my large prescription bottle fishing kit. Used to teach all kinds of interesting things when I was in the military...using a soda bottle or can as a rod/reel works real well too.

Hoping Weasel and I can make this one...would be fun.

[DiyGuy83]

I put this in my phone for a reminder. I will do my best to make it out.

[Disco]

Thanks for all the info, Gideon!