Murder on the Black Creek Trail, Ms

“I just learned from the local news that a Rainbow Person was murdered in the DeSoto National Forrest here in MS. A couple of locals entered the Rainbow camp and beat one of the members to death.

This occurred on the night of the 19th. I had set up camp about two miles south of their camp on the Black Creek Trail. I passed through their camp early the next morning.

When I hike in South MS I take more precautions than anywhere else I have hiked. There are some people in this area that are very weird, mean and dangerous. Some family trees don't have a whole lot of limbs.”

“Man, that is such a rare occurance. How far were they from the road? Was it accessible by ATV? I tend to avoid those types of areas for that very reason. Most of my backpacking is done in locales where the only way to possibly get there is either by foot, pack animal or helicopter.”

“Wow. I hiked that trail this past Saturday the 24th. Surprised I didn't see any residual police activity or taped off areas.”

“It happened just north of the Janis Landing. The area north of Janis is not in the Wilderness area.

The Rainbow Camp is just off a forest service road. When I came through the next morning I didn't know anything had happened either. The camp had no activity. Prolly because the member died a couple days later.”

“Roseymonster, you are right about camping away from access points. That's the way I try to plan my camps. These type people won't hike in to get at you. They would rather drive their trucks up to an easy camp.

Steve Hiker, what part did you hike? Weather was tough wasn't it.”

“My guess...... Col. bacpac in the vestibule with some nylon parachute cord.”

“Not sure exactly where we were. Started at the trailhead parking area that has the Forest Service signs and hiked in several miles. Didn't pass any unusual landmarks.”

“Was your starting point close to Hwy 49? If so you were about 15 miles or so from their camp.”

“Dunno. Only know that the trail crossed the highway (don't remember the number) and we were on the side where the trail was better marked. The trail on the other side crossed a bunch of confusing rabbit trails with all trails blazed the same.

Why do they do that -- blaze all crisscrossing trails the same? Centavo thought that was done by locals to get you lost!”

“It prolly is mismarked by locals. I had a time sorting things out. Caused me to have to do alot of back tracking.”

“What is a "Rainbow Person?" (I guess my "city folk" is showing?)”

“a... ummm.... neo-hippie?

kinda.”

“I think bacpac used to be a member of the Rainbow Family.

That was before the mule kicked him in the head and he turned into a mad dog conservative.”

“We hiked from where the trail crossed 29 just out of Wiggins to the East about 2/3 miles South of Janis landing and about 10 miles from the Rainbow campground I've stayed at that camp an been nervous about locals driving through late at night it's a really pretty spot though Leatherneck.. tough weather? just a 3hr driving rain an a little lightning LOL!! Steve made fun of my fear of lightning, isnt that mean?”

“OK you guys hiked south into the Wilderness area, right? That is by far the best of the Trail. I always try to pick a camp spot where there is no easy access and well off the trail.

You guys were hard core to hike in the weather we had that Saturday!”

“I just checked out a Rainbow Family webpage. They look like a bunch of through-hikers!
Thanks for the enlightenment. Are they borne of the Rainbow Bridge?”

“Don't know flyguy6x. These Rainbow people, I can assure you, are not on-line!!LOL”

“Anyone find the link to the story yet?”

“Leatherneck, you live in the area obviously? we should meet up an hike”

“Centavo, I want to make a trip to SW MS/Black Creek or Louisiana before the end of March. Is there anything planned during this time in your area?”

“Fly Guys and Gals:

Check out the "rainbow Family Gathering thread"

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread.php?id=9191&age=9999”

“Sounds good to me Centavo. I'm about 45 min north of the Black Creek Trail, in Ellisville, MS.”

“Well,I'm about 1hr south of there so we could just meet in the middle. Email me when would be a good time for you. Chili I dont have anything planned but am alway's up for something Black Creek trail would be good an we might could get stevehiker an leatherneck too.”

“Centavo,
I Need your e-mail addy.”

“Most people would consider one less rainbow idiot a good thing.”

“Centavo,
You have an e-mail coming.”