LBL, Canal Loop Trail Report

“3 - 9 & 10 - 2002
I headed out for another fun filled, action packed walk at Land Between the Lakes......again. Before hitting the Trail I went to Paducah, Kentucky to meet Carbiner to donate some gear. She helps teach rock climbing & backpacking to kids at the YMCA, so yall give some stuff to. Drop by and see her where she works. Go I-24 to Paducah Ky and get off at exit 4. go about 3/4 mile down and look for Hoopers Outdoors (GEAR STORE) on the right. Ask for Paula and tell her WD sent ya. She's pretty cool and looks foward to hooking up with TTers on future trips.

Now, on to the walk.
I hit the Canal Loop Trail about 3:30 p.m. and went clock wise from the Welcome Station. Because my ankle had swollen I planned to go easy and not walk "Dude Speed". Well, That idea got tossed as soon as I started. I did 9 miles in 2 1/2 hours. I completed the one side of the loop back in January so when I got to that part I zig-zagged the cutoff trails untill dark. I made camp (actually I tossed my bivy out and got in) on a nice overlook above Lake Barkley. BPBaby had told me about it. It was a great spot for laying back watching stars. Saw some shooting stars. For supper I ate MRE's that Super Troll gave me. Cheese Tortalini Rocks! About 2:00 am the forest lit up. I thought someone was outside the bivy with a flashlight. Turns out it was a barge on the lake. It had a Mega spot light showing where the bank was so it wouldn't crash. Just so happenes it was pointed straight at me. It was pretty fun watching them steer that big S.O.B. around the lake.
The next morning I got up and headed out. Got down the trail and found a nice spot lakeside and ate a MRE brownie and gulped water for breakfast. I got on further and decided I'd go off trail and walk the lake shore a while. There was one place at the bottom of a bluff where someone pushed a car over the edge. Very cool. You'll see the pictures later. Clawed up the bank and got back on the trail. Followed it back to the truck.
I recon it was only about 14 miles but very enjoyable. Temp at night was about 30 degrees and a nice breeze comming off the lake. Pack was very light. Started out at only 18 pounds.
Pictures may be later this week.”

“I'll turn in the pictures from this trip tommorrow.”

“Cool trip report! It sounds like you had a great time and had a few memoriable moments... and isn't that what it is all about?

Sparky”

“I can see you had a good weekend also.

8)”

“Thanks yall.”