Two Lakes Loop Trip Report 2-8-03

“I showed up at the Indian Celina gatehouse at 8 a.m. to meet some guys from the Southern Indiana Hiking Club. This would be my first hike with these guys. Found out later there was a change in plans and nobody could make it. They had e-mailed, but my home e-mail is down.

When no one showed up, I thought why head back? So I went solo.

It was a balmy 9 degrees on Saturday morning when I left, about 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. Very powdery and sqeaked under foot. A good snow to walk on.

Hiked 8 miles on Saturday around south end of Lake Celina and Indian Lake, crossing the dams on both. I had planned to camp on the west shore of Indian Lake, but it was a little too windy there. I headed over the ridge on the north side and found a nice stand of pine.

I was in camp by 2:30, so I set up and took a nap. After my nap, I checked out the area then fixed some grub and settled in for the evening--journaling and some reading.

That night heard owls and coyotes. Wondered if the coyotes were hungry. I was glad I decided to hang my food the night before.

Breakfast of bagels and oatmeal and LARGE cup of hot coffee. A relaxing morning, but my previously frost bitten toes always get cold around camp. I guess I need to invest in some foot warmers and camp booties. Any recomendations?

A short six miles out on Sunday another beautiful sunny day. A little more snow melt today as it got up to around 40. Trail started to get soggy that afternoon. Out of the woods by 1 p.m.

This short 13-14 miles made me realize how out of shape I am. I 'm going to start scheduling more day trips to get back in shape.

Here's the link for photos:

http://community.webshots.com/user/indianajohn100

Someone could post a link if they'd like.”

“Thanks for the link bitpusher!”

“No problem, and great pics! The one of you is a little fuzzy though, hmm......”

“Cool pics, Indiana John. That looks like a great area.”

“Damn cheapo photo disks they give you with your film. They won't give you a high res disk cause they know you'll print them off at home instead of ordering.

The actual photo is very clear. Maybe I'll scan it in at work and post it.”

“Nice pics John! Thanks”

“Ok, I rescanned the photo of me at the trailhead and added it to the second group of photos. Thanks for all the compliments.”

“Nice Winter pictures IJ!”

“Nice pics dude I can't wait to go backpacking with ya!

8)”

“I did a solo trip there on my last birthday. There's actually some good bush-wackin' and good fishing too. The trail was well developed and maintained. Kind'a flat but nice(reminds me of my last girlfriend).
Those photos just forced me to put Two-Lakes/Winter on my hike list.
Indiana John; have you done much hiking in Hoosier NF? I've been kinda wondering about the shared horse/hiker trails like Blackwell. I'd imagine it's not an issue in the winter but otherwise I wonder if the equestrian traffic might be heavy.(?)”

“Yo Walken I go backpacking alot in Hoosier National Forest I think it would be great if you could come out with me.

8)”

“walkincrow, I've not hiked a lot of the shared horse trails, but I do know that they get a lot of traffic in the summer. Another one I'd like to hike is German Ridge, but it also has a lot of horse traffic in the summer.

You'll have to come up sometime, I could show you some cool places in Perry County.

Where are you located in Kentucky?”

“I posted a few times trying to find someone that had been there before goin' to Two Lakes. Ended up going because it looked good on the topo, but no more info.
Now you guys show up!!
LOL
Sounds like we've got a Hoosier group trip in germination here...
Indiana John; I'm in northern KY, about 20 minutes from Cincinnati.”

“Lets hike!!!!


8)”