Shawnee Bat'l Trip Report

“Left Friday morning before traffic got bad and hit Shawnee Nationl Forest (SNF) before 3 PM. Selected a camp site at Garden of the Gods and set up tent.

That afternoon, a drove east and went to a trailhead just north and east of Trigg Tower. Hiked in about 3.5 miles to Bay Lake. Very nice trail although some sections are loose gravel and hard on 57 y/o ankles. Just east of the culvert that goes under the IC RR tracks, I saw a 4 foot long snake skin. I suspect from a Copperhead. Some folks I saw on the trail said they saw the actual snake, but I did not see or hear it. Looks like he stopped on the trail to have a smoke and shed his skin and then moved on.

Back at camp, I made Honey Lime Chicken (yummy). It was so good I would buy it to prepare at home. Hmmmm, would I have to eat it out in the back yard?

Friday night was cool and pleasant. Perfect for sleeping outside. There were no bugs so I took my pad and bag and slept in the open.

Saturday, up at daybreak and cooked breakfast. You know, you gotta read the food bags before you buy them. I was so careful to read the ingrediants to make sure that there was no wheat or wheat flour in the ones I picked up that I forgot to look at directions. I boiled water then read directions that said to add cold water and mix let stand for 5 min and then cook in lightly greased pan. Well I never buy anything you can't just add boiling water to and eat from the pouch AND I ahad already boiled the water. So I just added boiling water and let it stand for 5 minutes and then ate some very tasty, bit somewhat liquid eggs. Tasted good and the consistency was not all that bad.

The of to the Panther Den area and hiked in about 4-5 miles. Made lunch at the turnaround point. Panther Den is a beautiful area. On some parts of the trail you can see a pond or lake south of the trail about 200 yards and the sun off the water is very cool. Hiked back to the car and then drove back to the camp site. Dinner at the camp site (Mexican style Chicken and rice with salsa) and then read some Tony Hillerman (Coyote Waits) until it was too dark to read. Then into the tent and to sleep at sundown.

Sunday, bacon and eggs at sunrise. I got up when it was dark. Cooked them in the bag and then took the bag and a spoon over to Camel Rock. Sat on the Camel's head and ate while watching the sun come up. What a gorgeous view.

Packed up the car and drove west to another area (the name escapes me at the moment I can add a note later.) And hiked in an unknown distance until I got tired around 11 AM. Cooked and ate lunch and hiked back out. this section was less impressive than some others, but a nice walk in the woods just the same.

The weather was perfect with the exception of a few rainy patches on the drive down. It was in the 80s during the day and I estimate high 50s at night. No bugs/skeeters at night, but alos did not see as may stars as I expected.

It would have been nice to have someone along to park a car at eaither end of a trail section and hike only one way, but when you can't find someone else with a schedule as flexible as mine, it was OK to go alone. (My bride of 25 years thinks that roughing it is checking into a Holiday Inn w/o a pool.)

See ya all soon I hope at Lunch in Chicago, You're invited.”

“Sounds like you had fun AJ. Let me know if you're heading that way again soon. I posted some free dates on the Shawnee thread.”

“Maybe we can hook up down there and do some sections of the River to River trail that I have not done yet.”

“Cool, I love the Shawnee area. :-)

Did ya know if you go far enough up one of the streams that go into Bell Smith Springs that you will come to slot canyon in stone? YES! And lots of swimming holes there, too.

I keep looking to connect Jackson Hollow (which is maybe where you were with the train tracks?? I haven't seen them, have just driven the road through there. Have been to Trigg Tower, though) with Bell Smith Springs.

At Garden of the Gods, if you park at the backpacker's lot on the way in, there's a trail that goes to a nice overlook with different crazy rocks.”

“oh yeah, me thinks you drove WEST on Friday. :-)

(said the gal who told all her canoe trip people to set their printers on "portrait" for the horizontal map. LMAO!!)”

“You are correct. I drove west.”

“Please be more specific. I want to go there next time.

Are they secluded enough to skinny dip w/o offending anyone?


By the way, under the heading of "You Always Forget Something"

I packed everything except shirts. Wore the same shirt for three days. Ugh.!!”

“You probably wouldn't go skinny dipping on the holes I'm thinking of. Usually a few people around.

Hey! Maybe I have a link to some photos...
go to this page of the album for some shots. This is a fun swimming hole. People climb up high and jump in.

http://community.webshots.com/album/185584640AGfbyG/1”