Starry Starry Snowshoe Night!

“will do firebug”

“OK, so I hiked these trails with a friend. We wore snowshoes although strictly speaking I could have easily hiked them without them. They are nice trails. Some of the segments lack good markings but I found my way about easily. It could be tricky on a few of the segments in the dark. Having been there once before I feel very confident I wouldn't get turned about even in the dark. There was good snow when I was there but with the weather tonight it's anyones guess if there will be snow on the 7th. I couldn't see the bottom of the trail so I can't tell you what it would be like without snow (rocks, mud, ???). My bet is rocky and muddy. There are some really nice segments, a lake, and a swamp but not a lot of hills. I am betting these trails see a lot of bike travel during the season and so are hard to hike. This may be the best time to hike on them.

The trail is marked with blazes but also little numbers tacked to trees that match numbers on the map they hand out. Many numbers never show up so you can't depend on them for navigation. Still, it's nice to easily find your position on the map. There are benches in reasonable places. The intersections of significance were marked with maps and a bolt marker stuck in the map to mark "you are here".

Anyway, I vote for this location. I would be generally pleased to revisit the trails in any condition.

There was evidince of skis when I was there. It did look like a challenging ski route, esp the blue route.”

“ISolo hiked four plus hours into our Kettle Morraine campsite after sunset and described it as his Stevie Wonder hike. All he could see was the few feet of trail in his headlamp. If there is not a lot of thick cloud cover, our hike shold be better. The phase of the Moon on 7 January is waxing gibbous with 60% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated. Moonrise 11:41 a.m. Moonset 12:46 a.m. 1-8-06.”

“I have hiked the trails and found them wide and well marked”

“I'll be honest with the group. If there is no snow/snowshoeing I'll be a no-show.”

“All the snow is melted here in Woodstock :-(
I'm afraid at this point it looks more like a hike. Should we move it to the afternoon??”

“Backpacking Princess and I will show for a hike either in the afternoon or evening.”

“If it turns into a hike with no snow I would show up for a day hike. I just am not into the whole hiking at night thing. The snowshoe element sort of drew me into the original plan (which was and remains a most excellent idea dhutch1).

Pray for snow!”

“I will show up day or night also. I agree, the snow really adds to the night time hiking.

let it snow, let it snow”

“I guess a day hike would be better for me, but I can still do the night thing. Can’t say I would be real excited about hiking in the mud at night though! Maybe it will snow!! I think they’re calling for some on Friday PM, who knows. I am just into meeting everybody no matter what and I have not been to the Kettle Moraine yet so I am looking forward to that. I already got permission to go, So I am going!!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hmmm... Dhutch, Thinkbubelz & I may have to play it by ear... I need to get some work done on my car before it hits the warranty mileage.... Plus, no snow might not be as fun..... Can I get back to you towards the end of the week?”

“Yeah Jimmy San it was a good idea while the snow lasted. :-)

I looked at the weather forecast and there is nothing that indicates a snow significant enough to ske or snowshoe for sure. Looks like "mostly cloudy" and about 31 degrees in WI on Saturday. The website states the Orange (5.3 mi), Green (6.8 mi) and Blue (10.0 mi) are all hilly.

Therefore, a dayhike - Kettle Moraine, John Muir trail. 1 pm Saturday Jan 7th. I'll change the trip details - again. I'm thinking the 10 mile blue loop with option for other loops depending on time an interest.

The chili will still be in the crockpot at my house for afterwards.”

“Hey Dhutch,

I think we're going to have to pass this time around... :-(

I was looking forward to snowshoeing (who'd have thunk that there would be snow at Thanksgiving and "nearly spring weather" in January?) Very odd.... A tad too gray in the sky and wet for me--I don't think I'd enjoy it--my feet are very sensitive to cold and damp, and I would not be good company :-(

I'd be up for snowshoeing if you plan something for later in January or early February! :-)

Keep us informed and in mind... one of these days, Thinkbubelz and I will go to another TT hike...but, we hope to go to one with nicer weather!!”

“It's snowing here this morning but I am certain it's just a tease. I'll probably come to the hike regardless of the weather. I play hard to get but even a bad day outside is better than most good days inside!”

“Sorry, but this won't work for me either if it has turned into a day (afternoon) hike that day. I'll keep my eyes out for that moonlight hike we were all hoping for when this idea sprung up.”

“Sorry to hear that hubcap, pink. We'll miss you.

If Mother Nature would have just cooperated!

Now how much chili should I make?”

“Hey Dhutch!!
I am going to meet you guys at the trail head at 1:00 PM.(Blue Loop)? I guess I will probaly head back to Streamwood after the hike, that way I won't get into trouble, lol
See ya later.
Randall”

“Backpacking Princess and I will stop by for chili.”

“I would like to join the group for chili as well. It's 1pm at the trailhead? Bring a checkbook or cash. There is self-registration at the parking lot.”

“Can't wait to get outside tomorrow!!!”

“See you tomorrow.

I would assume Spalpeen and I would not be coming over for chili since we are coming from Milwaukee.

Woodstock is slightly out of the way - although I am still hoping to get the job at Cardinal Health in Woodstock.

looking forward to the hike”

“dhutch1: You could bring the chili in an insulated container. There is a nice shelter there with tables and all. Just a thought. We might be eating in the dark however. Perhaps we could bring a lantern. That might be kind of cool.”

“I could bring my gas stove and we could reheat it as well if it got cold.”

“Looking forward to the hike”

“Hey we shall see you all in a few hours,no better way to spend a grey day than hiking with friends old and new”

“See you all in a bit!

Jimmysan. I don't have an insulated conainer that big and have already put the chili in the crockpot. It's quite a large batch and I'm not sure a regular size gas stove would do the trick. Great idea though. I'd love a pot luck hike where everyone brings something to heat up for afterwards. Maybe we could make it a monthly dayhike event?

I'll check my e-mail before leaving in case anyone needs directions to or from.

D”

“I will bring My stove,cook kit and fuel and some cocoa mix in case anyone wants a hot drink afterwards”

“Sounds great. See you all in a few hours.”

“RATS! somehow I missed this thread..I gotta look at the trips page more often...I had no plans, whatsoever, set up for this week-end...gr-r-r-r...”

“mataharihiker - Come on out and play anyway!!”

“This was a great day-hike, dhutch1. Thank you for being such a great trip coordiator and for the excellent chili, beer, wine... and for me coffee. I really apprecite your hospitality. This was a great day of hiking. I'll leave the trip report to someone else but this was for sure a trip where the people made it worthwhile.”

“I want to thank dhutch for a great trip it was great meating all, lets make sure we hike again,peace griz”

“Thanks dhutch1 for all your planning, the hike, and some great chili and wine at your house afterwards. Sorry I ate three bowls of the chili. The heat was just right, and the chipolte flavor was too much to resist.”

“You are very welcome to 3 bowls of chili at my house any time prosecutor. The company was wonderful. It was so nice to finally meet your wife.

Well there were no stars and no snowshoes. But a really nice bunch of folks and a 35 degree January day in Wisconsin.

It was my first foray into Kettle Moraine State Park and I was impressed. We gathered at 1pm at the John Muir trailhead. Let me test my very poor memory for names: spalpeen, Randall and firebug helped me to understand the confusing permit system and we awaited the arrival of Jimmy San, prosecutor, backpacking princess and Bessie Lou. All arrived and very shortly afterwards started our dayhike. I'm so horrible with names I hope I didn't mess that up, please forgive if I confused anyone.

The weather was grey but the trail in good shape. Some lingering snow clung in spots but overall it was fast going. After a short run up and back to get the warmth flowing I returned to the group and we all settled in to a rythm moved quickly to the first intersection about 2 1/2 miles in. Time was checked and we proceeded on the blue trail with the intention of hiking the full loop of 10 miles. Afer another 2 miles, a photo and Craisin break at the next trail crossing we determined that to go on would get us back to the cars after dark. Since everyone was looking forward to a hot drink we took the cutoff and hightailed it back where Randall fired up his whisperlite. Jimmy San had headed off to run the remaining blue loop and made good time on the 5+ miles rejoining the group about 15 minutes after the first batch of boiling water. Cocoa and tea all 'round.

The group said farewell, we'll do this again. Potluck remember? Jimmysan, Prosecutor and princess followed me back to Woodstock where the crockpot had been melding the flavors of a new chili recipe all afternoon. Perfect for an after hike meal even on what could be considered a balmy January day.

What a great friendly and interesting group! I'll look forward to hiking with all of you again soon.”

“I don't think you messed the names up as I've met everyone named except Randall..glad you had a good day...I just didn't have the energy or finances to join you guys...they'll be other trips...if Pros liked the chili, it probabably would've been too spicy for me...and I so used to love hot, spicy food...still do, actually..just my throat that can't handle it...sigh...this grey weather is taking me down...”

“Thanks to Dhutch. I had a good time and it was nice to meet everyone. Total mileage was 5.5 according to my GPS. I have posted some pics on the trip page if you want to check them out.
See ya later.
Randall”

“She left off the part where I drank too much wine with the chili and couldn't drive home. Dhutch1 put up with me (I am a talkative drunk) and made me a pot of coffee. Jimmy san is a lightweight drinker. One beer and two glasses of wine and it's all over... :)”

“Matahari - prosecutor added onions and tabasco sauce to his chili. I'm not much for hot food and this was as spicy as I'd want it, but tasty.

Thanks for posting pictures Randall.

Jimmy san - I couldn't tell you'd had a bit too much wine. Enjoyed the conversation. To me it just appeared that coming in out of the cold had given you the winter sleepies. Next time we'll have to find a way to involve more of your family.

So who's planning the February pot luck hike?”

“Sounds like it was a nice hike! Sorry we missed it!! Thinkbubelz & I spent most of Yesterday & Today shopping for a new Treadmill... We actually got some sun today, (Sunday), which was really nice!”

“Hey, I finally got signed up here! Great hike, good company!”

“Welcome to the asylum Bessie Lou. It was good to meet you Saturday.”

“Welcome to the asylum Bessie Lou. It was good to meet you Saturday.”

“Welcome to the asylum Bessie Lou. It was good to meet you Saturday.”

“Woops :-)”

“I guess Dhutch wants to make sure ya see it!!!!!LOL
Hey Bessie
Campmor.com, Has those sleeping pads for $39.00!!!! Wow, Here the link.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=1724373
last edited: 1/09/06 1:22:14 PM”

“Naw.....trailtalk just got slow and I have no patience. I pushed the button a couple of times :-S”

“Had a great time - glad to meet all of you and looking forward to the next hike (and the potluck).”

“The northern part of that trail was a GREAT run. We should plan a runners day. The north side of the trail is hilly and the south side of the trail is fairly flat. The distances are equal, however. We could break into two groups, one that wanted hills and one that didn't. Both run 5 miles. Then meet back at the trail head. I can't do it for a two weeks however because of travel contstraints. Perhaps we'll have snow then?”