Low Gap Trail

“This is a replacement thread for the original, as it does not show on TT. Hopefully this will bring some more interest to the trip. All are welcome, but be aware, it IS on a Mon - Tues.”

“I am a maybe, but I should be able to go. Looking forward to meeting some of the tt people, haven't been on a trip yet so I figured this would be a good one to join in on.”

“this is a great trip for first timers...i've hiked this trail several times...it's right in my back yard, ok, well about 30 miles away...i wish i could join you but i won't be able to use any vacation days with the baby coming and he is due 06/22 so an overnighter that close wouldn't be doable...depending on what time and where you start i may be able to join you at the start or end

meangreen, this is an easy trail to plan and follow...there is a ranger station just a little past the trail head were you can get maps...the mileage is 10 miles

did you end up going to the zoo sunday? i was there too w/ my wife and mom”

also something you might want to check out is the Tecumseh(sp) trail...it branches off from the low gap...if you take it out from were it branches off for about 2-4 miles there's a great area in a pine stand w/ creeks and some cool camp sites””

“SWEET! Thanks Thrifty I'll have to check that out. I sure did make it to the Zoo, and it was a great day for it too wasn't it? Me and the kiddies covered the whole durn place, Gardens and all. A little crowded though. We had 6.5 kids, and 2.5 adults (my friends boyfriend isn't quite all there ;-)LOL! )

That's the spirit Bessie Lou, glad to have you even if you do decide to kill it all in one day.

Mike, SC, Hope you both can make it That would be great.

Welcome INDIANANOMAD I have not been on a TT trip yet either That is why I picked this trail as my first. I look forward to seeing everyone in a couple months!”

“It was a great day for the zoo and my wife did great for being 7.5 months pregnant.

There's a small lake/pond maybe 3-4 miles from the juntion of The Tecumseh and Low Gap trails. I believe it's called Bear Lake, it's on the map. You can't camp there but it's a need spot to check out or a good spot for lunch. Also if anyone wants to fish you can do it there too.”

“I'll see what I can dig up, meangreen. I got a topo map of the park, but I haven't looked at it in detail yet.”

“Shew... She did do good Thrifty. Seriously, my hat is off to pregnant women. Can you imagine strapping a day pack to your belt buckle for 6 months. Wow. Just wow...

Thanks, and no rush Bessie lou. Did you get it at the trail head? Like I said before, I requested one from the IDNR, but I dont think they are too worried about getting that stuff mailed. I think I'll just pack the girls, and cruise down there one Sunday to check it all out so I have a better mental pic of the whole place anyhow. I wish IN had better maps on-line for some of these parks.

Hmmmm... fishing... I havent fished since...
that may just be worth walking an extra 8 miles. Anyone else on this trip like to throw a line out? It would make for a 12 mile day the first day though... pretty ambitious for my lazy a$$... I'll have to think on this one.”

“Hey meangreen, just curious: what are the ages of your daughters?”

“8, almost 5, and almost 3
Why?”

“Neat...like I said, just curious. Think you'll get them out on the trail someday?”

“unless you're just a mab nut like i am a topo is not necessary for this trail...i'm surprised you haven't received yours yet...i ordered a bunch of maps from them and got them in 2 or 3 days...maybe that's because none of them were topo”

“I have had all 3 day hiking last summer, and this spring, but the oldest is kinda whinnie about it. I have only talked them into camping out once, and that was just in a friends back yard. I'm still working on them though. The younger two LOVE playing out in the woods, but once big sister starts complaining, all three give up on me. They are getting better though...


Hey thrifty, did you order them off the DNR page, or one of those map making web sites? I was using the DNR page, and it is kinda confusing. I may have screwed it up. I'm thinking of dragging the girls down there in a couple weeks just so I'm familiar with the place. "this is a family outing, and you are gonna have fun weather you like it or not!" LOL!
Well gotta go. The little one is sick.”

“i filled this out and submitted it online

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/index.html?http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/stateforests/index.html&2

here's some info on topos...i think you have to call them

http://www.state.in.us/dnr/publications/mapsandmore.html

if it gets closer to your trip date and you still don't have one let me know and i can send you one
last edited: 5/04/06 11:22:15 AM”

“Thanks Thrifty. That is what i did before, but I did it again. Maybe I got it right this time. ;-)”

“Sorry, I am going to have to back out of this one. There is another trip to Deam the weekend before that will be better for me. I would love to make both, but can't do it with work. I was really looking forward to meeting some of the people that are going on this one too. Hopefully something else comes up soon that I can go on with all of you.”

“Sorry to hear it Willi4. Maybe another time. Enjoy the Beam. I mean Deam.”

“Any new info on upcoming trip?? looks like we have a few people down for it.”
INDIANANOMAD
6:24:56 AM
5/13/06
ignore this user

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“Not yet. I still have not recieved any maps from the state. What time works for all to meet at the TH? I know Bessie Lou, and Spirit are coming from a much greater distance than I, so what works well for everyone else? I can be there any time, as it is only about 2 hrs from me. This is no great distance, so I dont see a need to hit the trail too early. Is 10:00 or 11:00 ok? This would leave loads of time to mess around in camp, or what ever. There was mention of some fishing at bear lake also, anyone interested in this? I think it would be fun, but If I am the only one interested then I will scrap it. Either way, I don't care.”
meangreen
3:42:26 PM
5/18/06
ignore this user

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“just to clarify i think it's called bear POND not bear lake...i don't wanna go gettin anyone's hopes up for "catching the big one"...i have no idea what the fishing's like there
last edited: 5/18/06 4:16:37 PM”
thriftyhiker
4:15:19 PM
5/18/06
ignore this user

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“Ah, right on thrifty. phuk it. I'm not going that far out of the way and carrying all the extra gear to throw lures at frogs. Blue gill or crappie would be fine, but if that is all it is then never mind. Anyone else have any input on this? Where are you coming from IndianaNomad?”
meangreen
7:45:17 AM
5/19/06
ignore this user





Thought I would "catch up" the right thread. Sorry for having it so screwed up. This is where things stand so far...”

“i stand corrected:

Fishing

The 133-acre Yellowwood Lake offers excellent fishing; a valid Indiana fishing license is required. A boat launch is located at the south end of the lake; boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. Rowboat rental is available seasonally. Bear Lake and Crooked Creek Lake are also popular recreation and fishing areas on the forest property. Camping is not permitted at these two lakes, and swimming is not permitted at any lake.
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/index.html?http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/stateforests/index.html&2

the funny thing is i've been to this lake!!!...never listen to me, i usually don't know what i'm talking about”

“Hey if I dont post for a while dont freak out. The trip is still on. Work just blocked midwesthiker, so this one can't be far behind. Hopefully it is just for a short time. I will definately get one and get all the info out to everyone before trip time though. In the mean time my e-mail is meangreen3800@yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments, please feel free.”

“MG, my work started blocking midwest hiker a long time ago but i've never had a problem with this site...i think it because that site is registered or seen as a blog”

“Hey I finally got my map from the DNR. It's not a topo, and covers a huge area, but it will work. I still have not heard from anyone about times....? Does 1100 or 1200 sound good to all?”

“Hello everybody!!!
I have signed up, but only as a maybe at this point. I am gonna try and tag this trip on the back of the one in the Deem http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1003.php
As soon as I find out the meeting time, I will know for sure. Just in case, if I am not there at the prearranged time, go without me!!! I have done this trail before and am planning on branching off on the Tecumseh Trail and heading to Bear Lake as I have been told by many people that it is a good place to fish. As I remember that happens around mile 5 or so. Anyway, if you want a vote on the meeting time, I would vote for 11:00 AM or earlier.
See ya later.
Randall”

“Randall, welcome!
I was just fantasizing about ditching work, and tie'n the two together also. I know I can't do it though. Dhutch has signed up for it on MWH, and I don't look for spirit coyote to come, as I thought i just read that she is in CA. I think Bessie Lou, and Indiananomad are still in too. That would make 5 with you. 1100 works for me. What does everyone else think?”

“I,ll be there, baring something bad happening!! But just in case, if I'm late that means I'm not comming!!
See ya later!!
Randall”

“hey randall, are you the only one doing both trips?”

“Hey Thrifty,
As far as I know I am the only one, there are two girls comming down from up here and they are showing up on Monday, (Dhutch and Bessie lou) Seems like they could do both, unless of course they work weekends. I was gonna post something and see if they might want to try that!!Gald to hear things are going well with your wife and expextant baby!! I know how hard you both worked to make that happen!! So did you ever get "The Boys" a decent map...LOL, Might just do the trick next time..
See ya later.
Randall”

“SO SORRY , I have to cancel this time, I work in a small dept. and we had a guy quit with no notice(punk). No place I'd rather be. Maybe next time, everyone have fun”

“Yep, I work weekends, and I'm still in.”

“Sorry to hear it indiananomad. Then again, you may be fortunate, because we maybe getting wet. Hopefully you are at least getting OT for it.”

“Ok,
I will be there at 11:00 AM local time!! But just in case if I'm late. go without me!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Mostly sunny, and highs in the mid to upper 70's! WOO HOO!!!!


Hey, today is the last time I will be near a real computer before the trip, but I can get e-mail from my cell, so if anyone needs me use the yahoo address above. I'm looking forward to seeing you all Monday at 1100. Hope the weather holds!”

“BTW I almost forgot, I drive a white '03 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4 door. Just incase you have trouble finding me look for my grocery getter.

Dhutch, you still in? We haven't actually heard from you.”

“I'd bother posting a trip report if there were anything to report, but there isn't. Ask Randall, he is the only one who came close to doing the trip.
BTW, Randall did you get your map back? Thanks anyway. I did get out to the rock shelter. It was cool, then I went home.
Sorry again BessieLou. See you in August.”

“dude, you bailed on your own trip?

bad juju (i should know)”

“Nah I was there. Randall kinda did his own thing, and that just left me and BessieLou, so she called it a day, and I hiked about 3 miles, and I'm sick of solo hiking, so I headed home too.”

“too bad you couldnt make it on the weekend we had a blast”

“I'm kickin around trying to trade some days w a co-worker, and retry this trip as a Sat - Sun deal. Would you be interested?”

“if im around. unfortuneately, doesnt look like im going to be around much this summer. put it on the board and see who signs up. but dont take them seriously unless they actually contact you or post to the thread about it”

“Ya, found that out...
We'll see.”

“thats one of my pet peeves. ppl who sign up for a trip and then dont show. worse, ppl who know theyre not going to show and dont take their name off the list. even worse, ppl who know theyre not going to show and dont take their name off the list, even after being sent an email asking who is going and who is not. grr....”

“As meangreen mentioned, I did show up, but didn't hike because I promised my husband I would only hike out if one of the girls showed up. A few had signed up, but we got no confirmation, and I went there anyway because I didn't want to just not show up.

It is frustrating in terms of confirming everyone. It's made me rethink getting together through the internet...I'm not willing to hike solo, so I'm not going to arrange any trips where there might be just a few signing up, and my husband (understandably) gets the heebie jeebies when I hike with people I don't know. I'm sure that's for the best, anyway.

Dunno, maybe the best thing is to be really anal about confirming and getting phone numbers. Even that's frustrating because we're often in areas with no cellular reception.

It's also hard to say you're not going to hike, because it feels like I'm judging someone's character, and the chances that the person I'm meeting is a whacko is very low, but all it takes is one time.

Just venting, I guess, and I feel really bad for meangreen. I was looking forward to it all, as well (I bought a new sleeping pad)!”

“You didn't have to justify your actions BessieLou. You weren't judging my character you were practicing the first rule of self defense, avoiding a situation that could lead to trouble. You know I totally did not blame you. If I were in your husbands shoes, I would have just as much (if not more) concern/anxieties about what you are doing. Thank you again for following through with your statement of coming.
I ended up hiking that little loop at the beginning of the trail we talked about. It was pretty, and only took me about 1.5 hours going pretty easy. It was pretty, and I considered doing the whole thing, I just wasn't into it after all that. Funny thing, there were all these tiny tiny frogs (toads maybe) all over the trail along the second ridgetop. I thought they were little crickets at first, they were that small. Less than 1/4 inch long and black. Maybe they were baby spring peepers. Interesting, never seen so many. Hundreds. Literally.”

“bessie lou i know exactly how you feel...my wife doesn't like me hiking with strangers either

meangreen i might, and that's a big might, be interested in a weekend version of this trip...it all depends on when it is...we're still adjusting to this baby stuff...if my wife is not comfortable taking care of the baby for a whole weekend then i won't go”

“Nah, peace on it...
Maybe next summer.”