Earth Off Trail - Make Your Own Path

Lick Creek Conservation Area – Boone County Missouri

Nov 262011

Lick Creek (39° 9’0.34″N; 92°23’6.31″W) is a fun little conservation area for off-trailing. There really isn’t too much to it, but the trail which heads north from the parking lot leads to a nice little draw that takes you into a wide and moist lowland that is flourishing with life. After you have reached the lowland, if you head west, there are some very old trees and a few oddities. One of the oddities is a hill that has water seeping from it. Calcium mineral deposits have begun to form at the source of the seepage and make a soft white formation that looks a little like flowstone. The seepage also hosts some bacterial colonies that make some stunning colors. The tenuous nature of these colonies makes them hit or miss so don’t be disappointed if they are not present sometimes. The trees seem to get older as you continue west towards the creek. There is not that much wildlife in the area, but it is secluded and I have never run into another person there. It is a good place for contemplation. Once you have reached the stream, you can head north or south. I often head north. As you head north, you find coal deposits and fossils. The coal hints at the potential for good fossils, although I have never found anything extraordinary. Also, if you think you have hit the jackpot and are going to buy the surrounding land to become a coal tycoon, think again. First, the process of mining coal is destructive and why on earth would you want to destroy such a beautiful area. Second, the coal is high in sulfur compounds, so it is useless in today’s coal market. The stream is a place that I like to sit and relax. I suppose the only thing that would make it better is a hammock. If you want a challenging hike, don’t go to Lick Creek. However, if your goal is to get off-trail and be alone with your thoughts, there are few other areas in mid-Missouri that offer such solitude.

Lick Creek Conservation Area Summary
Lick Creek Conservation Area Map

Happy Off-Trailing!

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Merrell Chameleon 3 Stretch Review

Hiking No Responses »

Nov 132011

About a year ago, I bought a pair of Merrell Chameleon 3 Stretch hiking shoes. I purchased these shoes because I really liked the Chameleon 2 Stretch hiking shoes. The Chameleon 2’s were comfortable on- and off-trail. I used them as my daily use shoes as well. They were the most comfortable and durable shoes I had ever purchased. The shoes were not broken down when I purchased the Chameleon 3’s. The only reason I decided I needed new shoes was because the Chameleon 2’s were starting to look a little ratty. The Chameleon 2’s had a few problems that Merrell fixed in the Chameleon 3’s. First, the topline fabric was prone to tearing, so I ended up having to sew the fabric back down as you can see in the picture. The other problem was that the toe cap became disconnected over time and looked bad. Neither of these things affected the functionality of the shoe.

Merrell remedied these two problems in the Chameleon 3’s by removing the cushy foam that made up the topline and widening the toe cap so that it covered the entire front of the shoe. The thing is, the topline changes and whatever other changes they made altered the way the shoe feels. The Chameleon 3’s are not nearly as comfortable as the Chameleon 2’s. The Chameleon 3’s are also not as practical for hiking. It is very difficult to get them tight on your feet, so they are constantly sliding around and creating blisters. I have not been able to get them tight enough on my feet to prevent this from happening. This did not occur in the Chameleon 2’s. I did a 10 mile hike in the Chameleon 3’s and was left with sore feet and blisters. The Chameleon 2’s were always solid shoes and never did this to me. The shoes are still great and comfortable for everyday use, but I cannot use them for hiking. Another problem I ran into with the Chameleon 3′s is that the elastic cord used for tightening the shoe on your foot quickly wore out and snapped. This was a problem because these things are not easy to replace. You can’t just go to the local shoe store and pick one up, so I had to tie the broken ends together. The Chameleon 2 bungees did not start wearing until late in their life and they never have snapped. I’m sure I could have sent the shoes to Merrell to have the bungees replaced, but they are my daily wear shoes and that would have been a bit of a pain. Overall the Chameleon 3′s just don’t measure up to the Chameleon 2′s.

Chameleon 3 Stretch Rating (1-10; 10 being the best)

Everyday Comfort: 8
Trail Comfort: 4
Durability: 9
Hiking Usefulness: 5
Overall Rating (average): 6.5

For this review, I am using shoe terminology that can be found at this website.

Should I go off trail hiking? Part 3 Hats, Socks, and Packs

Hiking, Should I go off trail hiking? No Responses »

Nov 092011

I always have a hat whenever I am hiking. It is wide brim and made of synthetic fiber. I underestimated the importance of having a hat only once. This instance was also the only time I ever found myself somewhat lost while hiking. I happened to be hiking in conservation in mid-Missouri. I forgot to bring my hat that day and decided that it was not important to go back and get it. I was wrong. The day was sunny and there was no chance of rain reported by the weather people. It also had not rained in about a week, so I assumed that it was not going to rain. I had four other people with me on the hike and none of them knew how to orienteer or look for forest landmarks. I decided not to bring a GPS since we had a map and compass. All throughout the hike I had been paying attention to landmarks and the map so that I could guide us back when the time came. We had hiked for some time in the conservation area and were ready to head back to the vehicle when a large pop-up storm dumped a deluge of rain on us. The rain quickly covered my glasses and started making them foggy. I tried wiping them down and using my hand to cover them as we walked, but nothing worked. I was effectively blind in the field. Unable to see my landmarks and frustrated, I asked if one of the other group members would be capable of leading the group. One group member stepped up and said that he could do it. Unfortunately, he could not do it. He had not paid attention to the landmarks, so we missed the draw we were supposed to take back to the vehicles and spent hours attempting to look for it. Fortunately, I had followed a cardinal rule of hiking before coming on the hike. I memorized the surrounding area, roads, and trails beforehand. I still had my compass and sense of direction, so we were able to head towards a road that bracketed the eastern side of the conservation area. Once on the road, we were able to easily make our way back to the vehicles. I learned two lessons that day. First, always bring an extra pair of glasses. Second, never forget your hat. If I had my hat, then my glasses would never have gotten wet and I would have been able to see the landmarks and the map. So, be like Aiden in the photo below and come prepared for your hike!

The socks I wear are incredibly cheap, yet effective synthetic athletic socks from the local buy-it-all store. The socks cost about $5 for 3 pairs. They are comfortable and breathable. I have purchased high dollar hiking socks that are not nearly as comfortable as the cheap socks that I use. The brand I purchased was Starter. However, I’m sure there are many other decent brands out there.

I am going to admit up front that I have been using a woefully inadequate pack for my hiking outings for quite some time. The pack I currently use is a cheap Eastport book bag that I picked up during my undergraduate years. The pack provides no support and does not have a frame. It has been the source of many post-hike backaches. The pack that I am thinking about purchasing is an Osprey Stratos series. These packs are very comfortable and provide excellent back support and lots of storage for day hikes. If you are new to hiking, you do not need to invest in an expensive pack. I have gotten by for years with my cheap pack. However, eventually you will want to upgrade.

Stay tuned for part 4, “Hiking Boots.”

Should I go off trail hiking? Part 2 Hiking Gear

Hiking, Should I go off trail hiking? No Responses »

Nov 092011

At first, I hesitated to write a series that included a discussion of clothing to wear while hiking. I didn’t want to write about something that on the surface seems simple. However, I have found over the years that few new hikers know what clothes are appropriate to wear in the field. For example, I once went hiking with a person that had never been hiking before. We were planning on entering rough terrain with plenty of noxious plants. I assumed that he would know what to wear. He arrived at the site with tennis shoes, low-rise socks, shorts, and a t-shirt. I told him that he should consider going back to get appropriate clothing. He refused and decided to go forward with the hike. About half way through the hike, he was walking in front of me through a field of thigh high plants on the bank of a creek. I was wearing fairly thick hiking pants and was not paying complete attention to the plants we were walking through. Suddenly, he ran screaming down into the creek and started vigorously rubbing his legs. I looked down at the plants to confirm my immediate suspicion. The plants were stinging nettle and he had walked about 100 yards though them. If he had appropriate clothing, then he would not have been affected by the stinging nettle.

To avoid unpleasant instances like the one described above, I want to give new hikers a brief tutorial on what I use while hiking. Hiking gear can be a very complex and contentious issue. Everyone has an opinion about what is the best gear to have and wear. In reality, it is all about what works best for you. I am a minimalist when it comes to hiking clothes. What I mean by this is I use the minimal amount of clothes for functionality and comfort. I am mostly a warm weather (40˚ F+) hiker/backpacker, so I won’t talk about cold weather clothing here. On a typical summer day while hiking, I will have a pair of lightweight hiking pants, a synthetic shirt, a hat, synthetic socks, a small pack, and a pair of combat boots or hiking shoes (depending on terrain).

I currently have two pairs of lightweight Columbia Sportswear convertible hiking pants. The convertible pants are versatile and allow you to convert from pants to shorts in no time. I must confess that I have never actually converted them to shorts because the fabric is so lightweight and cool that I have never been hot in them, even on the hottest days in summer! The pants are 100% nylon and dry very quickly. Last week I was covered in dew from the saw palmettos I was navigating through. Within 5 minutes of getting out of the palmettos, the pants were completely dry. There are many companies that make synthetic convertible hiking pants. I would recommend getting a good pair.

My choice of shirt has changed radically since I moved to Florida. In Missouri, I would typically wear a cheap partial-synthetic t-shirt. When I say cheap, I mean really cheap! I picked these things up at the local buy-it-all store for $5/5 shirts. The good old days of cheap shirts have passed away for me. Here in Florida I have found copious amounts of mosquitoes that can easily bite through the thin shirts I used to wear. I have switched to vented-back hiking/fishing shirts with rollable long sleeves. The venting and synthetic fiber keeps you cool and the thickness of the shirt repels insect onslaughts. My personal shirts were custom made by the manufacturer and include additional pockets and gizmo holders. In addition, on cooler days I carry a fleece jacket in my pack. I tend to get hot while hiking, so I usually don’t wear it. However, it is nice to have just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Stay tuned for part 3, “Hats, Socks, and Packs”

Should I go off trail hiking? Part 1

Should I go off trail hiking? No Responses »

Nov 052011

This is a question that everyone should ask before going on their first off trail adventure. The short answer to the question is yes! The caveat is that you will need to gain the appropriate skills before doing so. Going off trail can be fun and lead you to things that other hikers usually do not see. However, it can also be challenging in many ways. For instance, orienteering is a challenge that many experienced off trail hikers seek, but those new to off trail hiking with little or no orienteering experience might find this to be overwhelming. This series will give you advice on how to begin your journey to becoming an experienced off trail hiker.

One of the first things I tell people that are interested in becoming off trail hikers is that they should find someone who is experienced and go on hikes with them. This may sound obvious; especially if you have a friend that is an experienced hiker, but not everyone knows someone who is experienced. If you don’t already know an experienced off trail hiker, you should seek one out on one of the numerous places to meet other hikers. For example, you can find hiking websites that have forums that help you meet other people in your area that are interested in hiking. Earth Off Trail has its own forum, but there are others as well. Florida has another great hiking website called Florida Hikes where you can meet many people. Try searching for a hiking organization with an online presence in your state.

I will offer another bit advice for new off trail hikers that want to hike with experienced hikers. You should realize that experienced off trail hikers have taken a great deal of time to become the knowledgeable, proficient hikers that they are. You should go in willing to learn and be unafraid while in the field with them. Nothing is more annoying than a non-experienced hiker that starts panicking because they don’t know where they are. The experienced hiker knows where you are. You are not lost! I had a former friend that wanted to learn about off trail hiking from me. I took him off trail in a relatively non-challenging area (i.e. plenty of reference topography). After about an hour he started panicking because he thought we were lost. I was frequently checking the topographic map and audibly voicing my thoughts about the topography to show him how to orienteer and he somehow took that to mean we were lost. In his panic, he began questioning my off trail abilities, which at the time had been developed over a period of 19 years. At that point, I promptly took him to the closest trail, guided him to his vehicle, and never hiked with him again.

The second thing that I tell non-experienced off trail hikers is to never, never, never fully rely on a GPS! I have often come upon forests with thick canopies and rough terrain that completely block the GPS signal. You do not want to rely on having to hike to the highest point in the area to navigate. You should definitely have a GPS, but it is NEVER a substitute for having a map and map compass with you. Being able to use that map and compass in the field (aka orienteering) is very important. I will be starting a separate series on orienteering. Stay tuned for the next post in this series, “Hiking Gear.”

Happy Off Trailing!

Deet free bug spray review (Repel Lemon Eucalyptus and Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellents)

Hiking No Responses »

Nov 032011

If you’re anything like me, you really don’t like the bug sprays that contain DEET. In spite of the EPA’s ruling that DEET is safe, there is a great deal of evidence presented by the Cornell Pesticide Information Project and the CDC that would suggest cause for concern. Many people, including myself, have experienced adverse reactions to the chemical. In most cases, I would prefer not to use insect repellent if at all possible. However, Florida has an abundance of mosquitoes. If you don’t use bug spray, then you are asking to be sucked dry. There a number of insect repellent manufacturers that make plant-based “all natural” sprays. These sprays typically contain lemon eucalyptus oil and a plethora of other chemicals. During a recent hike in Upper Hillsborough Preserve I tried two of these products.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Claimed Effective Time: 6 hours
Actual Effective Time: 10 minutes
Comments: Following proper procedure, I applied this product to exposed areas of skin. It provided a temporary respite to the onslaught of mosquitoes. However, this respite was short-lived and was far from the claims of the manufacturer.

Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellent
Claimed Effective Time: 6 hours
Actual Effective Time: 8 minutes
Comments: This product fared slightly worse than the Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent. However, given that both were exceedingly far from the manufacturers’ claims, the difference was not significant.

Overall Recommendation: I would suggest using physical barriers as your first line of defense against mosquitoes. Wearing pants, long sleeves, and a head net ($2.50 at a local store) over a hat will protect you far better than having to repeatedly apply these insect repellents. With that said, I know it is sometimes inconvenient to wear a head net, especially if you are birding. In those cases, these short-lived repellents are better than the DEET alternative. Just keep the bottle nearby!

Another alternative was recently brought to my attention. It is called 45N68W. I have not yet tried it. You can read about it here and here.

Happy Off-Trailing!

“Off Trail” in the Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

Animals, Photography, World Hiking No Responses »

Nov 022011

One of my favorite “off-trail” hikes was within the Sarova Mara compound in Masai Mara, Kenya. I put off-trail in quotes because the people who run the safari camp strongly discourage you from actually going off-trail. That is for good reason! It is highly likely that you will be eaten if you are walking about by yourself. The Sarova Mara compound is surrounded by electric fencing and guarded by men with AK-47′s, so going “off-trail” really involves walking around the inner perimeter of the fence to see what wildlife you can find. This may sound about as far from off-trail as you can get, but in fact the area is heavily vegetated and you cannot always see the main compound when traipsing around the perimeter. There is a great deal of wildlife to be seen even inside the fence! Here is a sample of the wildlife that I found within the fence.

Sarova Mara

Have you been thinking about hiking the Upper Hillsborough Preserve?

East US Hiking No Responses »

Nov 022011

Upper Hillsborough Preserve is 9,961 acre water management district and conservation plot near Zephyrhills, FL. The Preserve is broken down into two tracts that include the Alston Tract and the Upper Hillsborough Tract. Today I did a bird census in the Upper Hillsborough Tract. The tract offers a decent hike. There are a bunch of trails that wind around the park, but as usual I think the best stuff to see is nowhere near the trails. I started at a parking lot on the western side of the tract (28°13’22.64″N; 82° 8’45.96″W). The first thing I would like to say is that the area is bird poor. I have had far better birding days in downtown Houston, TX. So, if you are going there to bird, I would suggest looking somewhere else unless you live very close to the preserve. The hiking was fun and a mild challenge. The most challenging thing about the hike was the variable density of the vegetation. Sometimes you would have a clear lane of travel and then suddenly you would be boxed in by thick, nearly impenetrable fields of saw palmetto. The name of the plant sounds ominous, but if you are outfitted correctly for your hike, then you’ll have no problem punching through the densest of saw palmetto stands. The second most challenging thing about the hike was the pterodactyl size mosquitos that swarm your head and threaten to exsanguinate you at any moment. A head net, long sleeves, and some bug spray kept them at bay for the most part. I would suggest wearing looser clothes to help avoid being bitten. The mosquitos are very large and can bite through clothing. My hiking partner was wearing a tight shirt and discovered this the hard way when about 100 mosquitos descended on his back and started sucking blood straight through the cloth. He said, “My back is tingling and burning!” Well, that is what happens when 100 hypodermic needles are jabbed into your back.

Our hike proceeded on a west to east transect that took us toward the Hillsborough “River.” Along the way we found numerous creatures that caught our attention. Some of the creatures were a huge banana spider that was far larger than a silver dollar, a 6-inch long stick insect that was in the process of mating, and several wild boars. The boars rutted and tore up several areas along our path of travel. If the area we hiked is any indication of the boar population in the tract, then the population must be quite large. The vegetation is also very nice in many areas. The saw palmetto fields have undergone recent fires, so be prepared to be covered in soot by the end of your hike. Some of the mixed forest areas make you feel as though you are in a primeval forest where no humans have tread. That is far from the truth, of course, but it’s the feel of the forest that counts. The forest has a mix of cypress, oak, maple, and several other trees. The trees are covered in thick lichens and moss and some have huge buttresses that drape to the ground. Along the way, we encountered an orange tree growing in the middle of a swamp. The tree was pretty healthy and was bearing fruit, so we decided to partake of it. Now, I have had a few run-ins with wild-growing oranges in Mexico and they were the bitterest fruit that I had ever eaten. So, I was wary of this tree as I was pulling fruit from it. My suspicions were confirmed by the newly formed black hole in my mouth that threatened to suck my entire face in. It was very bitter, but it was also very good. So, give it a try if you find it and can stand bitterness. After the orange tree, we discovered the Hillsborough River. The river is very small and hardly warrants the title. It is easy to cross if you don’t mind getting a little wet. We didn’t see any alligators. However, it is Florida, and I am certain they are there. Overall, I enjoyed my hike into the Upper Hillsborough Tract. I would definitely go exploring there again.

Happy Off-Trailing!

Upper Hillsborough Preserve – Pasco County Florida
Upper Hillsborough Tract

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Robert K. Rees Memorial Park – Pasco County Florida

East US Hiking No Responses »

Oct 242011

Recently, on a beautiful day in Florida, I visited a park called Robert K. Rees Memorial Park ( 28°15’13.55″N; 82°45’25.15″W). Robert K. Rees is located in New Port Richey. The park is incredibly small at only 45 acres and has many deterrents to going off trail. Some of these obstacles include signs warning you to stay out of mangroves due to their sensitivity and the mangroves themselves. The park has a single 650 foot boardwalk that meanders through the mangroves. I thought the boardwalk was going to be an opportunity to see some wildlife. However, the only animals it offered were the ubiquitous brown anoles that are so pervasive throughout Florida. I was highly disappointed in the trail. I’m not sure why they maintain the boardwalk, other than to give the local teenagers a place to carve their names. With that said, the end of the boardwalk offers a peaceful, scenic view of the ocean that is rather soothing.

The only opportunity to go off trail at Robert K. Rees is when you get to the beach. At the beach, I walked into the water and proceeded north around the mangroves. The water was 1-2 feetdeep and clear. The walk was leisurely and I saw some wildlife. Numerous large blue crabs scurried around my feet. It was somewhat unnerving because they were aggressive and attempted to nip at my feet with their claws. None of the crabs were actually successful in their attempts to pinch me. There were also many small, drab fish that stayed close to the mangroves. Farther out in the water, near the sea grass beds, there were larger fish. It was difficult to see these fish because of their wary nature. I have not yet attempted to fish there, but I do believe it would be a good place to fish. On several occasions, large horseshoe crabs swam by me. They seemed to be completely unaware of my presence.

The park is not a challenging hike by any means, it will not provide you with a good workout, and there is little wildlife. However, it is a great spot for a leisurely family outing.

Robert K. Rees Memorial Park
4835 Green Key Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652-2118
(727) 834-3252

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Three Creeks Conservation Area – Boone County Missouri

Central US Hiking No Responses »

Oct 202011

I have always enjoyed hiking Three Creeks CA. The topography is variable and can be challenging if approached in the right way. There are also many gems tucked away in this unassuming conservation area. One of my favorite places to hike in Three Creeks is an unofficial trail that comes off the Tomlin Hill Road parking area (38°50’23.02″N; 92°18’16.53″W). The trail proceeds southwest from the parking area along a bluff with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and creek below. The initial portion of the trail is especially lovely during fall when the leaves have begun to change color. Camping on the bluff trail is always a treat. It is nice to wake up to scenic views in the morning. As you proceed on the trail, the bluff begins to slope down towards the elevation of the river. Once you have reached the elevation of the river, the trail abruptly ends. There are two ways you can go at that point.

First, you can travel west into the extreme western portions of the CA. This area provides some decent hiking, but your trip will be cut short by the boundaries of the park. One gem that this area of the CA offers is small numbers of morels during the spring. I have hunted morels here couple of times and have never come back empty handed. I have never seen any other morel hunters while I have been there. The downside is that there are very few and I have much better areas to hunt.

The second direction you can go is to follow the river back along the bottom of the bluff you were just on. You are guaranteed to get wet on this portion of the trip, so bring waterproof boots if you decide to do it. Following the river northeast brings you to the confluence of Bonne Femme Creek and Turkey Creek. The confluence has a deep scour hole that is never dry. I have not attempted to determine the actual depth of the hole, but you cannot see the bottom. The hole is perfect for swimming. There is a rope and several vines that are used for launching yourself into the water. You can also climb out onto a tree that is parallel to the water’s surface. I have caught bluegill there with a Missouri backwoods fishing pole that I made from what I could find around the hole. The swimming hole offers a sandy beach that is perfect for camping and relaxing. It is frequented by locals that often lose their inhibitions while they are there. I have more than once walked up to find naked people running around the swimming hole.

After visiting the swimming hole, you can continue travelling northwest along Bonne Femme Creek and meet up with a trail that will either take you back to your vehicle if you follow it north or take you farther into Three Creeks if you follow it south or southeast. You can also continue along Bonne Femme Creek to see beautiful bluffs and yet another hidden gem of the CA. Along the creek, not far from the trail you crossed is an extensive grove of pawpaws that is on the south bank of the creek. The pawpaws are old enough to produce fruit and if you visit at the right time of year, the fruit is prolific. It is always a place I like to visit when the pawpaw fruit is in season. You may also catch a glimpse of the Zebra Swallowtail that lays eggs on the pawpaws. I consider these to be one of the most beautiful butterflies in Missouri.

Three Creeks can be made into a challenging hike by avoiding the trails, which are mostly designed for bikes and horses. The terrain, when taken head-on, will present a tough and fun hike that is difficult to get from other parks in the area. There are some other off trail gems that you can find in Three Creeks, such as Hunter’s cave and other caves. However, due to White Nose Syndrome in bats, all of the caves in Three Creeks have been closed to public access.

Happy off-trailing!

Three Creeks Conservation Area Links:
Area Information
Area Map