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Read Thread: I did it!

I did it!
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Oct 31, 2010 8:13pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I finally did my solo overnight backpack adventure! Of course I happened to pick the coldest night of the year to do it! I hiked the Red Cedar Hiking Trail in Giant City State Park in Makanda, IL. It is in the Shawnee National Forest. The day was perfect and the sights were amazing. The trail markers were pretty easy to follow but the ground was covered in leaves and I lost the trail a few times. There were also a lot of rocks and boulders underneath the leaves that made it slow going. (turned each ankle once) The only thing that could have been better is if the temperature had not dropped down to 30 degrees that night! I had icicles on the inside if my tent from my breathing. There was so much frost on the outside I could have made a couple of snowballs from it! The good thing is that because of the cold there were NO bugs and almost no critters, except noisy possums, moving around at night. Something woke me up about 3am with an awful racket. Whatever it was it was really pissed off! (All I could think of was werewolf.)
I am so proud of myself for doing the hike when I almost turned back because I had to cross over a very steep creek bed. I was not sure if I could get up the other side with the 25# on my back! I walked around a bit and found an easier way down and then an easier way up. All in all it was a very fun and good experience. I am thinking about doing the same trail in the spring just to see if it can be any more beautiful.
Re: I did it!
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #559935 by Jenjenz
Oct 31, 2010 8:18pm
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Congrats! Glad you had such a great experience. I hope the Spring is even better for you!

MF
Re: I did it!
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #559935 by Jenjenz
Nov 1, 2010 12:44am
Thread (disabled) Board
Yay! I've been wondering if you'd completed your adventure yet. How did your gear work out?
Re: I did it!
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #559956 by Funhog
Nov 1, 2010 8:08am
Thread (disabled) Board
My gear worked out great! Thanks again for your tips on what to take. I think the smartest thing I did was after I had gone down the road a bit I turned around and came back home thinking...I need to take some winter gloves....VERY wise move on my part!!
Re: I did it!
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #559935 by Jenjenz
Nov 1, 2010 8:24am
Thread (disabled) Board
had to cross over a very steep creek bed.....I am thinking about doing the same trail in the spring

Think about that creek being higher/deeper with the snow melt.

I'm glad you had a good time. Any time of the year is great to go on a short backpack trip! Hope you get to keep enjoying this!

Y~K b