The American Discovery Trail in Hueston Woods
Hedge Apple Trail
This tree belongs in a horror movie.
Blow down on the Big Woods Trail
View of Acton Lake from the Sycamore Trail
Cedar Falls Trail
Cedar Falls Trail
Cedar Falls Trail Stream Crossing
Hueston Woods Resort
Mud Lick Trail
Mud Lick Trail
Mud Lick Trail
Campsite (Eureka Spitfire tent)
I drove to Hueston Woods State Park on Saturday to hike some of the trails and try out some winter camping, which I have not done for a couple of years.
I have never been to Hueston Woods before, but I had printed out a map of the park that I got from the state website at Hueston Woods Park Map.
I also printed some very nice trail maps from Trailqwest. They have a few maps of Hueston Woods trails as well as a few other parks. There website is at Trailqwest.
I first located the Hedge Apple Trail on my map, parked the van and began walking toward the trail head. I met someone who was hiking along the road, which also happens to be part of the American Discovery Trail.
The Hedge Apple Trail also runs into the Big Woods Trail, which I hiked part of also. There were some very big blow downs in one of area near where it meets the Hedge Apple. I am sure it was from the big windstorm of September 14th that wiped out a lot of trees across southwest Ohio.
Once I finished the Hedge Apple Loop, I continued on to the Sycamore Trail and Cedar Falls Trail. I finished up by hiking the Mud Lick Trail.
I got a late start getting to Hueston Woods, and I wanted to get a camp site before it got very dark. I located the camp store at the entrance to the camping area. It was closed. I drove ahead toward the non-electric campground area and found a large chain across the road. This area was closed. I backed up, and drove up to the electric campground. There were a few cars that drove around while I was checking out the sites. I located several sites that have red "Walk In" tags in front of them. I learned that these are sites that you can walk in and claim if no one is there. The rest must be reserved in advance.
I returned to the camp store and found envelopes that you can use to "self-register". I filled out the form, drove back up to my campsite (I selected F23), and placed an "occupied sign" on the post. I returned the envelope with my $20.00 in it and went back to the camp site.
I almost had the whole campground to myself. Dinner was a Mountain House pasta primavera. I heated water with my Esbit pocket stove. I also had some tuna and a Clif bar for desert. I had a nice fire going, and I was finally able to get my cell phone to work long enough to call my wife and let her know I was ok.
I think I now realize why I get up so early when I camp. When it gets dark I don't have a t.v. to watch, or the internet to surf. Other than watch the campfire, there isn't much to do but sleep.
When I packed and left this morning (3/1), the outdoor temperature was 18 degrees. I had 8 layers on, and was cozy in the 20 degree mummy bag.
I would love to do it again!
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