First trip in DeSoto National Forest: Now with more RD9!

[CaptInsano]

I took my first trip in DeSoto NF in Mississippi today. I hiked about 15 miles of the Black Creek Trail. I got to break in all kinds of new goodies. A new pack, a new Ranger RD9, and even some new socks.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/ms_soto.htm
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/hik_se4.htm


Haha! Its all mine!!

I'm always amazed at how green Mississippi and Louisiana are. Its not the same color as other places I've been. Its almost a neon green.

Found a little spring! I don't know if its a real spring or if the water table is just high enough to break out here.

I'm not a big fan of fungus, but it seems people like to take pictures of the things.

And now we start to get some creek action.

I guess I got the shadow all wrong with these pics of my RD9.

 

[bishop85gt]

Great pics thanks for sharing.

 

[CaptInsano]

Can anyone ID these plants?

I finally found a snack for my new blade. Cant have this little tree laying across the foot bridge.

No problem. Just a wee taste for the Ranger.

But it turns out this foot bridge had much bigger problems.

Now this will make a fine lunch for my new RD9 tomorrow.

A little more water, eh?

Okay, a lot more water. This is Black Creek proper. The soil had also turned to white sand at this point.

Ehh, then I had to turn around so I could get back before sundown. I really don't like backtracking, but that's the way it goes when you're alone. On the way back I found this piece of jawbone.

 

[CaptInsano]

My only gripe about the Ranger was that the grips weren't flush with the tang. Other than that, Ontario did a great job. It just doesn't compare well with Justin's work in that area. For the money, though, its a problem I am willing to deal with correcting.

I tried to show how the grips aren't flush, but I am the suck at photography.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great pics man..:thumbup: looks like a gorgeaous area... it's been pretty nasty weather over here the past few days... if it clears up we might head out camping on friday..

nice ranger too.. that thing looks stout...

 

[CaptInsano]

I hope it works out for you, Mike. This Ranger is a real beast.


Man, my legs are trashed. I'm in terrible shape. lol Oh well, going out again today anyway.

 

[CaptInsano]

Here's a few from yesterday's trip.

There were lots of water crossings like this. Its just a very swampy area.

There were innumerable blowdowns and it looks like they did a lot of controlled burning throughout the park.

I found a few more snacks for my Ranger.

 

[CaptInsano]

Large sections of the trail flood with pretty good frequency. You can kind of see all the silt on the grass. All the dust on it makes it look dull.

This bridge was completely covered up over the handrails during the last flood.

Found a little cypress swamp with some nice raccoon tracks right by it.

Here's one of the sandbars I kept seeing. I kept wanting to find one to hang out on for a while and have a snack, but it seemed like all the good spots were on the other bank.

Someone say snack?

This is a pretty big pine tree.

That's a pretty big Magnolia.

 

[CaptInsano]

After another 14 miles or so, that was all for me.

 

[Fonly]

man, awesome pictures, Love'n that RD9. As soon as I get another chunk of change, I know what im going for, thanks!

 

[Rockywolf]

Great pics-love the green! It is brown here right now.

 

[kgd]

Great pictures and one heck of a hike especially with that knife! It seems that Ontario has done a good job with the Ranger series. Lets hope they keep it that way.

 

[CaptInsano]

Thanks! I'll see if I can get over there and cook some lunch today.

 

[CaptInsano]

Another day in the woods!! Ahhhh


One of the things I like about this trail is the diversity of terrain. One our you might be in a flood plain, or traipsing through a boggy, swampy mess and the next you'll be just a few hundred feet higher, but up in a dry, grassy pine forest on hard pack. I like the ferns in the first pic.

Now, lets play "who's poo is this?" I guess the first one could be deer or hog. The second looks more umm, more carnivorous to me. I'm not very good with this yet, though.