Partner I live at 3255 coyle ln.Equality Illinois. Love your videos. did primal yell 2 days before Thanksgiving 2016 at 11:00 at night to Jones lake area. 6:20 next morning dog alearted. Ran in woods. Other dog joined and bayed Bigfoot. Long story. It had stood there 5 minutes from first dog alearted to going to. Dogs had enough sense to not attack.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Will be heading to this area for the Solar Eclipse and came across the Shawnee Forest. Looks like a really beautiful place to hike so we will be visiting while we are near.
I'm going there for the eclipse too! Trying to stay away from crowded public area. Going deep. I'm collaborating with another guy so I don't know where we will end up. Actually that place I took my breakfast in this video would be great. Thanks for the comment brother. Please share your adventure!
I live in Bear Track Holler and believe me, Boo Coo Rattlesnakes, even had a cougar come across my driveway , the dogs ran it off. City slickers are funny., they have no idea,,,,Number one to be fearful of is TICKS!!!!
I'm going to Indian Point trail for two nights this weekend. Do you know if the stream that's just south of there is safe to drink and if theres fish in it?
There may be a water source on 001 (River To River trail) headed south from Indian Point but I didn't go that way. In my video "Shawnee National Forest Part 4" I found decent water at a place I suspected there would be a campsite too -- and I was right! From the Indian Point parking area I took 001 north up to the intersection of 001, 001A and 108C. Take a left down 001A into the valley until you get to the creek. It's a decent water source but too small for anything larger than minnows. Cross the creek and you'll be at a large camp site and trail 152B. Filter as much water as you can then follow 152B back to 001 and back to Indian Point parking. Hope this helped! Have fun!
Sooooo appreciate these videos! Trying to plan a long weekend for my son and I but it is ridiculous how little information there is on the area. We did GOG last year but hoping to check out a new spot in Shawnee. Your videos will go a LONG way towards our trip being more successful.
Jason Hill I'm very happy to hear that! For more really good information on SNF you should get ahold of Shawn from the YT channel "Hiking With Shawn". He lives in the area and posts weekly. Aside from the rangers he probably knows more about the area than anyone. I don't know how old your son is but Bell Smith Springs has a great camping area ( with water) and has an intricate and really great pedestrian-only trail system and a beautiful swimming hole! It's also near Panthers Den wilderness area if you want to go deep. Have fun and I'd love to know what you end up doing. Thanks for watching and for the great comment!
This is awesome! Question: Where did you park your vehicle? Did they allow you to keep the car parked within the grounds, or did you have to find a secluded spot and park the car there? I'd like to know cause I want to try it, since I live 5 hours away, but I don't want to drive there and then have to drive back the same day, or lose the car to be towed. lol
There's a big parking area at the Lusk Creek Trailhead across the street from a horse ranch. I think it's called Circle B Ranch. I was parked there for a few days. It's not a big deal at all. The trailhead is right off the parking area. 5 hours was about the distance I drove for this as well.
I hike that and other Shawnee areas all the time. Plan to do wilderness camping at some point and add more videos. Love seeing your videos! Keep it up :)
Oh man, great idea with those peanut butter noodles. One peanut butter sauce mix we make sometimes at home (but I've never tried it camping) is taking peanut butter and mixing it with "Asian BBQ sauce" (comes in a can like this: www.tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/3942446847_192c5c1235_o.jpg). You can add some soy sauce too. Only problem is I think once you open the can, it has to be refrigerated, but they sell smaller cans at the store. I think it would last in the open at least a couple of days.
+AdventureArchives Glad you liked it! Try it sometime! I've enjoyed seeing what you guys bring when you're out there. I try to avoid cans tho I did take some small cans of Spam on this trip. Did I get that idea from you guys? Need to get better at the wild edibles thing tho!
You are right in that there is little info about camping there online. Have you been to the Garden of The Gods or One Horse Gap? We are planning to go there in late October for a couple of days of hiking and dispersed camping.
+Doug Lloyd I'm in Garden of the Gods on Part 5 of My Shawnee National Forest playlist. There's some good tips on dispersed camping spots in the Garden of the Gods wilderness. I stayed a couple nights on Indian Point trail and did some exploring in other areas nearby. The River to River trail has some nice spots in the area too. I never made it to One Horse Gap since I had to cut my trip short but it was on my list. Have fun. Lemme know how it went. Thanks for watching!
I'm going to camp a weekend alone out in the lusk creek wilderness in the next few weeks/Months. Couple of questions for you. What days of the week was your overnight? What was equestrian and hiker traffic like? Heavy ? Light ? etc. My aim is to isolate myself as much as possible, and knowing where and when traffic picks up could be quite useful in that regard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I took to the trail just north of Circle B ranch -- not from the trailhead at the parking area-- on a Friday. There seemed to be a lot more horse traffic going that way. Heading east on the trail going toward Natural Bridge I had two riders start the trail with me and another two passed me in the afternoon. The next day I also saw only two sets of riders on my way out. So that's what it was like on a blazing hot summer weekend. I saw no other hikers. The horses are not used to seeing hikers. You will see them long before they see you so announce yourself for the rider's sake get well off the trail and get low and still so as to not spook the horses. Hope this helps!
Nate Buker appreciate the info, and will be mindful of the horses. I've worked with them before but never ran into them on a trail, so the etiquette lesson i'll keep close to heart. I'm really hoping to avoid much interaction at all, as it's pretty much therapy to me at this point.
+Chaos8282 That's how it is for me too--therapy. I'd say to head out during the week sometime in mid September after most people have done their vacations. Find out where stables are and chose an area more isolated from them. I think most backpackers stick with the River To River trail.
I just watched this again and thought up something else for you. That water filtration system you have, is it the same ones you get at Walmart ? I just saw one last night and thought you had the same one. The reason it got my attention was that I can put it in line on my camelbak. I don't expect it would be the best in the world but the sheer convenience of it and price peeked my interest.
If you're looking for a cool hike with an overnight go to Indian Point just below the Garden of the Gods Area. I have a video on it. I did a couple nights there. Awesome spots. If you wanna go in deep check out the Lusk Creek Wilderness or Panther Den. Also awesome areas. A section hike on the River To River Trail will yield some exploratory fun for you too. You can get to it from the Indian Point parking area. This is the only area of the R2R trail I'm familiar with. Yeah start at Indian Point trailhead. Get a map. You won't be disappointed. Hope you all have a blast! Please pack out your trash.
The first time I watched this, I thought the peanut butter/ ramen thing was a bit bizarre, but i actually ended up trying it earlier, and it was quite tasty !
i just came back from backpacking in the garden of the gods over thanksgiving weekend, such a beautiful place. i made it down to one horse gap lake, such a beautiful place, and i love being able to just find a spot and camp. Dispersed camping is probably a felony in northern illlinois where im from. I love going down to shawnee!
I'm jealous! I'd love to hit the area in the Autumn and I never made it to One Horse Gap. You're right about northern Illinois, there's nowhere to go if you're into wild camping.
+Nate Buker neat I'll definitely have to get me a pair I've always just used duck tape if I used anything those are a lot less homeless looking and probably more effective & definitely beats picking ticks off the sensitive parts. Lol
They were more usefusl to eliminate burrs, thorns and poison ivy excursion to my ankles. Ticks weren't a big deal really. Headwear was the key on that tip methinks--Repel and smoke for the vermin.
same one I have. I Got the standard fly as well, but one night rain came in sideways and blew in from the end. (Florida T Storms don't play around ) so I went and upgraded to the large Hex fly. Besides my OCD didn't care for the trapezoidal shape...
yes sir! I have a set on both tarps. I keep my smaller one in my day pack. I love them. Very well made. I ordered the second fly with a set because of its ingenious design...
Partner I live at 3255 coyle ln.Equality Illinois. Love your videos. did primal yell 2 days before Thanksgiving 2016 at 11:00 at night to Jones lake area. 6:20 next morning dog alearted. Ran in woods. Other dog joined and bayed Bigfoot. Long story. It had stood there 5 minutes from first dog alearted to going to. Dogs had enough sense to not attack.
I'd like to hear more details about that. Please email me. My contact information can be found on my channel page.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Will be heading to this area for the Solar Eclipse and came across the Shawnee Forest. Looks like a really beautiful place to hike so we will be visiting while we are near.
I'm going there for the eclipse too! Trying to stay away from crowded public area. Going deep. I'm collaborating with another guy so I don't know where we will end up. Actually that place I took my breakfast in this video would be great. Thanks for the comment brother. Please share your adventure!
I live in Bear Track Holler and believe me, Boo Coo Rattlesnakes, even had a cougar come across my driveway , the dogs ran it off. City slickers are funny., they have no idea,,,,Number one to be fearful of is TICKS!!!!
Yeah ticks are a bitch. None on this trip though. Kept looking for snakes but none of that either. I think they run from me.
I'm going to Indian Point trail for two nights this weekend. Do you know if the stream that's just south of there is safe to drink and if theres fish in it?
There may be a water source on 001 (River To River trail) headed south from Indian Point but I didn't go that way.
In my video "Shawnee National Forest Part 4" I found decent water at a place I suspected there would be a campsite too -- and I was right!
From the Indian Point parking area I took 001 north up to the intersection of 001, 001A and 108C. Take a left down 001A into the valley until you get to the creek. It's a decent water source but too small for anything larger than minnows. Cross the creek and you'll be at a large camp site and trail 152B. Filter as much water as you can then follow 152B back to 001 and back to Indian Point parking.
Hope this helped! Have fun!
Sooooo appreciate these videos! Trying to plan a long weekend for my son and I but it is ridiculous how little information there is on the area. We did GOG last year but hoping to check out a new spot in Shawnee. Your videos will go a LONG way towards our trip being more successful.
Jason Hill I'm very happy to hear that! For more really good information on SNF you should get ahold of Shawn from the YT channel "Hiking With Shawn". He lives in the area and posts weekly. Aside from the rangers he probably knows more about the area than anyone. I don't know how old your son is but Bell Smith Springs has a great camping area ( with water) and has an intricate and really great pedestrian-only trail system and a beautiful swimming hole! It's also near Panthers Den wilderness area if you want to go deep. Have fun and I'd love to know what you end up doing. Thanks for watching and for the great comment!
This is awesome! Question: Where did you park your vehicle? Did they allow you to keep the car parked within the grounds, or did you have to find a secluded spot and park the car there? I'd like to know cause I want to try it, since I live 5 hours away, but I don't want to drive there and then have to drive back the same day, or lose the car to be towed. lol
There's a big parking area at the Lusk Creek Trailhead across the street from a horse ranch. I think it's called Circle B Ranch. I was parked there for a few days. It's not a big deal at all. The trailhead is right off the parking area. 5 hours was about the distance I drove for this as well.
Nate Buker
Thank you. I am going to plan a trip there soon. Awesome videos. keep up the good work.
@@mediocreman561 Thanks Salvatore. I'm still at it!
I hike that and other Shawnee areas all the time. Plan to do wilderness camping at some point and add more videos. Love seeing your videos! Keep it up :)
Cool video! Cool Rock Formations. Subscribed! :)
+Hangs with Raccoons Thank you!
Your welcome man! :)
Oh man, great idea with those peanut butter noodles. One peanut butter sauce mix we make sometimes at home (but I've never tried it camping) is taking peanut butter and mixing it with "Asian BBQ sauce" (comes in a can like this: www.tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/3942446847_192c5c1235_o.jpg). You can add some soy sauce too. Only problem is I think once you open the can, it has to be refrigerated, but they sell smaller cans at the store. I think it would last in the open at least a couple of days.
+AdventureArchives Glad you liked it! Try it sometime! I've enjoyed seeing what you guys bring when you're out there. I try to avoid cans tho I did take some small cans of Spam on this trip. Did I get that idea from you guys?
Need to get better at the wild edibles thing tho!
Enjoyed it. I plan on trying your Ramen recipe asap.
+Donut Ho If you open up a restaurant I want in ;)
You are right in that there is little info about camping there online. Have you been to the Garden of The Gods or One Horse Gap? We are planning to go there in late October for a couple of days of hiking and dispersed camping.
+Doug Lloyd I'm in Garden of the Gods on Part 5 of My Shawnee National Forest playlist. There's some good tips on dispersed camping spots in the Garden of the Gods wilderness. I stayed a couple nights on Indian Point trail and did some exploring in other areas nearby. The River to River trail has some nice spots in the area too. I never made it to One Horse Gap since I had to cut my trip short but it was on my list. Have fun. Lemme know how it went. Thanks for watching!
I'm going to camp a weekend alone out in the lusk creek wilderness in the next few weeks/Months. Couple of questions for you. What days of the week was your overnight? What was equestrian and hiker traffic like? Heavy ? Light ? etc. My aim is to isolate myself as much as possible, and knowing where and when traffic picks up could be quite useful in that regard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I took to the trail just north of Circle B ranch -- not from the trailhead at the parking area-- on a Friday. There seemed to be a lot more horse traffic going that way. Heading east on the trail going toward Natural Bridge I had two riders start the trail with me and another two passed me in the afternoon. The next day I also saw only two sets of riders on my way out. So that's what it was like on a blazing hot summer weekend.
I saw no other hikers. The horses are not used to seeing hikers. You will see them long before they see you so announce yourself for the rider's sake get well off the trail and get low and still so as to not spook the horses.
Hope this helps!
Nate Buker appreciate the info, and will be mindful of the horses. I've worked with them before but never ran into them on a trail, so the etiquette lesson i'll keep close to heart. I'm really hoping to avoid much interaction at all, as it's pretty much therapy to me at this point.
+Chaos8282 That's how it is for me too--therapy. I'd say to head out during the week sometime in mid September after most people have done their vacations. Find out where stables are and chose an area more isolated from them. I think most backpackers stick with the River To River trail.
I just watched this again and thought up something else for you. That water filtration system you have, is it the same ones you get at Walmart ? I just saw one last night and thought you had the same one. The reason it got my attention was that I can put it in line on my camelbak. I don't expect it would be the best in the world but the sheer convenience of it and price peeked my interest.
+Chaos8282 It's a Sawyer Squeeze.
Me and one of my buddies are going camping down in shawnee, any suggestions on spots?
If you're looking for a cool hike with an overnight go to Indian Point just below the Garden of the Gods Area. I have a video on it. I did a couple nights there. Awesome spots. If you wanna go in deep check out the Lusk Creek Wilderness or Panther Den. Also awesome areas. A section hike on the River To River Trail will yield some exploratory fun for you too. You can get to it from the Indian Point parking area. This is the only area of the R2R trail I'm familiar with. Yeah start at Indian Point trailhead. Get a map. You won't be disappointed. Hope you all have a blast! Please pack out your trash.
Bell Smith Springs has a proper campground with pit toilets and water source, so does Ferne Clyffe. Both areas have awesome trails.
Nate Buker Thanks!
The first time I watched this, I thought the peanut butter/ ramen thing was a bit bizarre, but i actually ended up trying it earlier, and it was quite tasty !
Don't forget the curry powder!
i just came back from backpacking in the garden of the gods over thanksgiving weekend, such a beautiful place. i made it down to one horse gap lake, such a beautiful place, and i love being able to just find a spot and camp. Dispersed camping is probably a felony in northern illlinois where im from. I love going down to shawnee!
I'm jealous! I'd love to hit the area in the Autumn and I never made it
to One Horse Gap. You're right about northern Illinois, there's nowhere
to go if you're into wild camping.
Me and my woman have horses and we go through the gap quite often, life is good.
Do those tick guards work? I noticed you had them on when you were cooking.
+Mr. Rellik Yeah those gaters kept everything out of my cuffs and shoes. Thanks for watching and commenting!
+Nate Buker neat I'll definitely have to get me a pair I've always just used duck tape if I used anything those are a lot less homeless looking and probably more effective & definitely beats picking ticks off the sensitive parts. Lol
They were more usefusl to eliminate burrs, thorns and poison ivy excursion to my ankles. Ticks weren't a big deal really. Headwear was the key on that tip methinks--Repel and smoke for the vermin.
Nice! Is that a Hennesy Hammock? I have the same one...
Hennesy Asym Zip. Standard fly. Done many storms in that.
same one I have. I Got the standard fly as well, but one night rain came in sideways and blew in from the end. (Florida T Storms don't play around ) so I went and upgraded to the large Hex fly. Besides my OCD didn't care for the trapezoidal shape...
Do you use the snakeskin deployment/packing system with the larger fly?
yes sir! I have a set on both tarps. I keep my smaller one in my day pack. I love them. Very well made. I ordered the second fly with a set because of its ingenious design...
Haha magic lid remover.