I hiked 10 miles or so of the Courtouis (pronounced “Code-a-way”) Section of the Ozark Trail not too long ago (see spiders post).
The “guide” from Bass’ River Resort, where I was camping, dropped me off at a trailhead that was supposed to lead me 7.5-8 miles through the woods back to the resort.
Unfortunately, the trail description in my OT guidebook for the first few miles of the hike matched the landscape around me, so I thought all was well with the world. Among the geographic features of this section of trail were caves and 30-50 foot cliff faces.
Several hours and a gazillion spiders later, I realized I was lost. The trail ended at a wide gravel logging road, which I walked approximately two miles down before finding a road sign and realizing that I was easily 5-6 miles from where I started my hike, and another 7-8 from the camp ground.
Unprepared for hiking an extra 7-8 miles that day, I had no choice but to turn around and hike back to my starting trail head in hopes that Bass’ River would be doing a float trip pick up that afternoon along the river near my trail head.
So there I was, looping back down the same trail after hours in the woods, waving my stick in the air to swat away the ginormous Missouri spiders making their webs across my trail. My trail, darn it. I conquered that trail (even if it wasn’t the trail I meant to conquer). In fact, I conquered it so hard that I hiked it TWICE that day. Take that, y’all. Smalltowngirl Hiker Extraordinaire.
When I got back near the trailhead, I saw this cave (again), and couldn’t resist going off the trail to take a look inside (for all the spelunkering readers out there, I didn’t go far inside, and I didn’t disturb anything in or around the cave).
So here I am, thrilled to have found my way back to my trail head, and amused (for reasons only one reader will really understand) at the one-armed, self-portrait cave pic. Nothing makes you appreciate finding your way home more than getting really, really lost along the way.
Home Sweet Home, photo by and of smalltowngirl
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It’s a good thing you had your lucky hat on, or you might still be out in the woods on YOUR trail!
Totally agree. The hat saved your life. I’m glad you are amused. It’s good to be happy.
You need help with your story though. Seems you have left out some interesting details. Additionally, the way I heard the story it was like 10 miles each direction you hiked, uphill…both ways. There were not spiders, but creatures like Big Foot, etc. There were bears sleeping in the cave…and other things also. Codeword: Oprah.
[...] There’s a beautiful pine glade several miles into the hike that would make a lovely picnic spot, but beware that in the late summer months, there are also spiders as big as your head. [...]