Big South Fork Day 2-Fall Branch Campsite to Station Camp

11 map miles
13.11 recorded miles

Well today was interesting for sure. It felt like forever before I made it to Bandy Creek. I woke up too late so I made it there at lunch time. At least I got a sprite from the vending machine to go with my buffalo chicken sandwich. I got my permit and hiked back to the Trace. The next few miles were strenuous because of the mud due to horses. I even saw 2 horses go by and one was super skittish of me. I made it to the intersection of Laurel Branch Trail and decided to use Laurel Branch Trail as a short cut to my campsite back on the Sheltowee at Station Camp. Well this was the interesting part. The map said taking this trail would save 3 miles but what it didn’t say is how strenuous and overgrown it would be. There were major creek crossings. I crossed in my Gortex boots and my feet still got soaked and waterlogged. I lost the trail for about 20 minutes and the trail was rocky and ridden with downed trees. It was very hilly and I wish I had just taken the Sheltowee because it wasn’t worth saving 3 miles for. And actually, it ended up only saving 2 miles according to my gps tracker. The trail was pretty at some points, but it is still winter so the trees in this area were gray and barren. I filtered some water in the creek and made it to a nice campsite a few minutes later. I have 24 miles to go so I’m right at the halfway point. Let’s hope my boots dry some when it drops down to 34 degrees tonight! 😂