Known for its unglaciated, hilly landscape, this remote counterclockwise backpacking loop in the Driftless Area of Iowa showcases the state's most rugged terrain with a route that crosses ravines, climbs sandstone bluffs, and provides views of the surrounding hardwood forests and wildlife.
After breaking camp our group drove to the start of the trail. I stepped onto the backpacking trail from Brown's Hollow Trailhead in the crisp morning air, eager to explore this corner of Iowa and get back into local overnight backpacking. The trail started out gently enough. A wide, packed earth path winding through towering hardwood forests with leaves ablaze in fiery reds and golds...read more.
I would have enjoyed a warm and restful night of sleep, if it hadn't been for whatever creature attempted to push its way underneath my sleeping pad from the outside of the tent. Not sure if it was a snake, or some sort of burrowing animal, but it was pushing hard. So much so that I could feel it through the air mattress. I pushed down through the air pad and whatever it was retreated. Needless to say, I didn't sleep much after that...read more.
