If you can tell by my absence, the past few months were a bit of a black hole. While I was out hiking, I neglected posting about it due some forces in my personal life. After coming back from hiking Mt. LeConte (more about this soon!) I was let go from my job somewhat abruptly. This left me with a lot to think about but I’m happy to say I came out the other side with a new position and work schedule that will allow me more freedom to get outside during the day. Having mornings to myself with also allow me more time for blogging at my favorite coffee shop.

I’ll be sharing more on some of my outdoor goals for the year and expanding my content beyond single hikes. I have more to share and more conversations to get started.

This leads me to my first hike of the year which is also my first hike in the 52 Hike Challenge for 2020. I started the challenge before but had major difficulties getting out in the Midwest without a car and a reluctant hiking partner who did. I now have a used Subaru Forester and can’t wait to double up on adventures this year in Missouri and the surrounding area 🙂

My first hike in the challenge was on New Year’s Day in the Shawnee National Forest. Though a short trail, the Rim Rock Recreational Trail offers a fun side maze of trail through some large rock formations. I absolutely love Shawnee and try to get down there at least once a year since it’s only a couple hours drive.

The trail was greatly loved by our dogs who had been getting restless in the cold of the winter without any hikes or long walks.

We stayed at the coziest cabin only minutes from the trailhead which was the perfect place to decompress after an adventure. The Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins are situated on a small farm with a short hiking trail around the perimeter, some llamas, chickens, and a super goth looking goat I was in love with.

The cabins had all the basics needed including firewood, screened-in porches, and a coffee maker. I brought my own coffee but they did have Folgers available. We spent New Year’s here far from the fireworks and gunshots of St. Louis where we live, playing cards and hanging out with our dogs.

Hike #1: Rim Rock Recreational Trail

Length: 1.7 miles

Elevation gain: 360 feet

AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/illinois/rim-rock-recreational-trail

Last weekend I went back to Mastodon State Historic Site to hike the Limestone Hill Trail again with my dogs. I had intended on adding the smaller loop on to the hike but it was harder than I imagined to take both dogs hiking by myself. I’m sure it will get easier as the puppy works on his training but maybe they just need to be on separate leashes. They got themselves wrapped around a tree more than once 🙂

The fall colors on the hike were amazing though! I don’t think they’ll stick around much longer but was so happy to enjoy them on at least one hike. This made for hike 4 in the 52 week challenge and I’m still on track*. It’s a cold and wet forecast this weekend but I’m hoping to still get out there.  

*This post was originally part of my 2019 52 Hike Challenge which has since been tabled until next year.