Wednesday 4-8-26 Hiking Asher Creek Trail, Walking & Relaxing

 

Lake Wappapello State Park

We had a gorgeous day. The morning temperature was 45 degrees and the high was 76 degrees. There was a little breeze, which kept it cooler.

I woke up about 7:30 and got dressed. Then we had a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese spread and a meal replacement chocolate shake. Larry figured because it was going to be cooler today then tomorrow we should do the more difficult trail, which was the Asher Creek Trail. I put my pouch together. We got our hiking poles. We were ready to go about 8:15. Our neighbor across from us came over and wanted to visit. We met him and his wife yesterday, they're from Missouri. We talked about places we have been in Missouri and he said we have been to the best places. He's a fisherman and he has been here three times and love it here. 

After saying our good-byes we started our hike. The trailhead is close, it's just down the road from us about .12 mile. The trail was Asher Creek Trail Loop for 2.80 miles. The hiking maps suggested we hike the trail counter-clockwise so that's what we did. We were glad because the steepest climb was there. The total climb was 441' to the top but this section was most of it. There were peaks and valleys throughout the hike but they were gradual after the first one. The trail took us through the trees and is moderate. As we hiked was saw a turtle on the trail sunning, beautiful views of the lake and gorgeous forest. We climbed over a couple of downed trees, which were on the trail. We hiked over Asher Creek via a couple of wooden bridges. The creek didn't have any water in it. About halfway into the hike the trail Yd off to another trail, which is Lake Wappapello 12.75 loop trail. We continued on Asher Creek trail. We got to another place the trail Yd off and takes you back to the campground but we wanted to hike a little further. We hiked to the park entrance sign and the trailhead parking lot, which was .25 mile. This section had a little bit of water on it, we walked around the water like other hikers did. Once at the sign we turned around and got back on Asher Creek. This section of the trail took us along the banks of Lake Wappapello, where you can see beautiful views of the lake. We were about .25 mile from the campground and there was a bench so we took advantage of it and rested. When we were rested we both said maybe we should have just continued because our legs were starting to stiffen a little. By the end of the hike we had done 3 miles for two hours. We had a super hike.

Turtle on the trail

Trail through the trees

A bridge that crossed over Asher Creek

Lake Wappapello from the trail

  

The trail map tells you what to expect while hiking the trail. It said (2) natural surface dirt, mud, gravel, loose rocks, slippery surface and etc., (3)rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on the trail, (6) wood or stone steps, (7) steep grades and inclines over 10% and (9) bridges and/or structural crossings. I know this sounds bad but it wasn't that bad. There were a couple of connector trails where you can shorten the trail distance. They are where it Ys. The trail had red colored hiking signs we followed. Asher Creek trail is just for hikers.

After the hike we relaxed in the Minnie. Larry continued reading his book he started yesterday and finished it. He kept on current events and other news groups he follows.

Reading is fun

 

 While Larry read I played games. I played the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 5 games. it took me 10 minutes and 59 seconds, which put me in 16th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends. In the evening I played Angry Birds 2.

After playing games I continued reading Northern Boarders.

After dinner I walked around for an hour for 2.75 miles to get more steps. As I walk I saw a lot of beautiful green bushes with red flowers. I asked Google and Google said it was a Red Buckeye. By the end of the day I had 18,000 steps.

Red Buckeye

Railing on a cabin porch