Otter's Creek, Monongahela National Forest, June 2005

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From left to right, Monte Pearson (Wv), Larry Pearson (WV), Col. McGee (GL Gov), Jimmie Blackie MacClure (OH-Rep) Otter Creek Trail, Mongehela National Forest, Elkins WV Blackie at our first nights camp Monte at our first nights camp Larry at our first nights camp Heading down the trail Col McGee on the trail Blackie on the trail, he carries a BIG stick On the trail again Waterfall on the creek, one of many Wart's water hole?? we put the rock back Meadow we will put our second nights camp in Our second nights camp Blackie at second nights camp Larry at our second nights camp Our 3rd day on the trail, Blackie takes a break Monte taking a break, much needed Larry taking breather as well on our 3rd day Monte discovers that we are on the wrong trail Monte and Larry as we head for the most direct way down the mountain... the creek Blackie in the creek as we pause one of the waterfalls we climbed down the start of a whirl pool Monte checking out the drop out over a water fall that we must get down More of the creek we spent the day climbing through More of the creek We achieved the bottom after some six hours of rock climbing and waterfall jumping, cavern climbing, Blackie dances the jig Our 4th day a Bear Dog finds us and adopts us, as he leads the way down the trail Otter Creek, what beauty Mother Nature carved Monte's initials in this rock... it's HIS rock, his creek! Larry and Monte take a break Larry and the Colonel take a break Otter Creek, peaceful Another of many waterfalls

We got a rough start as someone forgot their horse and we went back for it as a take out vehicle. Once we arrived on the Otter Creek, all was well - for the time being. We hit the trail, the weather was over cast and boding, but dry and warm. He hit the trail and very soon come upon some Indians (modern hikers) who must have been hungry because they asked if we knew what vegitation they could eat, but having aked of us... they simply moved along the trail. Not knowing what the Indians had intended, friendly or foe... we thought it best to get as far down the trail as possible and disappear into the vegetation. Our first nights camp we found a pine grove tucked away from the trail that provided soft bedding, and ample fire wood and a source to the water. Soon darkness crept upon us and Larry and I turned in early as Blackie and Monte fed the fire and stood watch for the first few hours as they chatted on this and that.

The second day brought on a glorious day of sun shine. After breakfast of bacon and tea the COlonel made his way to the creek and tried his luck at catching a Trout or Crappy. I had a number of bites and lost my bait a few times until a crab carried my bait and hook up and under a large rock where I was forced to cut the line after not being able to retrieve the hook. So we hit the trail and made our way through the dense forest. We made good time and was having a grand time, until Blackie reminded the COlonel that he had forgotten the reigns to his horse at Blackies hobbled horse. So a quick check of gear, and a long walk back to the horse teaches us to remind one another to check for reigns (keys) before leaving the trail heads. WIth this blunder of the day, we decided to just make camp in the meadow under a few pines and some old growth until the Colonel and Larry return to camp. That evening it threatens to rain with some sprinkles and that was about all. Although it rained sprinkles all through the night.

The morning of the third day finds us all renewed and fresh and ready for the trail. With need to make up a bit of time, the Colonel opted to for go the morning fishing and hit the trail and make some distance. The trail and the Creek have a reputation for rain and lots of it in the warm months, and heavy snows in the winter. This winter being particularly hard the trail had been changed drastically by over growth and slides and down falls. Some causing some portions of the trail to be re-routed up and around some areas. Mother nature is amazing and although three of us where familiar with the trail, it was like being on a entirely new trail. This soon got us into some trouble though, as we attempted to make the second crossing... we crossed at the wrong place and eventually ended up on the wrong trail and on the very top of the wrong mountain. As soon as we discovered our mistake, we voted and opted for the most sure and direct route back down the mountain. AFter three of us made a trip back to horse for the reigns, we were not up for backtracking just to backtrack again. We wanted to keep moving and keep moving forward. The Rhodadendrens being so thick, if your familiar with the area... going over the mountain side was nearly out of the question (we did it before, and it was very very timely and exhausting, chopping for every inch you want to advance), so we opted for the option of following the creek. It didn't look so bad from where we stood and started, we could not have come all that far above the Otter Creek. So the decision was made to follow the creek and so we did. Follow the creek, more like fall-through the creek. We made a half mile or three quarters with no problems. Than the problems arose in the form of larger and larger rocks, water falls, rapids. We are talking rocks the size of cabins. SO we slid, crawled, swam, went over, around, on top of and even UNDER some of those massive rocks. When it seemed to be entirely too dangerous or impossible to make our way through the water, we hit the woods. Or I should say the Rhodadendren. Which proved so thick and cumbersome and slow that we made our way back to the water, time and time again. This is how we spent our day, some six hours in water and rocks and Rhodadendren. After the entire day was spent in such practice, we finally achieved the bottom and came out on the trail, exactly where Monte and Larry said we would. The bad news was, we needed to make the last crossing... not needed to - but wanted to, and it lies another hour down the trail. I kid you not, despite my training and knowledge, I was spent, I had no more. I spent more time hitting and picking myself up off the rocks or out of the water than I care to remember. Just telling the story makes my bones hurt. Any good unit is only as good as the weakest man... and this time it was me. Luckily I was in good hands with good trail partners, they put me in point, because we can only move as fast as the slowest man. I set the pace for the others. I don't remember how I did it, but I limped along as best as I could. I remember Larry uttering a few words of encouragement to me. Than we where there, the crossing - I didn't pause, I hit that water and crossed it with Larry right behind me. All he said was "We're here Dave, where ever you want to camp - pull the plug". I hit that other bank and did just that, pulled the plug. I hit that tree line and collapsed, and there I stayed. I rested as the others got out of the wet clothing they had on, I managed to make shelter for us, get out of the wet cloths... and that was it. Someone pulled the plug on me. Blackie offered me his blanket as well while he was not using it. It was wet, but welcomed. His blanket and he lit a candle next to me made a great difference for me. Had no strength to eat or get up, but he made me warm with that candle and blanket. The other nights had been warm and pleasant, this night... the temperature was dropping and had the air cold. I couldn't manage to dry my things, so all I had was a linen frock and a wool blanket. At first, I was really cold and even shivering until Blackie helped. But when he turned in and came for his blanket, I knew he did and missed that blanket. But my trail partner laid near by, so the heat radiating from him was a help.

The next morning we awoke, stiff but alive and well. We tended to drying what last few articles we needed to dry with what fire we had. Fire wood was scarce and the long walk to retrieve it just seemed out of the question after yesterdays adventure. I managed to try and dry a few things, I mainly wanted to eat. I gave up trying to dry the wool leggings and just packed them and the shirt I had on yesterday. I put the wet breeches back on and went on down the trail with them and a linen caped frock. We had company this morning, a hunter's Bear Dog found us after he ran right past our camp sounding off after a bear, he must have lost it or given up, he came back to our camp. He tried making friends with everyone, and was quite interested in Blackies trail food. He stayed with us most of the morning until he again picked up a trail and went running and sounding off after some more game on the Parson's side of the trail. We took our time and made good time for our stiff bodies despite the abuse of the previous day. Soon we found ourselves at the COlonels horse and we all climbed in and headed back to the Elkin's trail head to get Blackies horse. This some thirty miles by road and modern horse, a good half hours drive. We where coming down the service road to retrieve Blackie's horse when once again we where greeted with a familiar face... the Bear Dog. Can you believ it??? It was the same dog, we checked the brand and the tag. The Otter Creek in the book is some 11 miles long, but we clicked it off one time with one of the those step meter things and it came out to 15??? Any ways, can you believe the time and distance that dog made? It was a great time guys, thanks to those that came and attended and shared in the experience of Otter Creek.

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