Ozark Highlands Trail | Hurricane Creek Wilderness | 103.7 - 123.8

I return to the Ozark Highlands Trail for the first backpacking trip of 2020. Section 6, a 20 mile section, travels through the heart of the Hurricane Creek Wilderness Area in the Ozark National Forest. Unfortunately I had to bypass the most scenic portion, as the first crossing of Hurricane Creek, a national wild & scenic river, was too high to safely cross. To be honest, this was the first time I’ve been legit scared in the backcountry. With temps in the 30’s & the previous several days sub-freezing - hypothermia was a real concern. After several failed attempts to cross, I made the decision to use the high water bypass trail instead. Don’t take this crossing for granted - live to hike another day!