Oh, I don't know about that... I remember being at Wildcat Hollow (former Scout Camp) and a sassafrasing Whippoorwill was jumping tree to tree getting closer to our site. Could hear him approaching from across camp. Yeah, he decided to setup shop right over our site for the friggin' remaining portion of the night. Not sure what I would have given for some night-vision goggles & a rifle, but I'm sure someone would have made good money.
LOL Yeah ours was far away and then decided to hang out with us the rest of the night. At first, I wished we could trade it in for the Doo Doo Bird lol
Hi Tuck , I camped at Indian Point about 10 days before you did and I was the only one camping in that area also . There were a lot of loud bird calls during the night that I could not identify . Such a great view during sunset !
I go during the week (Im retired). No water up there so take in what you need. I went last week because I caught a night in the low 50s doing some shakedown hikes to get used to sleeping in my hammock.@@HikingWithShawn
Tuck , I am retired too so it's great not being limited to weekends . I know the day you are talking about because I ALMOST went to GOTG and would have seen you there but decided to do my favorite hike at Bell Smith Springs instead . I really prefer to hike when it is cool. Hope to see you on the trail ! :-)
That spot you camped is only a 45 minute hike from the hiker's parking lot and certainly easier carrying a heavy pack . I am not as young as you are so I sometimes need shortcuts and a few more rest breaks . LOL . I will look for " Elephant Arch " the next time I am in the area .I love taking my friends into the wilderness area and show them " H " rock .It really is amazing how it formed under that overhang . Nice video , buddy !
We made the hike a little longer by starting out at Golden Circle Trailhead :D That is because Backpacker lot was so packed that people were parking along the main road. We were the only vehicle at Golden Circle from the start and at the finish :D
@@HikingWithShawn Thanks for responding. So maybe I should go to Like, Shawnee? What about dates? When did you go? A friend said in the fall it's OK. (like end of September)
The whippoorwill seem to never sleep! I always park camp by one. That was a cool area though. Thanks again for making video's. I loved hiking the area last summer, Can't wait to go back.
Good hike back & in! Yeah, I'm like you - need to do some more camping in the Wilderness Area there. When I did my Indian Point overnight, there were a lot of bikers there then too. Not so much early on that Sunday morning though there on the Observation Trail - practically had the place to myself! There does need to be some signage for the trailhead there & parking lot along the road.
A better title would have been "Wilderness Hiking" since there was hardly any camping footage; mostly hiking although scenery was good. But didn't really get a feel for the camping sites available or the areas suitable for dispersion camping, or any type of camping areas for that matter.
nice tent...is that a Kelty?...great campsite!....flipping amazing rock formations too....man I think you come across much more reptiles in Illinois..then I see in the swamps of Florida!.....what a cool place..glad you guys had a good time!
What a great hike!!! Those rock formations are awesome and great to see Michelle more ...lol little turtle 🐢 checking y'all out... Y'all have a great week... Glad your truck is all in one piece 👍😄👍 great video Shawn
@@HikingWithShawn all of that is packed. We want to see GoG , Pounds Hollow, Rim Rock and cave in rock. We won't be camping just spending the day and then staying in Metropolis. Where can we grill? Are there changing areas? Is there a don't miss spot thats off the usual path? We aren't hikers by any means just looking for a nice walk and swim.
+Kimmie The sites you wish to visit are great for first time users :) GoG Observation Trail will blow your mind when you see it in person. I’d go there for the sunset :) you can grill at Pounds Hollow/Rim Rock and Cave in Rock State Park. Fat Ed’s in Metropolis is a great place to eat as an added bonus! Enjoy your stay!
@@HikingWithShawn Thank you so much! We have Fat Ed's on the list. I asked all my coworkers and FB friends but no one had been down there, they actually thought I was joking. 😂 This has been on our list for about 15yrs. I'll check our itenerary maybe we can switch it up for sunset. I'm the boss but he's the driver 😁
I am DEFINITELY going to check out the Wilderness area at GotG! I heard someone call that banded rock "Starry Night Rock" because it looks like the Van Gogh painting. Anvil Rock, Starry Night, H Rock, and now Elephant Arch! Great video, man!
Hey Shawn, another wilderness area question. Is the Indian Kitchen trailhead a good spot for backpackers to park? Wanting to do some nights in Lusk Creek.
No. I believe Indian Kitchen is for day-use only. I suggest parking at Frank's Tract or the Lusk Creek Trailhead off of New Home Road near Eddyville. Indian Kitchen is a natural area, so no camping out there.
Yes and no. The original one was smaller, the new one I'm told is mainly so horse trailers can be parked safely without taking up too much room. Cars can still park there though - just be respectful of the horse people.
I’m going to look for Elephant Arch on my visit this spring🤙🏻 6:20
Nice!!
WANT TO SEE MORE VIDEOS ON YOU CAMPING
I agree!
Shawn hikes in Shawnee 🤔
Haha
Nice revisit to the Garden of The Gods... With the bonus of an overnight... Awesome!!! 👍😀
Yep it was a great time :)
Can't wait to go camping again. I had a blast even with that Whipporwill carrying on all night.
I got used to the bird actually lol
Oh, I don't know about that... I remember being at Wildcat Hollow (former Scout Camp) and a sassafrasing Whippoorwill was jumping tree to tree getting closer to our site. Could hear him approaching from across camp. Yeah, he decided to setup shop right over our site for the friggin' remaining portion of the night. Not sure what I would have given for some night-vision goggles & a rifle, but I'm sure someone would have made good money.
LOL Yeah ours was far away and then decided to hang out with us the rest of the night. At first, I wished we could trade it in for the Doo Doo Bird lol
Did an overnight at Indian point at GOG on thursday 6/13 beautiful weather, I was the only one there.
Hi Tuck , I camped at Indian Point about 10 days before you did and I was the only one camping in that area also . There were a lot of loud bird calls during the night that I could not identify . Such a great view during sunset !
I need to camp there. Maybe when it is a bit colder to ensure that I'm the only one haha
I go during the week (Im retired). No water up there so take in what you need. I went last week because I caught a night in the low 50s doing some shakedown hikes to get used to sleeping in my hammock.@@HikingWithShawn
Tuck , I am retired too so it's great not being limited to weekends . I know the day you are talking about because I ALMOST went to GOTG and would have seen you there but decided to do my favorite hike at Bell Smith Springs instead . I really prefer to hike when it is cool. Hope to see you on the trail ! :-)
That spot you camped is only a 45 minute hike from the hiker's parking lot and certainly easier carrying a heavy pack . I am not as young as you are so I sometimes need shortcuts and a few more rest breaks . LOL . I will look for " Elephant Arch " the next time I am in the area .I love taking my friends into the wilderness area and show them " H " rock .It really is amazing how it formed under that overhang . Nice video , buddy !
We made the hike a little longer by starting out at Golden Circle Trailhead :D That is because Backpacker lot was so packed that people were parking along the main road. We were the only vehicle at Golden Circle from the start and at the finish :D
When I hiked down there I picked up a lot of ticks. Maybe it was the wrong season. What date was the camp? Did you folks get any ticks?
I always seem to get more ticks around Garden of the Gods verses anywhere else in the Forest!!
@@HikingWithShawn Thanks for responding. So maybe I should go to Like, Shawnee? What about dates? When did you go? A friend said in the fall it's OK. (like end of September)
That looks like a great camp site. 🤙🏻
It was a great one :D
The whippoorwill seem to never sleep! I always park camp by one. That was a cool area though. Thanks again for making video's. I loved hiking the area last summer, Can't wait to go back.
I think they stalk me lol
Good hike back & in! Yeah, I'm like you - need to do some more camping in the Wilderness Area there. When I did my Indian Point overnight, there were a lot of bikers there then too. Not so much early on that Sunday morning though there on the Observation Trail - practically had the place to myself! There does need to be some signage for the trailhead there & parking lot along the road.
Indeed!
A better title would have been "Wilderness Hiking" since there was hardly any camping footage; mostly hiking although scenery was good. But didn't really get a feel for the camping sites available or the areas suitable for dispersion camping, or any type of camping areas for that matter.
nice tent...is that a Kelty?...great campsite!....flipping amazing rock formations too....man I think you come across much more reptiles in Illinois..then I see in the swamps of Florida!.....what a cool place..glad you guys had a good time!
My 1-person is a Kelty, the one in this video is a ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2 from REI :)
What a great hike!!! Those rock formations are awesome and great to see Michelle more ...lol little turtle 🐢 checking y'all out... Y'all have a great week... Glad your truck is all in one piece 👍😄👍 great video Shawn
Slowly but surely, I'm getting her in more videos haha
I love the way that you guys make sure to leave the Forrest clean! It’s important!
We are driving down overnight, arriving tomorrow morning. Any advice for first timers?
+Kimmie This weekend is supposed to be warm last I saw. Make sure you pack plenty to drink and bring bug spray. Where are you planning to visit?
@@HikingWithShawn all of that is packed. We want to see GoG , Pounds Hollow, Rim Rock and cave in rock. We won't be camping just spending the day and then staying in Metropolis. Where can we grill? Are there changing areas? Is there a don't miss spot thats off the usual path? We aren't hikers by any means just looking for a nice walk and swim.
@@HikingWithShawn also we are hoping to catch the sunrise tomorrow.
+Kimmie The sites you wish to visit are great for first time users :) GoG Observation Trail will blow your mind when you see it in person. I’d go there for the sunset :) you can grill at Pounds Hollow/Rim Rock and Cave in Rock State Park. Fat Ed’s in Metropolis is a great place to eat as an added bonus! Enjoy your stay!
@@HikingWithShawn Thank you so much! We have Fat Ed's on the list. I asked all my coworkers and FB friends but no one had been down there, they actually thought I was joking. 😂 This has been on our list for about 15yrs. I'll check our itenerary maybe we can switch it up for sunset. I'm the boss but he's the driver 😁
I am DEFINITELY going to check out the Wilderness area at GotG! I heard someone call that banded rock "Starry Night Rock" because it looks like the Van Gogh painting. Anvil Rock, Starry Night, H Rock, and now Elephant Arch! Great video, man!
I highly recommend it. You'll spend the whole weekend seeing what GotG Wilderness has to offer!
Hey Shawn, another wilderness area question. Is the Indian Kitchen trailhead a good spot for backpackers to park? Wanting to do some nights in Lusk Creek.
No. I believe Indian Kitchen is for day-use only. I suggest parking at Frank's Tract or the Lusk Creek Trailhead off of New Home Road near Eddyville. Indian Kitchen is a natural area, so no camping out there.
@@HikingWithShawn right on, thank you sir!
Great to see you doing some camping. I didn't know that trail existed! Really makes me want to go back even more!
When you do, let me know. We need to have a Nate/Shawn campout reunion :D
Golden Circle Trailhead? Is this a new trailhead?
Yes and no. The original one was smaller, the new one I'm told is mainly so horse trailers can be parked safely without taking up too much room. Cars can still park there though - just be respectful of the horse people.