Deam Wilderness (Indiana) Backpacking - May 2024

The second trip of the 2024 season took me back to the Charles Deam Wilderness southeast of Bloomington, Indiana. The original plan for this trip had been to do a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but a number of factors made a return trip to Gatlinburg not feasible. Fortunately, Christian had returned to Indiana to join us on a Florida spring break trip so he was able to join me for the short overnighter in Deam. Also joining for the hike were our two dogs - chocolate lab Bailey, who has been on many hikes previously, and trail 'newby' (and family dog newby) Millie, a rescued 4-month old puppy terrier-black lab mix. (I talk more about Millie's story in the intro to the video at the beginning)
I've done many previous hikes in the Deam Wilderness going back to my first backpacking trip in 2010. Numerous Peninsula Trail hikes plus a 2021 hike to the same Tower Ridge/Sycamore Trail area of the Deam where this 2024 would take place. My plan was simple - get out for a night in the woods around the campfire with Christian and the dogs, blow the dust of the gear in preparation for my upcoming 2024 hikes, and see how Millie would respond to her first backpacking trip.
Hiking in late May in Indiana is a bit of a 'long green tunnel' experience, without the great views you would find in the mountains or even on the AT. So this trip was all about simply a 'therapeutic' night in the woods, providing information for anyone that wishes to hike in that area of the Deam Wilderness (specifically campsite #,4 on the Sycamore Trail Loop), and perhaps provide a vicarious experience to those unable to experience a night out themselves in the 'Deep-Woods Off'-type Indiana forest-'jungle'.
For those who have watched my other videos this one is done in the same immersive style, though shorter than typical at only 20 minutes in length and without a slideshow at the end. My goal is to make the viewer feel as if they were along on the hike with us.
Equipment / Gear List:
Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3dHJvni
Lens: Nikkor 24mm f1.8 Z-mount lens amzn.to/2QZqNOo
Tripod: Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod amzn.to/3bH3Rvg
Camera shoulder clip: Peak Designs Capture clip system amzn.to/2wRdusp
Video Editing Software: Vegas Pro 16 amzn.to/2X5dKyu
Pack: Zpacks Arc Blast 55L
Tent: Zpacks Triplex
Sleeping Bag: Zpacks 20degF Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Therm amzn.to/2yjrUlj
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite amzn.to/39zju6v
Pillow: Exped Air Pillow UL amzn.to/2WYE5hZ
Stove: JetBoil Flash amzn.to/3azKRi7
Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 amzn.to/3dPtOL5
Pot: MSR Titan titanium 0.9L kettle amzn.to/3bF1RDB
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot amzn.to/2R0JvoW
Buff: Merino wool Buff amzn.to/3dCYHSC
Recharging Battery: Anker 3500mAH ‘lipstick’ charger amzn.to/2URI7G3
Camp Chair: Helonix Chair Zero amzn.to/2xzbwgh
Camp Shoes: Xero Shoes Z-Trek amzn.to/3bA3X7I
Wet Wipes: Survivorware Wet Wipes amzn.to/2JwbQ2e

[@mindywong3839]

I enjoy your videos very much. Was happy to see a new one. My partner of 14 years passed away suddenly 3.5 months ago. I was living with her in her country which was not conducive to walks. One of the reasons was also because she disliked walks and all outdoor activities. So during those years with her i enjoyed your videos very much because it was an outlet for those yearnings to be in the forest. I am now back in my country with her ashes and I have had 2 walks since coming back in early March. There are 3 more upcoming walks. I have no friends after being away for 14 years and am glad I managed to find a hiking meetup for me to forget about the immense pain of losing her at least for a few hours while in the peaceful and embracing forest. Hiking can be addictive and I hope you will continue walking and sharing with us.

[@dnmccurry]

Fellow Hoosier here who now lives happily in Montana. Love following your videos. Have for years. Good to see Christian joining you.

[@nagaviper1169]

Can't wait until I get the chance to move there myself.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

..As always , an awesome outing from David Gray Production ... OMG, Millie is such an amazing handfull .. she seemed to take the experience amazingly well with such energy .. I would have to scratch National Parks off the list ,, I could never hike without my dog ... Stay Safe ..

[@cgriggsiv]

Glad to see that you two are out and about and you have a little puppy I think you said her name was Millie congratulations even though when you didn't want one somehow someway someone always knows a good home for puppies a good person requires a good heart and you have a good heart

[@fernwogteveril6935]

2nd trip of the 2024 season! I went out here with my brother for the eclipse, it was awesome!

[@naoh4213]

Happy Trails David! Always grateful to see an upload! Bless ya!

[@ronosmianski812]

It's good to see you out and about! With a new dog to boot!

[@timlawson4314]

It's great to see you out and about with your son and a new trail pup. It's always makes for a relaxing Sunday afternoon to watch one of your backpacking videos.

[@TheWayOutdoors]

Gosh darn please continue to make videos! Tah-Pa-Teo forever! Very much looking forward to the next one, and Milly is adorable.

[@davidgrayin]

Your comment reminds me... I'm out of Tapatio packets! I need to buy some more to give myself even more opportunities to butcher the proper pronunciation. :-)

[@TheWayOutdoors]

@@davidgrayin Haha I watched your videos for nearly a decade and never said a word! Always looking forward to the next video as always David.

[@tennesseenana4838]

Glad to see you hiking and making videos again! Hehe - 'can you watch...' Yep, she's yours! Millie reminds me of some of the wonderful dogs I've been blessed to have in my life. When it's the right dog and the right time, somehow you get together. May all of you have many happy hikes together, and I'll enjoy watching them!

[@ervinslens]

Lovely ambience my friend, this looks and sounds so serene! 👏

[@stevewilken1837]

Glad to see y’all back on the trails ! Safe travels 👍👍

[@TuckerAdventures]

Awesome video, David!! Look at how happy Millie is!!

[@elizabethwhite6364]

Good to see you David and Christian! Such a cute new pup and Bailey is doing a great job helping to train Millie! Always enjoy your hikes! I've watched some of them several times! Thank you!

[@williamwirick886]

Great to see a new video from ya! Enjoy that cheese spread.

[@sandrab2884]

Yay, a new family addition! Millie is adorable! Happy to see another adventure with you and Christian. 😎

[@dianajones7999]

Beautiful pictures with the drone !!!!

[@mikecarrington4297]

Glad to see video today! Thank you

[@markvorhees6898]

Great video Dave thanks 👍

[@dwightupton4520]

Great to see you are back on the trails. The new pooch is a good addition. I live on trails vicariously through you David because my best friend and fellow hiker and my dog both died two years ago and I suddenly became too old to hike alone. Definitely too old for another dog. Stay healthy and keep hiking with Christian and the dogs.

[@JoshEbersole]

So happy to see you got a new dog. She looks like a good pup. I’m always excited when you drop a new video.

[@jasonmears4393]

Great to see you back on trail, David. Cool, the dogs got to come along. Look forward to watching your next adventure.

[@nagaviper1169]

Never been on that trail. I'll check it out this year. Thank you as always for taking us along.

[@matt-du8vu]

It's so good to finally see you out on trail again!

[@C-TOS]

I missed these videos documenting your trails, I also miss the Dunkin Donuts coffee in the mornings!

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

Excellent first trip !! Really lush and green.. beautiful area !! Love your new dog !!

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@logike77]

Love your posts, David. Total fan!

[@conniejohnson9511]

Well, you just made me very happy!!! I was hoping you were going to be able to do more trips than last year. Looking forward to them all but especially Idaho!!!! Have fun! P.S. love your new little doggie. I don’t know if she knows it yet, but she just won the lottery!!!!! ❤️

[@slick7209]

David I’ve been there many times. Love that area wish I lived closer I live in Plymouuth in I see lots of ticks your pulling off I’m 100% positive that’s where I got Lyme Disease so be careful

[@davidgrayin]

I agree with being careful about Lyme disease, and I'm sorry to hear you contracted it. I've been on enough hikes pulling dozens (hundreds) of ticks off me that you can't help but be nervous and vigilant about it. The worst was a Big South Fork hike we did a few years back where there were a about ten stuck to me when we arrived at the shower at Charit Creek Lodge. After the trip I coincidentally had a doctor's checkup appointment and I asked my doctor about doing a lyme disease blood test - he said 'well, we're not going to go chasing after lyme disease'. It all worked out ok, but unless you've been in the deep woods pulling 25 ticks off at a time you can't quite understand.

[@karentanner1078]

Enjoy your videos! Can’t wait for the Idaho one, we love Idaho!

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Good to see you back on trail!!! Great video and trip, David. Good to see the foodbag pit to use on trail also. Looks like Millie had a blast!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you, Jeremy. And thank you so much for the awesome Jaden/Bailey food bag. It would be getting a lot more use if I could just find some more time to get out in the woods!

[@danpost18]

Hey my daughter did the same thing to me with her dog she found. She gave me her dog for my birthday I didn't want her but now she has grown on me. She is my bicycle riding dog she follows me all the time.

[@clintwagner3753]

Im glad you are finally making it To Idaho this year. I think you will fall in love with the Sawtooths...

[@solonick79]

Great video! Got any good waypoints for dispersed camping in the hoosier national forest? Looking to take the family soon. Thanks! And keep vids coming

[@MitchWaldo-ws3tj]

Get them some seresto flea collars I know there not cheap but they last 8 months and I recommend it. It's worth your dog and you guys not to get any tics. GOD BLESS YOUNS.

[@markmalby8353]

Glad to see you back out there. Was out in the smokies myself last weekend

[@santiagohills3997]

Great to see it…these short hike videos always give me a kick in the pitooty. These days I tend to go big or stay home. But I could put something like this together in the San Mateo wilderness or Crystal Cove State Park, and be there in half an hour. Or San Gorgonio wilderness in just over an hour. Only bummer is no fires in most places near LA😥

[@amandar4980]

👍👍👍

[@danpost18]

Hey my daughter did the same thing to me with her dog she found. She gave me her dog for my birthday I didn't want her but now she has grown on me. She is my bicycle riding dog. She follows me all the time.

[@macthemesdj]

Ahhh....another David Gray video! 😎 Oh the memories but I believe it was Chester and Spike not Dexter.....those were the days...

[@ericcomp7032]

Hey Christian 👋 i was in Boulder yesterday.

[@Lemi-killmister]

My stepson moved to Boulder in 2020 he loves it there

[@oldguyinthewoods]

I love the Sycamore trail and especially number 4. It’s a great site, especially during the winter.

[@davidgrayin]

I loved it. That site amongst the tall pines with the opening above it is almost like a miracle in that 'jungle'. It felt like being in an oasis in the desert, and that stream right alongside is a big bonus. I'm glad we made that our plan because it made for a really nice quick night in the woods - good therapy!

[@lj-eden]

i've been waiting for a David Gray backpacking trip this year

[@RuralMontanaLiving]

Great overnighter, despite the ticks. Looking forward to more. Let me know if you need any logistical help with the Glacier trip, particularly if you’re starting/ending in the North Fork, my back yard. Congrats on the pup.

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you for the Glacier offer. This trip is going to be in the Two Medicine area so I won't be up in the North Fork section, but I sure would like to get back up there - probably my favorite area. And if/when I get back there I'll take you up on the offer - I realize you can use all the help you can get in the North Fork especially when you're going solo and trying to sort out all the logistics.

[@RuralMontanaLiving]

@@davidgrayin You're welcome. The Two Medicine area is gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing that one.

[@fredmaguire88]

Another great David Gray video! You mentioned that you will be out in Glacier Park in early September. I also drew an early September permit for the North Fork area of the park. When and where will you be doing your trip?

[@davidgrayin]

My permit is for the Two Medicine area. At this time it's my 'hope' to get out there - I started a new job in 2023 and still being the 'new guy' it's hard to squeeze in a bunch of vacation days. I have two week-long trips planned in July 2024 plus a spring break trip I took in May is making me a little skittish to take a 4th week of vacation, but it sure is hard to pass up an opportunity to hike in Glacier! You're going to love the North Fork area. Make sure to stop in at Polebridge Mercantile for a huckleberry bear claw.

[@BrianWest58]

That site has gone through many remodels over the years.

[@Hefmier]

Another great video!! However, watching Mille trying to take down the spam, alone, was worth watching. I got a big kick out of it. I hope that you get to do the Sawtooth Wilderness, as that is on my list as well. Greetings from Washington state!! :^)

[@mindywong3839]

😊😊😊👍👍👍🤍💙💜

[@dianajones7999]

Check yourselves so seriously for those ticks !!!! You definitely don't want Lyme's disease !!!!