Peninsula Trail (Indiana) Backpacking - September 2022

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Christian, Bailey, Jaden, and I took advantage of Christian being home for a fall visit to Indiana to squeeze in an overnight backpacking trip on the Peninsula Trail in the Deam Wilderness of Indiana. And that's right... my old trail partner Jaden was able to join us, which made it an extra special night in the woods. Jaden is now 16 years old (and 'change') so a bonus hike with him was beyond my wildest expectations.
I made a trip with Jaden on the Tecumseh Trail in October 2021 and another on the Peninsula Trail in June 2022. For both of those hikes I was sadly expecting they would be Jaden's last backpacking trip. But he handled both those hikes fine, and he still handles our daily walks well. So once again I was confident he could handle another Peninsula Trail hike. He has certainly slowed down a bit, but overall, he did well. I'm getting the impression Jaden doesn't want his hiking career to be over!
The Peninsula Trail is a 10-mile out-and-back hike to the shore of Lake Monroe, southeast of Bloomington, Indiana. The Indiana weather in late September can give you anything from cold and rainy to 90-deg and humid. We were fortunate to hit a window of ideal weather - clear, 70 degF, and low humidity. The highlight of any Peninsula Trail hike is watching the sunset while enjoying the campfire in your camp. We were treated to a magnificent sunset and a perfect evening with the dogs around the fire.
Overall, it was a wonderful, unexpected night in the woods with Christian and the dogs.
For those who have watched my other videos, this one is done in the same style - 25 minutes in length, intended to bring the audience along for the 'ride,' and with a still picture slide show with music at the end. If you just have a few minutes skip to the end and enjoy the pictures.
Equipment / Gear List:
Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3Q3Gsco
Lens: Nikkor 20mm f1.8 Z-mount lens amzn.to/3znpOP7
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

[@MarkfromArizona]

It's always a treat when I see you have a new adventure out. You bring joy to our lives with you inviting on the hike. There at the end, you talked about Jaden and how much longer on this earth..It brought a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye. The animals that live in our lives, are our family.

[@mindywong3839]

I watch videos ranging from food, travel, dogs, wolves, nature and others but I always come back to you when I need some peace in my mind. It's soothing to "hike" with you. And it's wonderful with your son's and both dogs' company. Hiking is the love of my life.

[@patrickhite3026]

Come down to Spring Mill...If you haven't been it's a beautiful hike..

[@thepsg]

Always happy to see another video from you! My wife and I are avid hikers, and have watched every one of your videos. We've watched Christian grow into a fine young man, and we always enjoy seeing Jaden and Bailey. Short trips close to home can be very special. We live in Asheville, and there are quite a few trails like that less than 30 minutes from our house.

[@annaputnam5389]

Glad to see Jaden still slowly tagging along. That was a sweet pick at the end, of the dogs with your son.

[@dhandman3744]

Definitely want to backflush that filter 😂😂, looked like a wonderful time in Indiana.

[@candaceneel7685]

Love your videos! Great to see your furry friends and Christian joining you! I love my home state of Indiana...❤

[@candacemeifert-polk7383]

Always enjoy your videos. Great to see Jaden and Bailey , and of course Christian with you.

[@forrestholt4988]

I have enjoyed your videos for years and hiked and camped in most of the places you have. The C. Dean area is my favorite in In. For the last all most 3 years I camp in a white 2014 converted camper van with a front plate that says RUN FORREST RUN. Stop by for a cup of Dunking Donuts coffee.

[@mikecarrington4297]

Thanks for another great video.

[@stephstargirl]

i hadn't been out the deam in a few years.. last time i went, the lake-side sites were overrun with 'permanent' tents from boaters... there were at least 3 tents up with no one in them. plus, parking has been crazy on the weekends.

[@mevl4822]

Thanks for making videos, you do a great job and it helps me get through winter.

[@jkuefner4573]

Congratulations on another successful trip! I find your videos very therapeutic. I have watched many of you experiences. Glad to see another positive outlook on the local landscape from a fellow Hoosier. May peace be with you!

[@nato2959]

You and your dogs: Always a love story... Thank you!

[@oldguyinthewoods]

I’m watching this as I pack for a 4 day camping trip with 4 brothers. One of which has lung cancer. Tippecanoe River State Park in Winamac. Thank you for sharing Jaden with us. Cheers my friend.

[@christinerolle3876]

Love seeing you four again in the trails.🥰😋🤩

[@biggtrux]

Great to see a video made in my own backyard in Indiana.

[@marku.4297]

Nice little trip. Good to see you guys get the old pooch out again. Thanks David.

[@mindyw2307]

It's comforting to know such beautiful places exist on the planet amidst crowded and noisy cities. Appreciate your sharing and always looking forward to new videos. I enjoy the slow pace of your trips.

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

Great vid and enjoyed watching this trip. Always a treat when you can take the dogs with.

[@SmittyGeek]

Always love your videos

[@KevinFryAdventures]

Although it is not a big hike, I still want to do this trip. It looks relaxing! I love that drone footage especially with that tune!! You created some memories with that clip. David, your videos are still the best.

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you, Kevin. We still need to get together for a hike and 'Weller exchange'! :-) I was thinking this was the weekend we were originally planning the Smokies hike. I'm still up for it if you can find a free weekend sometime soon.

[@raypoole7587]

Always good to see another one of your videos! Wondering if you might plan a trip out here to the Sierra Nevada's again in the near future!

[@elizabethwhite6364]

This country is beautiful too! Fun to see Jaden, he looked like he enjoyed this so much! and of course Bailey! Fun trip with Christian! Wonderful memories!

[@rnw4468]

Treat my soul as always , thank you

[@sharongildert6222]

So good to see jaiden out again.

[@nagaviper1169]

I took my son on that very trail in 2019. It was a practice hike for him as we were getting ready for our Glacier trip ( inspired by David Gray). It's a great little hike. My goal is to hike Glacier in a year from now. Fingers crossed

[@joshcarney9067]

I love camping there. Bud that old yeller lab pup won the lottery when she found you.

[@cottonballs2776]

Yessss. Love your videos thanks for posting

[@p.a.russell4210]

I'm so happy that you're still alive and doing these trips. The cheese may have slid off of the world's cracker, but I'm glad to see that you're still enjoying your (well earned) cheese & crackers!!

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

So good to see all four of you. Hug that old dog for me. ❤️

[@C-TOS]

Good to see the Grays together again.

[@Mike-cj3nw]

Might I suggest the Galuiro Mountains in southern Arizona 3 hours east of Tucson. Ash and High creeks are spectacular. Lots of pine, Douglas fir, pine, and large oak trees. You can find geodes but watch out for javelina. Also black bears and plenty of mountain lions. Coronado National Forest

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Fun trip David! Good to see you guys out with the pups! I still think there needs to be a David G cooking channel. lol well done my friend.

[@markmalby8353]

David you got me into backpacking this year. Grayson Highlands, Dolly Sods and the PA Grand Canyon. ( Highly recommend you try the later ). It’s the west rim trail and a 30 mile point to point hike. We did it over 3 days and was magical

[@dmahlgre23]

always fun to see what adventure you're on. Amazing to me is a wife who says Ok, how do you do that!!?

[@bolleolympus]

❤❤

[@TripleE76]

Great trail. I was hesitant to filter water from the lake though.

[@TripleE76]

Assume you went right at the trail’s end for that site?

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, pretty much. Right to the end of the trail, hang a left, and I think it was the 2nd (3rd?) site you some to. Probably about 100 yards south of the main trail after you turn left.

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

It’s late January 2023, how is Jaden doing….❤

[@EvanRo]

Dan Becker sent me to ur channel. He said he wants to do a trip w/ u.

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

Everything alright with you and your family?

[@Sparker408]

I have a few questions about the park if that's okay? I'm planning a camping trip and I was wondering just how safe it is to leave a car parked overnight. Without sounding to paranoid I'd hate to have my jeep broken into. Also, are teenagers or rowdy people ever a problem out there? Should I bring a firearm for the unexpected?

[@rogermueller9143]

i would be sad if you didn't do this hike

[@davidgrayin]

Yeah, I know. With Jaden approaching 17 years old (really!) I know he doesn't have a ton of time left so I feel like I need to take advantage of every chance I have to be with him out on the trails. It's certainly his 'happy place' and he seems to shed a bunch of years from his age every time we get out.

[@germanshepherd2579]

@@davidgrayin I've had labs thru most of my life.. The fact he is 17 years old is amazing..

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

You call this boring??? 😅 You should come to the Netherlands to hike, than you definitely no longer say that about your surroundings 😊

[@teddysmith457]

I don’t know I might be wrong. It looks like Jaden lost some weight❤ One steaks. I guess that must be Biden-nomics Budget cuts😂 again thank you David Gray and son. I just love what you share❤

[@davidgrayin]

Jaden has definitely lost some weight, especially in the back part of his body. His rear legs are really weak but he is still able to knock off a few miles per day (though certainly more slowly now). But he eats very well and everything is still functioning fairly well. I think Jaden is trying to tell me he still has a few more hikes in him yet!