Three Lakes Trail (Indiana) "Backpacking" - June 2017

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(Book-length trip reports of most of my 'big' hikes, stories, reviews of my favorite places I've stayed and eaten, and gear reviews. There are many unlisted KZbin videos embedded within the articles).
This video covers a 'day hike', training hike that I did on the Three Lakes Trail in Morgan-Monroe State Forest near Martinsville, Indiana. The hike was actually done over two days. I call it a 'backpacking' trip because I did carry my full backpack for the entire hike, though backcountry camping is not allowed on the Three Lakes Trail
I originally planned to publish this hike as part of a 'Hiking Indiana' series I planned to do which would cover many of the great non-backpacking trails that Indiana has to offer. In the end I never completed any more videos in that series, and didn't end up publishing the Three Lakes video.
But I do think it's an interesting video because I did a ton of 'walk through' shots that makes it almost feel like there was a separate film crew along with me in spots (there wasn't!). Also, I used a wireless microphone for many shots which adds some 'color' as well. Hiking in Indiana is never going to compare with hikes in the mountains out west, but for anyone interested in hiking the Three Lakes Trail, or for anyone interested in 'tagging along' with me, I think you'll find it an entertaining video.
And it was also a hike with both my Labs, Jaden and Bailey, so that's always fun!
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

[@user-op1il7oy4u]

Best way to go hiking from an arm-chair after meniscus surgery. Thank you, David

[@larrybell5144]

It is always a treat to accompany you on your adventures! I am very grateful for your guidance, hints, and narration. Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@thomasland-cg3jo]

Nice, informative video of a fairly challenging hike, also a good training hike for more difficult pursuits. The dam for the third lake, Beanblossom Lake, was washed out in November 1993. The lake used to reach the creek bottom before the long uphill along the power line right of way. The rock/earth feature you crossed below Bryants Creek Lake is a sort of cofferdam built to contain Bryants Creek while the lake dam was being constructed in the early 1930s. The groves of pines were planted by the CCC workers in the 1930s to help restore the eroded soil caused by farming. Hard to imagine by today’s appearance, but 100 years ago the state forest was all small farms. There are several old home sites and small graveyards scattered around the woods if you know where to look.

[@dnmccurry]

This is awesome!! Love your dogs. Born in Indiana. I’m a hosier. Been to Mount LaCount with my family. Now live in Montana. Wouldn’t leave Montana.

[@JoshEbersole]

I’ve been eagerly waiting for more videos from you. Can’t wait to see more videos this year!

[@debgittins7426]

11:15 for a moment I thought the dogs were sharing in a cheddar cheese spread snack.

[@Mike-cj3nw]

I recommend the Galuiro Mountains in Coronado National Forest Arizona. Not in the summer monsoon season.

[@mikecarrington4297]

Loved this video

[@marilynwolf4439]

Thanks, David! The standup shots with the wireless mic work very well.

[@danstilger1866]

Awesome! Love your videos. Hopefully one day we can hike together. Also a hoosier

[@mindywong3839]

💜👍

[@cscow99]

Do you carry leashes for the dogs incase you run into a ranger or some jerk that gives you grief over the dogs?

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, I always carry leashes. I haven't had to use them very often but they get put to use if I ever run into people with other dogs. They also get put to use often in places like Red River Gorge, Big South Fork, and Savage Gulf where there are scary cliffs everywhere. And horses... oh boy, definitely need them whenever there are horse around. My biggest fear with the dogs on hikes in Indiana (Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Deam Wilderness, etc.) are snakes - I never worried about it too much until one day a guy on the Low Gap Trail was pointing to me about a Copperhead he had just seen next to the trail. Yikes! And not long ago Christian, the dogs, and I ran into four timber Rattlesnakes just off the trail on a Peninsula Trail hike.

[@msulli1971]

They can laugh all they want Morgan Monroe hills are STEEP. As for the third lake, the damn just gave out in a rainstorm water went over an washed it out