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Gallery 2012: November 17-18, Sandstone Castle in the Ozark Mountains
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 From left to right: SM Garrison, Gunnar, Christopher, John Anthony, ASM Van Houtte, Chase, Mr. Klemmer, William, ASM Williams, Maxim, and Will Saturday (light green line) and Sunday (dark green line): between Richland Recreation Area (orange dot) and the Richland Creek and Devils Fork junction (purple dot), 1 hour, 1.5+ miles; moderate Saturday (dark blue line): from Richland Creek and Devils Fork junction (purple dot) to Twin Falls (red dot), 20 minutes, 0.5 mile, moderate
Saturday (dark blue line): from Twin Falls (red dot) to camp site (green dot), 2 hours, 2 miles, strenuous
Saturday (dark orange line): from camp site to mill stones on Big Devils Fork (blue dot), 1.5 hours (RT), 1.5 miles, strenuous
Sunday (light orange line): from camp site to Sandstone Castle (grey dots), 1 mile, 1+ hour, very strenuous
Sunday (dark green line): from Sandstone Castle to platform over Twin Falls on Long Devils Fork (orange dot), 1.5 hours, 1.5 miles, moderate to very strenuous
Sunday (dark green line): orange dot to purple dot, 45 minutes, 0.75 mile, moderate At lunch on Saturday, we met a hiker and his friendly dog. The dog was carrying both of their foods in a special backpack with a carrying handle to pick up the dog when crossing creeks and other dangerous obstacles. Saturday lunch Saturday lunch Just after lunch on Saturday, John Anthony taking some time by the Richland Creek. Just after lunch on Saturday, Christopher explores the Richland Creek. Just after lunch on Saturday, ASM Van Houtte shows Will and Maxim their location and final destination on a map. Twin Falls viewed from the trail On Saturday, coming back from the Twin Falls. The trail goes down to the falls, but we needed to go up and meet the Long Devils Fork above the falls. Campsite Campsite The troop went to explore Big Devils Creek and hiked upstream until the scouts met the old mill stones. Christopher allows us to evaluate the size of a mill stone. The sun goes down quickly in the little valley, and the temperature went down too. John Anthony and Christopher cooked spaghetti and many boys had a chance to taste the leftovers... Mr. Klemmer and Gunnar enjoy the warmth of their wood fire. A few joined later that evening to fight the bitter cold that was slowly blanketing the campsite. Sunday morning, after a hard climb with all the gear, we reached the East side of the Sandstone Castle. There are beatiful caves there, some big enough to lodge hikers for an overnight. One can crawl in many interstices to explore what nature does best. Will in front of the entrance of one small room. John examining a narrow and tall cave on the East side. One of the caves on the East side of the Sandstone Castle. Will coming out of a narrow and tall cave on the East side. John, Maxim, Will, and Mr. Klemmer in one of the largest caves on the East side. Where's Christopher? That is not Christopher! That is Waldo! I know, I know, so where's Christopher? I don't know! I can't see, it's too darn dark in here... Well, here is Christopher... And I guess Waldo took a hike... ASM Van Houtte and Maxim in a large cave on the East side. William and Chase coming out of a multiple entries cave on the East side. ASM Williams and Christopher in fron of a cave on the East side. Eastern view from the inside of a cave. Christopher and ASM Williams in yet another cave on the East side. Eastern view from an East side cave. Crevasse on the East side. Christopher and ASM Williams exploring the crevasse. Another crevasse on the East side. And another Eastern view from the inside of yet another cave on the East side. Another view from the inside of a cave on the east side with an opening toward the South. We all picked up our gear and went to the top of the Sandstone Castle (2068 feet) then down to the South West side. There are other caves that seem to attract a lot of people. Their access is easier (not much though) and the caves are larger. Troop 214 boys in the cave on the South West side of the Castle. Sunday around noon, back on Long Devils Fork, returning from the Sandstone Castle, filling up water bottles with fresh and clean water. Christopher and ASM Williams. Snack time on Long Devils Fork on Sunday.
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