I have always wanted to try getting covered in mud but I live in Pennsylvania and there aren't any good opportunities for that too close to where I live. And from what I gather, Pennsylvania overall isn't really the best state to look for mud. So my question is, what states are best for traveling to to have that kind of experience?
I find the best state to find mud in is wet but like a paste.... All kidding aside, you want to try to find areas that have good wetlands or quaries or nice big rivers or farm lands. I know that Il (my State) has a few good Quaries and Wisconsin has a bunch of wetlands area. I know that Jayce and Ariel have a few spots they like to use, so maybe send them a message and ask for more one on one suggestions???
Ariel said: we have some amazing mud on the banks of the Ohio River here in Indiana.....on the Indiana/Kentucky border.
Doesn't the smell or bugs or fear of ticks ever get to you? I know you have been doing outdoor shoots for ages but it's something ztd and I fear
I've been going out into mud in nature a lot too, and the smell is unpleasant but bearable sometimes (in marshier, stagnant mud), but bugs aren't a problem a lot of the time where I've been. Bug spray does a great job at keeping mosquitoes and such away. But finding mud varies greatly between states; there's not much in Utah or lot of the west. Lots more in the east from what I've heard, and maybe worse bugs over there too.
Some mud, like brand new sand bars on receding rivers, is completely smell-free and almost clean clay and silty quicksand. The worst bugs I found there were ants trying to make anthills in the fresh soil, so I usurped their tentative home.
Ariel said: we have some amazing mud on the banks of the Ohio River here in Indiana.....on the Indiana/Kentucky border.
That actually makes sense. The midwest in general has some of the best quality mud in my opinion... Missouri has good mud as well... good color/thickness/consistency etc
polishph06 said: Doesn't the smell or bugs or fear of ticks ever get to you? I know you have been doing outdoor shoots for ages but it's something ztd and I fear
I know everyone is different, but I've found I actively enjoy smelly mud and even seek it out specifically!
I'm inclined to agree with Otter. There's just something about the smell of decaying debris that adds to the fun in the funk. I do appreciate the clean clay sediment at quarries, but that smell... Gets me hard.
itjustfeelsgood said: I have always wanted to try getting covered in mud but I live in Pennsylvania and there aren't any good opportunities for that too close to where I live. And from what I gather, Pennsylvania overall isn't really the best state to look for mud. So my question is, what states are best for traveling to to have that kind of experience? [/
quotThere's a quarry in South East Penn. that several wammers here goes to. Maybe contact them??? e]
In the land of 10,000 lakes the best time is mid-spring to early summer. Basically when the snow melts and the frost is coming out of the ground its quite spongy. But be careful of the ice mud that develops just beneath the surface.
I have found some good mud here in NJ especially along the bays, and in the Pine Barrens. Just need to watch out for ticks and bugs, and be really really careful of the tides.
The only reliable good mud in Nevada is the Lake Mead mudflats in summer after the lake level drops. Same for Lake Powell in Utah. Texas, Georgia, and Florida have clay and phosphate mines with lots of settling pond mud. There is mud in a lot of other States that have quarries with washing operations. I've seen photos of good quarry mud in Pennsylvania but keep in mind that quarry mud is sort of a moving target as it comes and goes in different quarries based on their operations and whether the mud can be accessed surreptitiously.
Ariel said: we have some amazing mud on the banks of the Ohio River here in Indiana.....on the Indiana/Kentucky border.
Doesn't the smell or bugs or fear of ticks ever get to you? I know you have been doing outdoor shoots for ages but it's something ztd and I fear
You forgot snakes (of which I remember someone telling me a story where they got bit by one mudding; Jayce I think). They are much more prominent in the south and midwest too. Fuck snakes...fuck snakes with fire.
When people question why Americans need assault rifles, flamethrowers, and tanks; I reply, snakes...also bears. And by that logic, Australians should be legal to carry white phosphorus, depleted uranium, and neutron bombs
The best mud is in Maine. The salt water bogs at low tied are some of the best gray clay and mire I've ever had the fun of getting messy in. Then further inland you have a ton of clay pits and fresh water bogs near almost any flowing water. Plus Maryland near every river and stream has large river silt pits cause of all the small dams installed around the 50s and the mud is amazing. I've now found 5 old water pump houses with concrete pits over 6ft deep. The grates let the water in and don't allow sticks and twigs to get in so the pits are amazing on my profile I have some pics of said pump hose and both pits inside. If anyone would like to know the locations I'd be happy to share . I kyak all the streams every year and chose which pits are best.
I'd love to know of some good locations in Maryland, only ones I know of are too public or in plain view. Quarries are VERY closely watched, unfortunately.
I used to frequent a spot near York Haven, PA along the Susquehannah River that isn't too hard to get to, and is on a public right of way, mud isn't particularly deep...
The best mud/clay I have ever been is underground when caving. UNCTIOUS stuff made me so hard I could hardly concentrate on caving....
Some of the southern states have amazing silty red clay..... I used to visit a gay campgrounds (River's Edge, in Dewy Rose, GA), that had excellent clay on the property. We had to work up our own pit, but that was part of the fun...
The one spot I pmd you about has its own peaceful cove to wash off in and it's out of sight of ppl. Twice I went down and ppl were fishing so I just changed what time I went lol but that was 2 times over 5 years. Very safe and it's a basement pit that overlooks the cove through a grate so very secluded... Just bring a headlamp your first time lol.
I've found good, deep mud in a lot of the eastern half of the U.S. The Midwest is great, lots of swamps and bogs to play in during the summer, and the whole place gets muddy in the spring after snowmelt season. I'm in the Northeast, and there is a ton of great mud here, from quarries to swamps to rivers to farms, you name it. Some of the tidal mudflats along the east coast are great, too (Mudlover's mud is in North Carolina and looks incredible, for example).
I think you just have to spend some time on Google maps satellite view, find a bike/hiking trail near bodies of water, and go off trail and explore, with a few changes of your favorite clothes to get muddy in!
If anyone does go to Maine let me know. I lived their for 6 years and vacationed their my whole life. If you bring a quad or kyak I can tell you where 3 hidden quarries are that are no longer used. Or good beach bogs.
I know a few good spots around Connecticut if anyone wants some suggestions. I marked them on that fancy schmancy map that someone linked to this thread.
Two are quarries, the other is my "personal" mud pit, which is just on secluded public land, but I dug it and keep it in fair working order. It's where most things on my profile were taken.