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Hiking/Backpacking thread

WildcatfaninOhio

WildcatfaninOhio

All-American
May 22, 2002
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Milford, OH (originally from Covington, KY)
Hoping there are other hiking enthusiasts on the board that might be interested in sharing experiences. Hiking has become my favorite outdoor activity and I'm always up for new places to explore.

This week my girlfriend and I took a trip down to Berea, KY to hike the Berea College Forest. Some really good views in there. Lots of uphill hiking to get to those views, but all were worth it. We hiked to East Pinnacle, Buzzards Roost (there were lots of buzzards), Eagle's Nest (there were no eagles), and Indian Fort Lookout. That day we did over 22,000 steps, just short of 10 miles, and 97 floors of elevation change. Highly recommended.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/kentucky/berea-college-forest
 
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WildcatfaninOhio said:
Hoping there are other hiking enthusiasts on the board that might be interested in sharing experiences. Hiking has become my favorite outdoor activity and I'm always up for new places to explore.

This week my girlfriend and I took a trip down to Berea, KY to hike the Berea College Forest. Some really good views in there. Lots of uphill hiking to get to those views, but all were worth it. We hiked to East Pinnacle, Buzzards Roost (there were lots of buzzards), Eagle's Nest (there were no eagles), and Indian Fort Lookout. That day we did over 22,000 steps, just short of 10 miles, and 97 floors of elevation change. Highly recommended.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/kentucky/berea-college-forest
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Going to hike the Pinnacles there next weekend. We’ve hiked all around SW Ohio and parts of KY. This year we’ve hiked in Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York also.
 
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Watch out for those wild berries. See everyone soon. XOXO

mccandless-580.jpeg
 
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WayneDougan said:
Hiker Brainard Lake in CO last weekend. Pro tip; get a parking pass before you go. We had to walk 2.5 miles just to get to the start of the trail, so that added 5 miles on to what became a 15-mile total hike.
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That’s some damn fine scenery. The parking scarcity thing out there is a bummer for sure. Had similar stuff this summer.
 
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Hiking and backpacking are my primary hobby. I love it and try to go as often as I can. Last bunch of years I’ve gone ultralight with my kit and it’s awesome. Recently did a trip where I had to haul a lot of weight and I’ll never do it again. Nothing better than getting out there away from it all and knowing you’re good to go.
 
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My uncle Sam asked me and some friends to help him out many years ago in the Taurus mountains near Izmir Turkey. The favors involved some hiking. We saw camel caravans and herds of sheep with their guard dogs and the wolves looking for a meal. We saw a bunch of kids diving off a cliff into a pool below. Great sightseeing, but Sam insisted we camp out and I love creature comforts. Camping out sucks.
 
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Love hiking. Headed to Shenandoah in less than a month. Don't get to go as much as we'd like.

Park Predators is a great podcast if you are into outdoors and murder mystery...just fyi.
 
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Love hiking the Appalachians when we go back to Tennessee during the summer. Love the Roan Mtn/Carver's Gap area on the border with NC, as well as Grayson Highlands Park and The Channels in VA and the Pisgah National Forest around Brevard and the Linville areas in NC.

If you're ever in Roan Mtn and hungry, treat yourself to this place. Sometimes, we go hiking just for an excuse to eat here.

www.smokymountainbakers.com

Smoky Mountain Bakers And Wood Fired Pizza

www.smokymountainbakers.com www.smokymountainbakers.com
 
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Phil McKracken said:
heading to Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park in 2 weeks. Recommendations appreciated…
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The hikes nearer the other end of the park, away from Estes Park and over the divide nearer to Grand Lake entrance , are better IMO. Way less hikers on the trails.
 
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gollumcat said:
The hikes nearer the other end of the park, away from Estes Park and over the divide nearer to Grand Lake entrance , are better IMO. Way less hikers on the trails.
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+1. However many of the trails on the Grand Lake side of the park were closed due to the fire that ripped thru there last summer. I would assume they still are. Check RMNP website. There are some great trails higher cup but you could run into some snow this time of year. It snowed the other night
 
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Anybody got any interesting trips planned? I’m hoping to hit Pictures Rocks early October for one last trip.
 
Wildcats1st said:
Wilderness areas are the best place for backpacking multi night trips.
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Definitely planning on visiting Bob Marshall next time I’m in Montana. Been to Glacier twice. Probably leave it to the ridiculous crowds next time.*

*OK, probably not. Hard to resist Glacier.
 
chroix said:
Anybody got any interesting trips planned? I’m hoping to hit Pictures Rocks early October for one last trip.
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Hoping to get back to Hocking Hills State Park (central Ohio) first week of October. We’ve been there a dozen + times, and it’s awesome every time. Lots of exposed rock cliff faces, lots of streams and waterfalls, and really nice trails. It’s always fairly crowded so we’re hoping to get there on a week day, and definitely before the leaves change which will bring even larger crowds.
 
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WildcatfaninOhio said:
Hoping to get back to Hocking Hills State Park (central Ohio) first week of October. We’ve been there a dozen + times, and it’s awesome every time. Lots of exposed rock cliff faces, lots of streams and waterfalls, and really nice trails. It’s always fairly crowded so we’re hoping to get there on a week day, and definitely before the leaves change which will bring even larger crowds.
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I’ve heard great things about Hocking Hills. Pictures from there look amazing.
 
I do just walks but my daughter who lives in Denver is big hiker. They hike Peaks they call 12s,13s and 14s. She has done 5 14s this year and several 12s and 13s. I can't imagine doing those heights at those elevations!
 
chroix said:
I’ve heard great things about Hocking Hills. Pictures from there look amazing.
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The best thing about it, for me, and what makes it worth the 2+ hour drive to get there, is that it has beautiful woods, exposed rock features, and water features. Plenty of places near me to walk through the woods. I got to go to Hocking Hills to see the waterfalls, boulders and cliff faces.

Best hike I’ve ever done (twice) is Hocking Hill’s Grandma Gateway Trail from Ash Cave to Old Man’s Cave and back. It’s 6 miles each way. Add in the extras to see the sights and explore a bit, and it makes for a 15 mile day, and 5+ hours. Well worth it.
 
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I'm trying to get back into it. I recently did some Iight hiking around Red River Gorge and, despite being down that way plenty of times before, I had never checked out the Natural Bridge. Pretty stunning. I was a little surprised about how there were so many kids just casually running around right by the edge of instant death, and how so nonchalant a lot of the parents were.

Glad to hear all the good things about Hocking Hills. I'm on the east side of Cincy and I've had that one down as a spot to check out at some point.
 
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It'saDoneDeal said:
Glad to hear all the good things about Hocking Hills. I'm on the east side of Cincy and I've had that one down as a spot to check out at some point.
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I’m also an east sider (Milford). Been a member at CNC for the last 10 years, so most weekends, except for summer months, I’m hiking at Rowe Woods. Our fall trips to Hocking Hills have always been quite a treat.
 
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WildcatfaninOhio said:
I’m also an east sider (Milford). Been a member at CNC for the last 10 years, so most weekends, except for summer months, I’m hiking at Rowe Woods. Our fall trips to Hocking Hills have always been quite a treat.
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I was up around that way a little while back and stopped in at The Governor for some breakfast. That place was busy for a reason and was fantastic. Really cool area.
 
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We hiked parts of the Rocky Mtn NP in September. I did not realize that the NPS was requiring entry passes. It is a smart idea to get those before you go. We entered this time off the Grand Lake side. Other than seeing the fire damage close to the entrance, the hiking was awesome. I also love the hikes from the Estes Park side.

In June, I went to Salt Lake and hiked areas around the city and around Park City. I recommend.

Some of the best hiking can be done in the Olympic Peninsula. Incredible views, lakes, etc.

Have yet to hike Berea. Will do that! I love shopping the art district of Berea.
 
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Caveman Catfan said:
We hiked parts of the Rocky Mtn NP in September. I did not realize that the NPS was requiring entry passes. It is a smart idea to get those before you go. We entered this time off the Grand Lake side. Other than seeing the fire damage close to the entrance, the hiking was awesome. I also love the bikes from the Estes Park side.

In June, I went to Salt Lake and hiked areas around the city and around Park City. I recommend.

Some of the best hiking can be done in the Olympic Peninsula. Incredible views, lakes, etc.

Have yet to hike Berea. Will do that! I love shopping the art district of Berea.
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I was just talking to my girl about Grand Lake last night. Hell of a nice spot.
 
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Girlfriend and I decided to take a week off to do some fall hiking. Trip started today. We booked a cabin for two nights at Cumberland Falls State Park outside Corbin KY. There’s a trailhead right at the edge of the parking lot at the lodge that leads down the hill to Cumberland Falls. Gorgeous! We took trail #1 that follows the river downstream. Did almost 10 miles today. 21,000+ steps and 87 floors of elevation change. Had to cut it short because we were running out of daylight. Glad we did. I’m tuckered! Weather forecast for tomorrow looks like it will be a rain out. I guess girlfriend and I will have to find indoor activities to keep us busy until we move on to North Carolina on Tuesday.
 
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WildcatfaninOhio said:
Girlfriend and I decided to take a week off to do some fall hiking. Trip started today. We booked a cabin for two nights at Cumberland Falls State Park outside Corbin KY. There’s a trailhead right at the edge of the parking lot at the lodge that leads down the hill to Cumberland Falls. Gorgeous! We took trail #1 that follows the river downstream. Did almost 10 miles today. 21,000+ steps and 87 floors of elevation change. Had to cut it short because we were running out of daylight. Glad we did. I’m tuckered! Weather forecast for tomorrow looks like it will be a rain out. I guess girlfriend and I will have to find indoor activities to keep us busy until we move on to North Carolina on Tuesday.
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WFinOH,

I'm guessing you won't be playing checkers tomorrow.......
 
WildcatfaninOhio said:
Girlfriend and I decided to take a week off to do some fall hiking. Trip started today. We booked a cabin for two nights at Cumberland Falls State Park outside Corbin KY. There’s a trailhead right at the edge of the parking lot at the lodge that leads down the hill to Cumberland Falls. Gorgeous! We took trail #1 that follows the river downstream. Did almost 10 miles today. 21,000+ steps and 87 floors of elevation change. Had to cut it short because we were running out of daylight. Glad we did. I’m tuckered! Weather forecast for tomorrow looks like it will be a rain out. I guess girlfriend and I will have to find indoor activities to keep us busy until we move on to North Carolina on Tuesday.
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Pics of girlfriend....
 
WildcatfaninOhio said:
Girlfriend and I decided to take a week off to do some fall hiking. Trip started today. We booked a cabin for two nights at Cumberland Falls State Park outside Corbin KY. There’s a trailhead right at the edge of the parking lot at the lodge that leads down the hill to Cumberland Falls. Gorgeous! We took trail #1 that follows the river downstream. Did almost 10 miles today. 21,000+ steps and 87 floors of elevation change. Had to cut it short because we were running out of daylight. Glad we did. I’m tuckered! Weather forecast for tomorrow looks like it will be a rain out. I guess girlfriend and I will have to find indoor activities to keep us busy until we move on to North Carolina on Tuesday.
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Is that your girlfriend in your avatar???? (If not, does she know you identify with that girl? Or, is it the beach?)
 
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