Lani
Trail Wise!
We all think we’re smart until we try to turn on someone else’s shower
Posts: 49
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Post by Lani on May 29, 2018 10:13:39 GMT -8
Hi! My fiance and I recently moved to the DC area after having lived in Florida for years. We're totally new to this general region of the US. We are getting married at the end of October and are interested in having a backpacking honeymoon. My question is, where should we go? We are looking for:
- Pine forests (i.e. not some place full of dead-looking sticks in the first week of November)
- Beautiful views (forest, valleys, whatever it might be)
- Access to a lodge where we can also have a night or two of "luxury" (i.e. a bed) at the beginning or end of the trip
- Trails appropriate for intermediate backpackers. We have gone backpacking near the TN/NC border, in the backcountry of Denali, and done the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu for reference. We're both in our mid-30s.
- Not so far to travel to from the DC area (i.e. preferably in a day's worth of driving distance and won't require a plane ticket)
I'm assuming that the New England area would be the best bet, but again, I'm totally new to this part of the US. Any suggestions would be welcome!
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on May 29, 2018 14:10:21 GMT -8
The Pine Barrens in New Jersey is actually pretty nice and hits many of your criteria. Plus the weather will be less iffy in November than in a place like Maine or NH.
Your "lodge" could be in Atlantic City if that sounds at all appealing.
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,931
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jun 1, 2018 12:43:43 GMT -8
Lake Placid / Adks is around 11 hours from DC. Not sure if that's too far for your liking.
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Lani
Trail Wise!
We all think we’re smart until we try to turn on someone else’s shower
Posts: 49
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Post by Lani on Jun 2, 2018 12:49:47 GMT -8
Thanks for these suggestions! I'd say 11 hours is probably the max that we would be willing to drive. I've never been to either of those locations. I am concerned about how the weather will be in early November - is it pretty variable that time of year?
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,931
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jun 4, 2018 10:42:49 GMT -8
I am concerned about how the weather will be in early November - is it pretty variable that time of year? Yes it is. You could have a nice sunny 50-degree day, rain, or a blizzard... or all 3 depending on your elevation gain. Maybe have a couple of options... like West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Adks... then choose a couple days before based on forecast. |
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Post by jmitch on Jun 7, 2018 8:32:25 GMT -8
Also consider:
Dolly Sods, WV
North Fork Mtn, WV
Black Forest Trail, PA
Loyalsock Trail, PA
Quehanna Wild Area, PA
West Rim Trail, PA
Catskills, NY
The Adirondack high peaks and the White Mtns can have very bad weather in early November.
Anywhere you go will be past peak for colors, however, you should have good color with the understory trees, like the beech, which turn color later.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 23, 2018 12:44:59 GMT -8
JMitch's suggestions are awesome, he's one of our very best contributors here.
Greenbrier in West Virginia could be awesome after Otter Creek or Cranberry Glades.
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Post by k9education on Jul 25, 2018 18:14:32 GMT -8
Just under 6 hours from DC is Grayson Highlands State Park/Mt Rogers, which is one of my favorite places to hike in the northeast. We piggybacked that with Roan Mountain, Linville Gorge, Mount Mitchell, etc. for a 2 week vacation several years in a row. If you were to honeymoon in the Asheville, NC area you would be 30 min to 3 hours of all of these hikes and more (including Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
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