foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Jan 17, 2016 14:39:22 GMT -8
I'm trying to plan a one to two night BPing Spring Break trip with my kids. I want to get them used to hiking long distances, but I don't want to discourage them too much, so I'm looking for easy to moderate trails in AL, GA, or TN. Dog friendly would be a plus also just in case I decide to take one of mine. What are your favorite trails and why?
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Post by rwtb123 on Jan 17, 2016 15:00:58 GMT -8
I don't know where you are located but if Ocala National Forest in north central Florida is doable it would be the perfect spring break introduction to backpacking on moderate to easy trails for the kids.Plus plenty of springs,glass bottom boats and other attractions nearby as well.The temperatures will be ideal,gently rolling hills,varied ecosystems from the sand pine scrub(the park is known for) to pine flatwoods,scenic wet and dry prairies and perhaps the best part for a 1-2 day backpack Juniper Wilderness with sand hills, sink holes etc.
All my backpacking in Ga/Tn/NC has been on the steepest most difficult trails(or the high country/balds where the weather can be unpredictable that time of year) so my favorite trails there will not be of much use to you...
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Jan 17, 2016 15:21:49 GMT -8
Central FL is a little out of my way, but I definitely keep it in mind for future trips. I'm in central AL. Some hills are good. Of course if my tailbone isn't healed by then, even I won't want the hills, so throw some suggestions anyway. As they get older, more difficult will be good.
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Post by rwtb123 on Jan 17, 2016 15:48:29 GMT -8
I would say spring break time the further south you can stay the better(say Al/Ga vs Tn/NC) particularly with the kids as the weather can still be variable in the southern Appalachian Mtns.I've heard a lot of good things about Sipsey Wilderness in central Al. and I am sure some of the Al. people will be around soon to tell you more about it.I've done the approach trail to Springer in Ga but that is very strenuous so I would say further up the AT in GA would be better.I think Vogel SP has some loop trails that connect to the AT so that area may be worth a look.I have only read about them as that area is part of the strenuous 50 mi. Ga. loop hike that I want to do(but is among the most difficult hikes in Ga and way more mileage than you are looking for).
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Post by ashepabst on Jan 19, 2016 7:20:06 GMT -8
I just got back from Sipsey. it's a great place to spend a few days on the trail. The dilemma with Sipsey is that the falls don't really run unless the water's pretty high and crossing the river when it's high can be impossible or inadvisable. and it's hard to get too far, or get to the more interesting trails in Sipsey without crossing the river.
take a look at Savage Gulf (South Cumberland State Park) in Tennessee. there are a few fun, relatively easy 2-night trips that I could recommend.
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T4
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Post by T4 on Jan 19, 2016 11:09:21 GMT -8
How old are your kids? Ravens Cliff Falls in North Georgia is a beautiful hike, and the one I first took our youngest son on. I believe he was 5 at the time. The majority of the trail runs along side the creek, with a few falls along the way to stop and explore. It's a round trip of just around 5 miles, and for the most part is a gradual incline with a very steep section with rocks at the end (which is optional, but fun for kids to explore). We have done the hike a couple of times now over the years, and our boys have never gotten tired of it. www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/hiking-to-raven-cliff-falls/
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Jan 19, 2016 11:54:42 GMT -8
How old are your kids? 10 and 11
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T4
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Post by T4 on Jan 19, 2016 12:14:57 GMT -8
In that case, the Coosa Backcountry Trail in Vogel State Park is also a good option. You can setup a base camp within Vogel State Park, and leave from there to do an overnight on the Coosa trail. Backcountry camping is allowed, with a permit. gastateparks.org/Vogel-HikingThere are also a number of other trails within short distance of Vogel, and you can also leave from Vogel and hike to Blood Mountain via the Bear Hair Gap Trail and the AT if you are looking for something a little more challenging for the kids (depending on how they do.)
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Jan 21, 2016 13:07:43 GMT -8
I've been to the Sipsey. It's nice. I know there are several trails. I'm just curious to know specific trails in different places.
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Jan 29, 2016 10:46:41 GMT -8
Is the Natchez Trace too far?
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Jan 29, 2016 13:54:53 GMT -8
Is the Natchez Trace too far? No. I guess I just don't think of MS as a place I'd like to visit. Of course I thought the same about AL a long time ago, and here I am living here. What about Natchez Trace do you like?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 14:53:17 GMT -8
Oh Sipsey....how I hate thee.
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Posts: 2,359
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Post by foxalo on Jun 30, 2016 16:12:43 GMT -8
Oh Sipsey....how I hate thee. What about the Sipsey do you hate?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2016 9:34:07 GMT -8
Hey! New member here! (like 2 minutes ago) So not sure how much weight what I post will have. lol
If this is their first trip and you just want like an out back pack over nighter, Oak Mountain state park has 4 backcountry sites and is right in central AL. It is dog friendly, not bad on terrain (imo), and site number 4 generally has water availability if you want them to get the experience of filtering.
Talladega National Forest also has some nice places that you can make longer loops that connect in parts to the Pinhoti. You can start at the Adams Gap Trail Head, go up the Pinhoti, then another trail, and then it connects back over to the Pinhoti, and you could end at Cheaha State Park which is a resupply point for the Pinhoti. It is a longer straight line that you could do with kids in probably two nights if you didn't want to rush. Adults doing higher mileage days can easily do it in two days and one nights.
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Post by wacissakid on Jul 7, 2016 9:34:02 GMT -8
Without a doubt, my favorite trail in Alabama (or anywhere for that matter)is the Pinhoti Trail. Been backpacking there since 1975 and love it more every time I get on it. My favorite section is from Coleman Lake to Pine Glen, but I love the loops in Cheaha State park too. It's beautiful fall, winter, spring trail and my favorite part is that it doesn't have a lot of backpackers on it; I can still find solitude there. Started my kids backpacking there, and will start my grandkids there too in a couple of years.
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