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Post by cweston on Mar 13, 2024 5:32:27 GMT -8
On the Elk River trail in SE Kansas. (I live in NE Kansas.)
It's widely regarded as the best hiking trail in Kansas, running 15 miles point-to-point along the Elk River and Elk City Lake (a reservoir). It's in the Chautauqua Hills, which feature lots of sandstone formations. There's no dramatic elevation change, but probably 100-200 ft per mile of up and down. There is a lot of rocky terrain, and even some scrambly parts of the trail. The forest is mixed cedar and hardwood, so still fairly stark pre leaf-out.
It's my spring break--perfect opportunity for a weekday overnighter, get the legs moving, make sure all the gear is in good working order for the upcoming season, etc. I hiked about 7.5-8 miles in from the east trailhead, to a well-established creekside camp that I've used before. I've only ever been here in March, and there has always been flowing water available in most or all of the small creeks. But I imagine they are dry much of the fall and winter, which are fairly dry seasons in Kansas.
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Travis
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Post by Travis on Mar 13, 2024 6:16:29 GMT -8
Looks like a peaceful place.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 13, 2024 6:31:33 GMT -8
Very nice!
So, does it count as a bag night if someone else carried the bag? What if the bag ended up inside a hut? Just asking :D.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Mar 13, 2024 17:16:17 GMT -8
I like this thread. I still need to achieve my first this year.
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Mar 13, 2024 18:24:37 GMT -8
I have five, thanks to a trip to Death Valley in early February.
But now I'm in Europe for a week. The hotels here do not have sleeping bags.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Mar 14, 2024 2:20:38 GMT -8
Does a quilt count? I'm leaving Saturday for a weeklong trip to TN & NC, with a dip into GA (Cloudland Canyon). Plan to camp 5 nights (walk-in tent sites mostly) though I'll sleep in my hammock if the trees are right. In either event, I use my 30* down quilt these days.
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 14, 2024 3:41:17 GMT -8
I'm leaving Saturday for a weeklong trip to TN & NC, with a dip into GA (Cloudland Canyon). Nice, do you know if the trees are leaved out yet. If timed right a spring trip can be although somewhat muted like a fall trip with the different hues of colors of buds and new leaves. I'm hoping for a long weekend in April in the UP if the snow is gone.
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Post by bluefish on Mar 14, 2024 3:50:52 GMT -8
Doesn't need 20k of elevation gain to be beautiful, peaceful and well, well worth doing. Those are great, too, just different. Thanks for sharing it. Looking at that area, it spoke to me of Native American culture and sure enough, there' s been some good finds in those parts.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Mar 14, 2024 5:20:41 GMT -8
Exactly what I think of when someone says "Kansas". LOL!
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Mar 14, 2024 5:52:12 GMT -8
I'm leaving Saturday for a weeklong trip to TN & NC, with a dip into GA (Cloudland Canyon). Nice, do you know if the trees are leaved out yet. If timed right a spring trip can be although somewhat muted like a fall trip with the different hues of colors of buds and new leaves. I'm hoping for a long weekend in April in the UP if the snow is gone. My experience in that region at this time of year is the trees are budding but not leafed yet. I'll do a trip report after my return.
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kayman
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Post by kayman on Mar 14, 2024 8:55:38 GMT -8
[/quote]My experience in that region at this time of year is the trees are budding but not leafed yet.
I'll do a trip report after my return.[/quote]
I’m in North Alabama not far from Cloudland Canyon and you are correct. Lots of budding going on but not much leafing.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Mar 14, 2024 10:04:33 GMT -8
I’m in North Alabama not far from Cloudland Canyon and you are correct. Lots of budding going on but not much leafing. I'm in Upstate NY and the trees are budding. Crazy winter.
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Post by cweston on Mar 14, 2024 15:23:55 GMT -8
Yes--mine was technically a quilt night as well.
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Post by cweston on Mar 14, 2024 15:26:59 GMT -8
Exactly what I think of when someone says "Kansas". LOL! Yeah, I get it. Where I live (north of Manhattan, KS) is the most scenic part of the state, in the Flint Hills. There are lots of places to hike, but unfortunately none of them very well suited to overnight backpacking--either the trails are too short, and/or camping is not allowed, and/or no surface water is available.
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marmotstew
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Post by marmotstew on Mar 14, 2024 15:54:55 GMT -8
Any bag night is a good night. Looks nice.
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