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Post by 69roadrunner on Jan 26, 2017 18:22:18 GMT -8
My son is doing the Hiking Merit Badge and needs 2 more 10 mile hikes (plus a 15 and 20). One thing we've discussed is doing this on the C&O Canal near DC. The 10 miles must be done in a day. A break for lunch and any amount of resting is fine, but you can't do some of it one day, sleep and then do the rest.
What we're considering is starting at a camping spot, go out 5 miles and come back 5 more miles, then camp for the night. The next day we could go out the other direction for 5 miles and then back.
A second consideration that would require us packing with all our gear is go out 10 miles to a camping spot and then back 10 miles. He wants to consider both options.
We might not do this until March or April.
Thanks!
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JiminMD
Trail Wise!
Unrepentant Smartass
Posts: 955 
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Post by JiminMD on Jan 27, 2017 2:41:43 GMT -8
If you start near DC it's dreadfully dull. I did a 20 mile out and back one day starting from the parking lot by the canal boat. 10 miles north, turn around and come back. The trail is obviously flat and an easy surface to walk on. There is also almost nothing to look at. I kept hoping to see some beautiful river view but they were few and far between.
Better would be go to Harper's Ferry and string together Loudon Heights with a shorter trail. Even the tow path is a little more interesting up that way and there is a KOA at the entrance to the park.
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Post by 69roadrunner on Jan 27, 2017 7:26:49 GMT -8
I don't mind driving a bit to the starting point. Our troop took part in a Klondike Derby last year at that KOA. I'll have my son do some research on that.
We're also open to other ideas in the DC metro area to accomplish the same goals.
Thank you!
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Post by rwtb123 on Jan 27, 2017 8:15:22 GMT -8
When I hiked big miles here in the South Florida metro area,up to 45 mile day hikes,I would include urban sidewalks along with Everglades levees which,in this particular area, are similar in many ways to the description of the C&O canal. And,even an out and back in a mile long outlet mall, all to keep things varied and not too repetitive.
I know DC is very walkable from personal experience while living in Va. and going to school in the DC area.Say from the Capital and National Mall up to K Street and over to Georgetown.Or,up Wisconsin to the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area.I have personally walked most of the streets in those vicinities.
So,perhaps combine some of Georgetown with the canal.Or,the capital to Georgetown.Rock Creek park is also in this area but I never really did much walking there so can't really comment on it's suitability.
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Post by 69roadrunner on Jan 27, 2017 8:23:16 GMT -8
We've also discussed using the bike path along the parkway that goes under the flight path for Reagan National Airport and hitting Roosevelt Island and some of the monuments for his 15 (or the 20) mile hike.
He has 2 more 10 mile hikes to do, so it was just an idea to include a night of camping with it. I'm not going to lie, I've pushed that idea as something I want to do, but I think would be good from a scouting standpoint, too. We could include some scout skills for cooking, etc.
Thanks!
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Jan 27, 2017 8:23:39 GMT -8
We're also open to other ideas in the DC metro area Gravel Springs Shelter to Tom Floyd Wayside in Shenandoah is right around 10 miles. You could hike it both ways. It's pretty flat between Compton Gap and the park boundary. March is still pretty early for this though. |
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Post by rwtb123 on Jan 27, 2017 8:35:36 GMT -8
I'm afraid I won't be of much help with the cooking skills.But,I can blend some mean protein shakes...
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Post by catonsvillebill on Jan 27, 2017 8:55:45 GMT -8
I second the suggestion that the stretch of the towpath from Harper's Ferry to points upriver is much more scenic than the "lower " part of the towpath near dc. You can park overnight at the NPS visitor's center( at Loudon Heights). Antietam creek campground is a nice campground. It is about 8 miles west of Harpers Ferry, but if you were to hike from the parking lot to Antietam that is about 10 miles. Can someone pick you up or are you planning an out & back hike? Try this link for the NPS information about the path. www.nps.gov/choh/index.htmStarting at Harpers Ferry you could see the history of that area, that's kind of interesting. Definitely I'd hike the area from Harpers Ferry to the west. Good luck & please share your experiences. Many here would be interested to learn of you & your son's hike. |
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Post by 69roadrunner on Jan 27, 2017 10:13:12 GMT -8
It will just be me and my son, so no option to be dropped off. So, we either hike out from my truck and camp with what we carry, or do a loop back to the truck and car camp (technically truck camp, of course). It would be better to do a different hike the second day, even if it's the same trail in the other direction. That's not required for the merit badge, but would be more enjoyable.
I'll have him check the Gravel Springs shelter option, too. I appreciate all the suggestions.
Great Falls is an idea we've looked at for a day trip instead of camping. Our troop did some rock climbing there. Very nice scenery.
Our last hike was Mason Neck Park, which was an easy hike and we saw 2 eagles and a great blue heron.
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Post by hikingtiger on Jan 27, 2017 10:19:29 GMT -8
What we're considering is starting at a camping spot, go out 5 miles and come back 5 more miles, then camp for the night. The next day we could go out the other direction for 5 miles and then back. A second consideration that would require us packing with all our gear is go out 10 miles to a camping spot and then back 10 miles. He wants to consider both options. Sounds like two good options. I guess it comes down to how much weight you want to carry. |
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Post by rwtb123 on Jan 27, 2017 10:24:36 GMT -8
I was actually thinking more in terms of the longer hikes you mentioned.But,another idea that might be even warmer that time of year would be Assateague Island Natl. Seashore or just to the south in Va. Chincoteague NWR.When I wasn't hiking in the mountains, I would head to those areas to jog on the remote beaches.I actually preferred Chincoteague as it was more remote and an even 22 miles to the Md. line and back.But,for your purposes the Natl seashore has several camping areas at regular intervals along the beach that you can walk to.
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