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Post by xtremelygirlie82 on Oct 10, 2017 13:28:56 GMT -8
Hi there. I've been hiking and camping separate for a little while now, and I'm ready to take the next step to backpacking. I just purchased my backpack and plan on training with it on the treadmill by adding weights gradually to it. However, I will more than likely be doing my excursions solo. I am looking for somewhere I can plan to go in the spring time where I can hike all day and just drop tent to sleep... recommendations? Hoping for somewhere new: I've been to Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky (altho minimal here). Any recommendations for moderate skill level?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Oct 10, 2017 13:41:14 GMT -8
It might help us if we knew how far you were willing to travel, and approximately where you are starting from. 3 hours from near Cincinnati for example, would allow an exploration of Red River Gorge.
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Post by xtremelygirlie82 on Oct 10, 2017 13:45:35 GMT -8
I'm okay going anywhere for a long weekend, flying is definitely okay. I'm in Chicago, Il, but looking to pin a few more new destinations other than those above.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Oct 10, 2017 15:34:09 GMT -8
Many places are still too cold in the Spring time. Most of the mountains will still have snow up to mid-July. May could be a good month for parts of the mountain hikes in Georgia, for instance. Or some of the other locations along the AT, but it would take some research to figure out which portions are doable in 2 days, and are good for Spring weather. I was hoping some others from places near Illinois would chime in already. How about Missouri? Sorry. I am most familiar with Az, Ca, Or, & Wa for hiking destinations. Most of their good stuff has to wait until July or Aug.
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Post by starwalker on Oct 11, 2017 11:27:35 GMT -8
The Ozarks are at their best in the spring (Missouri and Arkansas). Fall is great weather, but there are alot of deer hunters.
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 11, 2017 12:45:33 GMT -8
Where you have hiked in Michigan? Western PA has some great places also. If you're not into winter camping than mid April is ususally good time to get out in Michigan before the bugs but if you're in Chicago you probably know that.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 13, 2017 18:20:11 GMT -8
The Shawnee region in southern IL and the Missouri Ozarks are great in March and early April. Shawnee’s seasonal waterfalls are often flowing fully, the bugs aren’t out, and undergrowth is thin.
I can recommend many spots in the Shawnee that are ideal for car camps, but backpack options are a bit limited. The Lusk Creek Wilderness has a good trail system, and the area between Eddyville, Bell Smith Springs and Bay Lake / Jackson hollow has lots of interconnecting NFS trails that can lead you to amazing spots like Jackson Falls, Double Branch Hole, Hayes Creek, Sand Cave, and Bell Smith’s swim hole.
In Missouri, check out the Ozark Trail Association and its Ozark Trail. The Tatum Sauk section is very scenic and rugged. The Middle Fork / John Roth section is also scenic and varied. The association can arrange a shuttle.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 13, 2017 18:25:15 GMT -8
Further afield, Aravaipa Canyon in AZ is fantastic in March (snakes generally not active yet). You will need a permit.
Ther are some great spots near Nashville on the Cumberland plateau, including Savage Gulch and Scott’s Gulf. Also near Nashville is Big South Fork.
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Post by xxspottedhyenaxx on Oct 22, 2017 10:34:28 GMT -8
Tecumseh Trail isnt a very far drive from you, it's in Northern Indiana above Indianapolis. It's a 40 mile loop, that could make for a four day "weekend".
There is also the Adventure Trail near me in Corydon Indiana. That's a 25 mile loop near the Ohio river. I've not hiked either of these trails (yet). But from the reviews they get, they are best hiked in the spring/fall for better views of the foliage. Still, I wouldnt hesitate to hike them, whatever the weather.
Both of which allow "back country" camping, and have good maps available.
Also, just friendly advice, not going to poo poo on your training. But instead of a treadmill, find some little parks with moderate or easy trails. Thats what I have been doing. One weekend, I would hike 2 miles. Then 5, Then 8, so on and so forth. I also would practice setting up my tent and camping in my back yard to get a feel for how I would sleep and how my gear sets up/tears down and folds up.
You'de be out in the piney woods/on the ol' dusty trail training and you would also get a feel for walking on uneven terrain and the like. Plus, believe it or not, some of these little parks and small trails offer spectacular views in some areas.
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ecocentric
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Post by ecocentric on Oct 23, 2017 8:10:42 GMT -8
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Post by xxspottedhyenaxx on Oct 27, 2017 6:02:55 GMT -8
Haha, you have a point there.
I consider northern Indiana north of Indianapolis.
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ecocentric
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Post by ecocentric on Oct 27, 2017 7:30:16 GMT -8
I live a one hour drive south of Indianapolis, and about a ten minute drive from one of the midway trail heads at Yellowwood Lake. You're going to need to turn "south" at Indy on 37 or 45. If you are planning a hike, I can help with the shuttle, or help you find some of the many other trail gems we have here in "Southern Indiana." I'm not dissing Northern Indiana, but it is damned flat up there.  Wildcat Creek, near Lafayette, Sugar Creek, and some of the Wabash River in between have some appreciable relief in their valleys, but the trails are mostly limited to day hikes in the excellent state parks, Turkey Run and The Shades. If you are looking for a nature fix, this is a useful link to the state's nature preserves. Indiana Nature PreservesThis is link is to their page on the Tecumseh, for other Indiana Trails, a wealth of info, news for trail activists, and volunteer opportunities for trail maintenance go to the Home Page on this sites: The Hoosier Hiker's Council
There are plans to connect the Tecumseh Trail with the Knobstone Trail further South, and possibly further to the trail system in the Harrison-Crawford State Forest, down on the Ohio River, near Corydon, IN, where the other Indiana trail suitable for backpacking, The Adventure Trail can be found. Morgan, Monroe, and Brown Counties have 273 miles of interconnected trails, many in the Deam Wilderness Area, near Bloomington, IN. Environmental alert: You might want to hike the Backcountry Area of the Morgan-Monroe State Forest before they log it. Indiana government is all about making a quick buck on hardwood forests. The Indiana Forest Alliance, Environmental Position Paper - Sierra Club and Heartwood, |
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 29, 2017 22:52:19 GMT -8
I like your attitude. Consider glacier or the absoroka. Not too far away. Going solo is a learning process but not that hard and in many ways easier.
There are tons of places in Montucky and Wyoming to look at. You'll be fine. Just take easy trips initially and don't be overly ambitious.
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