Has anyone recently hiked on the Art Loeb trail? I live here in Western North Carolina and it's been rainy lately. So I'm sure water won't be a concern. I was just wondering if there's an update out there. I'll be out there this weekend.

Thanks.

Please share any knowlege or information concerning hiking and trail options within the Hoosier National Forest. Thank you.

This is a hike I did back in '97.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou15ntNNnvU

The guy in the Michigan hat is a Liaison officer.
He is required to come along to make sure you don't tax the people's resources as they need to rely on the food they can grow to survive.
Also so you don't break the rules (pot smoking, going to restricted areas, etc.)

This is why it is very different from your average Nepal trek.
Tents, cooking gear, must all be carried on the long trek.
I remember our first 17 days were uphill.

Anyway, enjoy, it is often in German, sometimes, Nepali and sometimes English.
But the scenery and music is good and brings back lots of good memories.

I was looking at the various boards on WhiteBlaze that are grouped together as part of the Listing of other Long Trails. There is a decided American slant to the trails listed. (There's nothing particularly wrong with that; the original trail for WhiteBlaze and the main reason we're all here is on the east coast of the United States. But I don't know if there's any equivalent site for the other long trails.)

It might be interesting if the "Other Trails" board was split into several geographically based boards. I, for one, would love to see a board specifically devoted to the trails in Europe. In addition to the popular Camino de Santiago, there are all those long, numbered trails. I don't know if there's a lot of interest in Europe on thru hiking, but it would seem to me that completing one of those trails would definitely be an accomplishment. At least one of them is longer than the North Country Trail.

(There are also those trails in England that can be hiked supported. While I won't be able to get my wife into the swamp on the Florida Trail, it is quite possible that she would be willing to hike from bed and breakfast to bed and breakfast -- or pub to pub -- as we walk across England carrying just a day pack.)

Other boards could be set up for the other continents (although I'm not sure if there are long trails on all the continents).

Or am I the only person who would be interested?

Attached Images

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A friend is considering a 2 month visit to Western Europe staying in hostels whenever possible. Would a light down quilt be better than a sleeping bag? Actually i don't know the answer, but are bed linens ever provided. Just starting the research.

Thanks

Any suggestions of hikes in Olympic National Park in California ? Prefer Day hikes, but nothing to easy.

Hello all,
My partner and I are trying to plan some wilderness hiking for the start of July for about 14 days. We're living in Oregon and likely would stay on the west coast. We are both in good shape (cyclists) but are not looking to do any climbing. A strong interest of ours is to go see some redwood forests in northern California, though we'd like to avoid the higher traffic tourist spots. Are there any longer trails that pass through such forests? Would hiking a portion of the PCT be our best bet? Any suggestions would be fantastic. Thanks!

Just a bump from a few month's ago. I'll be assisting with the September trip in RMNP. Only three spots left!

Fall is a wonderful time to be in the park...my favorite time as a matter of fact. :)

Great way to learn a lot in a short period of time. Map and compass, off-trail travel, LNT and what a RI accent sounds like (bonus for this trip only. ;) )



http://andrewskurka.com/guided-trips/schedule/

I recently had a chance to check out much of the susquehannock trail in pa including one of the new cross connectors.
More info is here:
http://hikingandcampinginmdpaandbeyo...ock-trail.html

A weekend backpacking trip to Dominguez Canyon outside of Grand Junction, CO.
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way !
One of my favorite places to immerse myself is the Colorado Plateau. The canyons, washes and arroyos lead to place that seem both mysterious and beautiful. The stark red rocks against the blue sky are vibrant. And each turn of the canyon wall seems to be following in the footsteps of ancient people.
The Colorado Plateau is one of those special places seems to always call back. It is up there with the quiet lakes in the Maine woods, the High Sierra and The Winds. Place where I always long to return.
Desperately needing a backpacking fix, my mind naturally turned to this area. Moab would be too far of a drive. Northern New Mexico would also be a trek.
I then remembered a place I passed many times on the way to and from other places: Dominguez Canyon.
Being only a four hour or so drive, it was just at the raw edge for a weekend backpack.
It would also be snow free and have that wonderful red rock country I so love. Being so close toColorado National Monument, Dominguez Canyon should also prove to have impressive scenery.
I did not leave until Saturday morning due to a cold I was recovering from.
The later departure time did let me drive to the area in the daylight. The scenic drive helped to emphasize what I’ve always felt about the American West: The state lines that make up the states do not reflect the reality on the ground.
Glenwood Springs always felt to me like the last town of the Rockies in Colorado. It is a border town. Straddling the line between the Colorado Rockies and the Colorado Plateau.
Somewhere just west of this town, it feels more like the Utah region. And by the time I arrived near Grand Junction. I truly was in Utah. Perhaps not by state lines, but the geology, culture and “feel” of the area felt more like Colorado’s neighbor to the West.
And like every time I’ve been in Utah, I was glad to have arrived.
Saddled up, locked the door and off I went into the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau.
Upon arriving at the trail head, I followed the footprints to the top of the bluff and snapped a photo of the Gunnison River.

I continued my walk along the railroad easement and took a photo from the quiet boat launch.

Crossed “The Gunni” at the trestle and took the shot that seems to be mandatory on this trip :

From the trestle, I had a nice look down the river and over to an older bridge that leads to a (closed-off) conservation area.

After the river I entered in Big Dominguez Canyon and was reminded more and more of the parts of Utah I love.

And much like Utah, there were signs of the ancient people…Utes in this case.

Further into the canyon I went. And I further enjoyed my Utah-like bliss.

Down into the canyon, I saw signs of more recent inhabitants.


Further down the “trail” I went. The “trail” become more of a worn path marked by the occasional cairn.
Shortly before exiting the canyon proper and rising to the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau, I made camp for the evening.
Being an overnighter, a luxury was packed that made for pleasant evening in camp.

The plateau was reached and the dirt road walking portion of the trip began.
A last look was taken into the canyon.

Followed the dirt roads for a bit and entered the Wagon Park area.

The plateau was nice, but time to enter the canyon again.

Into the Little Dominguez Canyon area (did some off trail hiking in some washes…delayed me, but was oh-so-beautiful) I went.

Hooked up to the creek, The Gunnison and made it back to the trail head.
It was late. I was tired.
But I was happy.
I needed this trip. I needed to be out backpacking, sleeping under the stars and being out in Nature.
Dominguez Canyon gave me what I needed at the right time.
All the photos
IF YOU SHOULD GO
Getting There: Take 50 East off I70. Follow 50E for until just after Mile Marker 51. Turn onto Brideport Rd for ~3 miles or so to get to the TH.
The Route: The classic loop is ~35 miles connecting “Big D” and “Little D” canyons with some dirt road walking in the Wagon Park area. The portions of both canyons near the river are well used and easy to follow. Further away? Not so much. A decent amount of people seem to make base camp near the creek and explore the area with a day pack.
Maps: This map is decent for general navigation esp near the river. You’ll want to bring a topo for the more detailed navigation needed away from the popular areas and/or exploring the washes, however.
Water: In the spring, water flowed quite abundantly in the Little D and Big D canyons. On the dry plateau, plan appropriately.
When to go: Fall and Spring are ideal. Spring will have more water. Winter is going to have less people but it can get cold (and there will be less water). Summer? Too hot!!!
Post-hike: I finished too late and had a longish drive back to enjoy any post-hike libations. If you have the time, the area is known for its wonderful peaches and wine! I keep up promising Mrs Mags a wine tasting sometime post trip.

I may be in the Taos NM for a while late this summer. It looks like there are some good areas nearby and Id like to take a few easy days exploring and photographing. Any suggestions? I am concerned about water and elevation, and will probably be eating cold. May be using a hammock, too.

Many thanks,

FB

Okay boys, here's a Whiteblaze trip report into the Big Frog/Cohutta wilderness.

TRIP 142
February 9-26 2013

TRAILS
Thunder Rock 305/330/303
**West Fork**
Rough Creek West
Big Frog
**Low Gap**
Big Frog
**Frog Mt 4th Camp**
Licklog Ridge
**Double Spring Gap(2)**
Hemp Top
**Bear Branch/BMT/Jacks**
BMT South to Watson Gap
BMT South to Pinhoti Jct
Pinhoti Trail
**Pinhoti Camp**
FS 64 Roadwalk
3 Forks Mountain
East Cowpen
**Panther Top**
East Cowpen
Hickory Ridge
Jacks River and Falls
**Jacks Beach Camp**
Beech Bottom
**Beech Camp**
Beech Bottom
FS 62
Chestnut Mt
**Nut Jct**
Wolf Ridge
Grassy Gap
Big Creek
**Big Creek Bottoms**
Yellow Stand Lead
**Low Gap(2)**
Big Frog
**Big Frog Mt**
Big Frog
Fork Ridge
Rough Creek
West Fork
**West Fork Camp**
West Fork
Trail 330
**Bike Grave Camp**
Trail 305 and OUT



It's a beautiful day for a backpacking trip. Once again I get Little Mitten to drive me up the Ocoee River and into the Big Frog wilderness by way of Thunder Rock campground for another long backpacking trip. 40 lbs of food, 8 lbs of books and 4 lbs of fuel---I'm ready to climb the 8 switchbacks out of Thunder Rock with an 80 lb pack and pull my 4.4 miles to the first night's camp.



After several days I make it to the top of Frog Mt and run into Tree Beard who thruhiked the AT in 2011. Anyone remember him?



I leave the Frog and take Hemp Top trail/BMT to this jct with the Penitentiary Branch for a reststop. My goal is Dally Gap and the Upper Jacks River trail jct.



I make it to Watson Gap on the BMT and pass by this trail sign.



The BMT takes me to the northern jct of the Pinhoti trail and so I get on it for 3 miles to Buddy Cove Gap for a swing back into the Cohutta at Three Forks Mt.



The trek takes me on a 2-3 mile roadwalk to this jct with the East Cowpen Trail.



East Cowpen takes me to the highest mountain in the Cohutta---Cowpen Mt at 4,149 feet.



After spending a night on Panther Top I follow East Cowpen to Hickory Ridge trail which puts me out at this Jacks River crossing and it's butt cold.



The mandatory visit to Jacks River Falls.



Two backpackers from Georgia pass my camp on the Beech Bottom trail.



I leave my camp on Beech Creek and take the Beech Bottom trail to FS road 62 which I follow for 2 or 3 miles to the jct with the Chestnut Mt trail which takes me to Wolf Ridge trail and Grassy Gap trail jct where I stop for this fotog.



I take Grassy Gap trail to Big Creek jct and turn left and head down the trail along Big Creek, as above.

The Palmetto Trail in South Carolina is now connected together using temporary road routes. It is 472 miles and traverses the entire state. Hiking this trail will give you the opportunity to see, explore and learn about South Carolina. From the Mountains and wilderness trails near the Georgia border to the small and larg towns and cities. You'll get to visit some of the state's colleges and universities and wind your way through the swamps to end the experience at the Atlantic Ocean in between Georgetown and Charleston. The Thru-Hiker's Manual for the Palmetto Trail is a guidebook with every detail about the trail listed to help with planning and navigation. All resources are included whether in the woods or in towns. Maps are provided for most of the towns as well as a business directory of all stores, restaurants and shops along the way. Check out http://thruhikersmanual.com to get your copy for the Palmetto Trail. Alos available are the Thru-Hiker's Manuals for the Sheltowee Trace in Kentucky (280 miles) and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail of North Carolina (1,000 miles).

Enjoy this years hiking season!!!
Scot "Taba" Ward