Winter.... I'm ready

[Papa D]

Sounds great to me... One of these days I'd like you to show me around the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness areas. I've hiked the Art Loeb and the MST through there but there's a lot more.

Sure thing - I was up in Shining Rock last week. Middle Prong is relatively small - only about 9000 acres which is about 1/2 the size of Shining Rock but has a couple of really pretty watersheds - it's nice in the Spring when the water is high and wildflowers are out.
One trip I already have planned (if you want to go) is a Joyce Kilmer trip (just a long weekend) on Nov 2-5

[4shot]

That's what headlamps are for! Keep hiking just like it was summer hours.

10-K, I have tripped, stumbled, slipped, fallen,etc. enough on the trail during broad daylight. I can't imagine how much worse it would be in the dark.
One night that sticks in my mind when I did get stuck hiking in the dark was
BurntBald mtn. (I think) just south of Jerry's Cabin in a sleet storm.It's an exposed very rocky walk and I was worried about slipping so I was going at a very slow pace. I could smell the campfire at the shelter a while before I got there. I was cold and miserable and never so happy to see a fire and shelter in all my life.

[10-K]

It wasn't fun then but man what a great story it makes now!!

[Tipi Walter]

Winter? What's not to like??

[Maddog]

Winter? What's not to like??

No one is more prepared for winter hiking than Tipi! Maddog

[10-K]

.........................

[10-K]

Darn voice recognition...

I meant you mean winter camping don't you?

[Maddog]

Darn voice recognition...

I meant you mean winter camping don't you?

You are correct , Sir! Maddog

[Rasty]

Sounds great to me... One of these days I'd like you to show me around the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness areas. I've hiked the Art Loeb and the MST through there but there's a lot more.

The little east fork trail is worth hiking. It's goes from the BSA camp to Shining Rock Gap. There is a great campsite about 1/3 to 1/2 way up right besides the creek. The trail was overgrown three years ago. It's a horse trail but didn't look like a horse had been on it in years.

The shining creek trail from the big east fork parking lot is also a real good way to get to Shining Rock, then come back to the parking lot on the Old Butt Knob trail.

[mudhead]

Bunch of Southern Fried crack heads.

I got your snow and ice right here.

[Rasty]

Bunch of Southern Fried crack heads.

I got your snow and ice right here.

Too funny! We got your warm balmy day down here!

[coach lou]

Am I the only one that's ready for sub-30* temps and short days to hike in...

Winter is my favorite time to be on the trail, hiking at 7-8 PM in the dark when it's starting to really get cold and all that....

I'm counting the days...

I have 4 games to ref in the next 2 weeks. Even with my bum knee[which will heal] all this walking I've done since last season, I feel very strong. I should have my edge in 2 weeks instead of 4.

[Drybones]

I'm with you on winter hiking...colder the better...makes you feel alive, may not can feel the fingers but the rest of you feels alive...love hugging that campfire, roasting on one side, cold on the other, someone should invent a rotating campfire seat. People think we're crazy, bad weather is a reason to go out. Wife and I spent last Christmas on the Pinhoti in a snow storm camping, went for a hike and the tent was almost down with the snow accumulation on it when we returned. We hung a 16' tarp high enough to build a healthy fire under. Perfect weather...there's no such thing as bad weather...just bad clothes.

[Papa D]

The little east fork trail is worth hiking. It's goes from the BSA camp to Shining Rock Gap. There is a great campsite about 1/3 to 1/2 way up right besides the creek. The trail was overgrown three years ago. It's a horse trail but didn't look like a horse had been on it in years.

The shining creek trail from the big east fork parking lot is also a real good way to get to Shining Rock, then come back to the parking lot on the Old Butt Knob trail.

I did a loop that started with Old Butt Knob last week - it's a spirited hike going up

[Rasty]

I did a loop that started with Old Butt Knob last week - it's a spirited hike going up

I did the opposite last year with my daughter who was 10 at the time. We went down that hill.

[WingedMonkey]

10K is a weed whimp, winter is the only time he don't scratch up his bony knees.

[10-K]

10K is a weed whimp, winter is the only time he don't scratch up his bony knees.

Hey! How did you know I have boney knees???

(Me on Mt. Mansfield)

411411_10150951081230178_2147297280_o.jpg

[Toli]

Hey! How did you know I have boney knees???

(Me on Mt. Mansfield)

411411_10150951081230178_2147297280_o.jpg

Seriously??? I'm surprised Drake hasn't tried to bury one of those ...

[10-K]

Drake is otherwise occupied...

338289_10150967103600178_1006254271_o.jpeg

[Toli]

Drake is otherwise occupied...

338289_10150967103600178_1006254271_o.jpeg

​Now thats funny...