fhb
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by fhb on Mar 15, 2015 12:50:28 GMT -5
Hi,
I'm new to this board, but really impressed by the content!
I'm planning on a four person hike in early April, and am looking for some recommendations for a backpacking trip. It'll be two adults and two kids (ages 16 and 11); the 16 year old is an experienced hiker, having gone out with me to Glacier this past Summer; this will be the first overnight hiking trip for the 11 year old.
Ideally, I'd like to find something that is a five day circuit, weather appropriate for April, and with moderate elevation climbs. Not to add too many conditions, but a 3-5 hour drive from Baltimore would be our target.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
- Frank
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Post by Admin on Mar 16, 2015 8:12:17 GMT -5
Do you think the 11 Y.O. newbie can handle it? How many miles do you plan on covering each day? The longest loop backpacking venues in that travel range include trails in PA:
The Quehanna Trail - 75 miles
The Allegheny Front Trail - 42 miles
Black Forest Trail - 42 miles
Susquehannock Trail - 85 miles
Chuck Keiper Trail - 7X miles.
I personally never had the desire to stay on the trail for more than 3 days in a row so I've either done just short sections of these or accomplished them in their entirety but in smaller loops using cross-connectors. See the hikes listed on the parent website here.
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Post by aseege1 on Mar 16, 2015 9:35:22 GMT -5
How many miles a day would you like to do?
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Post by arfcomhkr on Mar 16, 2015 16:04:20 GMT -5
Quehanna will get you the days. It can be a little boring, but that's just a personal thing.
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fhb
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by fhb on Mar 18, 2015 7:53:40 GMT -5
We're not looking at anything too aggressive, since this will be the 11 Y.O.'s first backpacking trip. Perhaps 5-8 miles/day - probably something like 35 in total. The shorter ones you've mentioned in PA might work, I'll take a look at them.
A couple of other areas we were thinking about:
- Dolly Sods
- Shenandoah/Old Rag area
I'd welcome any thoughts on building a loop around these areas. Many thanks,
- Frank
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Mar 18, 2015 10:43:29 GMT -5
A largish loop at Dolly Sods is entirely possible if you plan it right. Either start at Laneville cabin or Bear Rocks and loop out from there. A large loop would also be easily doable at Cranberry Wilderness in WV.
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christopherrobin
Forum Elder
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
Posts: 259
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Post by christopherrobin on Mar 19, 2015 7:36:59 GMT -5
Is Cranberry Wilderness pretty wet this time of year?
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Post by arfcomhkr on Mar 19, 2015 8:25:00 GMT -5
Is Cranberry Wilderness pretty wet this time of year? All depends.  It's nice now if you like to see tumbling streams and rivers. Not so much if you have to cross them, which you probably will have to do. There are some trails you can hike in there without having to do much in the way of that though. North-South trail has no crossings, Middle Fork-Big Beechy have minimal crossings. Loop of Tea Creek-Tea Creek Mountain is fairly dry if you go out the right fork and not go up to Gauley mtn. The ramps should be up by around Easter, if you like eating them. |
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Post by jnk556 on Mar 19, 2015 9:45:33 GMT -5
Is Cranberry Wilderness pretty wet this time of year? All depends. It's nice now if you like to see tumbling streams and rivers. Not so much if you have to cross them, which you probably will have to do. There are some trails you can hike in there without having to do much in the way of that though. North-South trail has no crossings, Middle Fork-Big Beechy have minimal crossings. Loop of Tea Creek-Tea Creek Mountain is fairly dry if you go out the right fork and not go up to Gauley mtn. The ramps should be up by around Easter, if you like eating them. I wouldn't jump the gun on ramps yet. still some snow back in on the mountains, I figure cranberry still has a bit. I'm gonna go ahead and make my ramp prediction for 2nd week in April before ramps peek up over on Middle mountain. At least I hope they wait till then, I'm booked up through the middle of april on my weekend so far  Oh well, back to the thread  |
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Mar 19, 2015 12:35:21 GMT -5
The Tea Creek trails that arf commented on are not in Cranberry Wilderness but the Tea Creek backcountry but it's right next door. Just a little technicality.
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Post by Admin on Mar 19, 2015 13:34:01 GMT -5
IMHO, I'd take the youngster on an easy over-nighter before doing a 5 day trip, regardless of total distance.
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Mar 19, 2015 14:12:44 GMT -5
IMHO, I'd take the youngster on an easy over-nighter before doing a 5 day trip, regardless of total distance. Agreed |
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Post by jmitch on Mar 20, 2015 21:09:53 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2015 7:11:18 GMT -5
Wouldn't you know it. This happens to be a hike page with broken photo links that I've obviously missed during my photo recovery session a couple of weeks ago. I hope to have it fixed soon. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2015 7:52:13 GMT -5
Got it fixed.
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