|
|
Post by jnk556 on Sept 25, 2014 16:43:18 GMT -5
Thinking of heading out for a late fall hike about the middle of October, Laurel Fork is the plan, it'll be a overnighter. From what I see a person could pretty much do a circumnavigation of the place easily in about 15mi, which should be just right. By mid-October, the rattlesnakes that i hear about over there should be less of a problem, and with the dry weather, Laurel Fork should be manageable to cross. I have heard some of the trails are not marked very well though, how big of a problem is this??
Thinking of doing the hike that MrHyker has on his site, but I'm not sure if the 14mi loop includes the loop on the other side of the fork or not?? Anyone who has hiked it give me some input, just wanna know what to prepare for.
|
|
MRHyker
Forum Elder
Out to Lunch
Posts: 130 
|
Post by MRHyker on Sept 25, 2014 18:33:06 GMT -5
The hike I posted Includes crossing the fork 2X but does not include the small loop on that side. I think you need to add about 4-5 miles if you do. Some of the trails were re-blazed about 5 years ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Sept 25, 2014 19:20:05 GMT -5
Got ya. We'll probably do your loop since we have never done this area before. After our fiasco in Cranberry last week, I think a 14mi hike will be a welcome relief.
I read in the notes that the southern end of the Laurel fork trail is a tough one, so we'll probably camp in one of the southern camping spots marked on your site.
|
|
vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
|
Post by vdeal on Sept 25, 2014 19:30:23 GMT -5
Thought you were talking about Laurel Fork WV for a minute. Haven't been to LF, VA in many a year but I do recall it being very nice and would love to go back. Please post a TR afterwards.
|
|
MRHyker
Forum Elder
Out to Lunch
Posts: 130
|
Post by MRHyker on Sept 25, 2014 19:48:44 GMT -5
Got ya. We'll probably do your loop since we have never done this area before. After our fiasco in Cranberry last week, I think a 14mi hike will be a welcome relief. I read in the notes that the southern end of the Laurel fork trail is a tough one, so we'll probably camp in one of the southern camping spots marked on your site. What happened @ Cranberry? LF is a bit like hiking in Canda - Fern meadows, beaver ponds, Spruce groves, birch, towering red pine, rhodo thickets. When we did it the first crossing was a little over knee high. The second a little lower. |
|
|
|
Post by jnk556 on Sept 26, 2014 15:21:44 GMT -5
Got ya. We'll probably do your loop since we have never done this area before. After our fiasco in Cranberry last week, I think a 14mi hike will be a welcome relief. I read in the notes that the southern end of the Laurel fork trail is a tough one, so we'll probably camp in one of the southern camping spots marked on your site. What happened @ Cranberry? LF is a bit like hiking in Canda - Fern meadows, beaver ponds, Spruce groves, birch, towering red pine, rhodo thickets. When we did it the first crossing was a little over knee high. The second a little lower. Long story short, the last leg of our hike was a bit longer than we thought, water was more scarce than we expected, and the 3rd hiker in our party got lost, made a wrong turn on Kennisen, and we all had a pretty big scare. So from now on all that go in our party will be staying with the main group, no leaving anyone behind. Anyways, if the weather remains dry, LF should be no problem to cross. I'm not too concerned with the roughness of the trail, as after hiking roaring plains last year, nothing get me excited  |
|
