The high county snow is melting quickly, and all the passes are opening up...this time of year always gets me excited for SUMMER and BACKPACKING!!!
Anyone here into backpacking? What about day hikes into cool local spots? I've never really done much outside of California, but always like hearing about the regional trails and wilderness areas that are personal and special to backpacking/hiking enthusiasts. So...lets hear it, where do you guys like to escape into nature?!?!
I love Kings Canyon, especially the Dusy and Palisade Basin area. The picture below is of Barney Lake in the Hoover Wilderness area. An approach from the East up to high lakes in the Sierras...there's not much better than that, IMO.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/Hoover%20Wilderness/IMG_1254.jpg)
This is where I'll be in July! http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=929
I saw on your profile you live in San Fran...great city, I used to live in Napa and love NorCal. I assume you've been up to Tahoe? The Flume Trail is a damn nice ride.
there's some great hiking near Nashville up on the Cumberland Plateau less than an hour away and then the Smokies are only 4 hours away. I have done some great hiking in California (not really hiking, more like strolling amongst the redwoods), New Mexico, Colorado, New Hampshire and Maine, but my favorite is the Black Hills/Badlands of
South Dakota, especially Bear Butte, the holy mountain for the Lakota Sioux. I am spiritually drawn to South Dakota and the hikes are meditations to me.
Bear Butte
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/Vacation%202006/IMGP2168.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/Vacation%202006/IMGP2195.jpg)
QuoteThis is where I'll be in July! http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=929
I saw on your profile you live in San Fran...great city, I used to live in Napa and love NorCal. I assume you've been up to Tahoe? The Flume Trail is a damn nice ride.
Yeah, I live in SF for another 3 days! My wife and I are moving up to the 100+ degree heat of Sacramento, which we're actually really excited about. Napa is a great area, we were just up there last month. There's actually some nice hiking out toward Berryessa, especially in Spring when everything is still green and the flowers are out.
So do you live in Colorado now? That trail sounds insane! I don't have a good mt. bike (just my city commuter), but I did go riding out at Mammoth a couple years ago, which was awesome. I don't think it was 6,000 ft in elevation that we dropped, but still long, fast rides.
Have fun!
Nope I live in Louisville now...the good mt. biking is scarce 'round here. That's why my wife booked us a trip to Colorado this summer, she knows how much I miss the mountains!
Quotethere's some great hiking near Nashville up on the Cumberland Plateau less than an hour away and then the Smokies are only 4 hours away. I have done somegreat hiking in California (not really hiking, more like strolling amongst the redwoods), New Mexico, Colorado and Maine, but my favorite is the Black Hills/Badlands of
South Dakota, especially Bear Butte, the holy mountain for the Lakota Sioux. I am spiritually drawn to South Dakotaand the hikes are mediations to me.
Bear Butte
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/Vacation%202006/IMGP2168.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/Vacation%202006/IMGP2195.jpg)
Great pics Tracy! I really get excited with topography change and open space...being able to climb something and then get a clear view out into open country...it really can be inspiring :)
Where were the redwoods that you hiked in?
Quote
Where were the redwoods that you hiked in?
well, my wife and I went to San Francisco for our honeymoon (2000). We stayed 4 nights in San Francisco at The Chancellor across from Union Square, then we headed up the coast; stopped first at Muir Woods (really blown away by the redwoods) and then headed up to Hendy Woods State Park on the Navarro River and camped the night, then we had a cabin somewhere on the Avenue of Giants for the next night, but the best was a tiny county park we found up off Hwy 36 from Eureka. We tried to camp at Grizzly Creek, but it was too crowded, so we found Van Duzen County Park; our site was right on a swimming hole in the river and under a redwood grove. The ranger said it was the locals' favorite and was suprised the spot was open. And the hikes we took through the redwoods were amazing, doubley so b/c there was no one else there.
and, to complete the honeymoon, we went to PacBell to see the Giants (wife's uncle had one of those suites) and then The Who at Shoreline Amphitheater!
we had an amazing time and we're eye-balling Yosemite in September, so I may be dropping you a line for suggestions.
(pre-digital photography)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/tree.jpg)
If you're thinking of Yosemite you need to get reservations right now...my wife and I tried to stay there but it was booked solid for months. Instead we settle for lovely Modesto...the Flamingo Hotel I think. Soooo shady!
Yeah, I live in SF for another 3 days! My wife and I are moving up to the 100+ degree heat of Sacramento, which we're actually really excited about. Napa is a great area, we were just up there last month. There's actually some nice hiking out toward Berryessa, especially in Spring when everything is still green and the flowers are out.
So do you live in Colorado now? That trail sounds insane! I don't have a good mt. bike (just my city commuter), but I did go riding out at Mammoth a couple years ago, which was awesome. I don't think it was 6,000 ft in elevation that we dropped, but still long, fast rides.
Have fun!
[/quote]
Yea, Sacramento is not high on my "places to live" but I guess it could be worse, you could have to move to Bakersfield. At least you'll be closer to Tahoe.
I miss San Fran, great city. I especially miss going to Tommy's Mexican for the killer margaritas!
i've done some hiking in the cumberland gap area around kentennia. very beautiful. i also have hiked mt. leconte a couple times in the smokies. one of my favorite places to go though is the red river gorge in KY. its an amazing geologic feature.
That sounds like a GREAT honeymoon Tracy! I've been to many of those spots...Muir Woods is a pretty special place, and I used to camp at Hendy Woods as a Boy Scout. My favorite Redwood spot is a place called Prarie Creek, north of Eureka a bit. There's an awesome 10 mile loop trail to do in there, and you really don't see many people. Just grove after grove of old growth redwoods...now THAT's inspiring.
And yeah, Yosemite does take some advance planning. I'd recommend looking for sites at Tuolumne Meadows...it's not in the Valley, but a relatively short (and beautiful) drive away, but it's not nearly as busy. If you need some more ideas, let me know.
Quote
Yea, Sacramento is not high on my "places to live" but I guess it could be worse...
;D Yeah, Sacramento does get a lot of shit, and the past decade or so has seen a lot of ugly, suburban sprawl. I like it there though...a lot of great, old, spacious neighborhoods, slower pace, lack of Bay Area pretentiousness, and yes, closer to the Sierras.
Tommy's does make a mean margarita, but the food isn't that great - we've got a few favorite spots in Oakland and Alameda that blow it away. Having lived my whole life in CA, I've developed a pretty high level of Mexican food snobishness ;D
QuoteQuote
Yea, Sacramento is not high on my "places to live" but I guess it could be worse...
Tommy's does make a mean margarita, but the food isn't that great - ;D
Tommy's has food?
Damn bbill it makes me sad that you're leaving SF...I think I'll go cry now :'(
QuoteDamn bbill it makes me sad that you're leaving SF...I think I'll go cry now :'(
:) Yeah, there are a lot of things I will miss, but I'm actually happy to be leaving. I was never meant to end up in SF, and now's a great time to leave.
...ANYWAY, getting back on topic...I know we've got a lot of East Coasters on this Forum...tell me about the Appalachian Trail. What parts do you know and love?
Quotei've done some hiking in the cumberland gap area around kentennia. very beautiful. i also have hiked mt. leconte a couple times in the smokies. one of my favorite places to go though is the red river gorge in KY. its an amazing geologic feature.
The gorge kicks ass - it has the most rock formations east of the rockies, believe or not.
i just got some new equipment - i'm excited to get out into the great outdoors this weekend
bump...We're at the height of summertime right now! Any of you been gettin' outside?
I won't say it's an unfortunate thing, but my little hiking partner is all pregnant, which has severely changed our backpacking plans for the year...hell, probably the next several years. I've been hurtin' for some mountain time though, and will probably get up to the Carson Pass area for a day hike sometime this weekend.
Since crazylove got a new puppy I got an expandable leash and have been taking her (the puppy) on short trail hikes in our area. Last Saturday when she (crazylove) went to Chicago for the day I ran the Hell out of Tawny in the morning and she slept all afternoon as I sat in my leather recliner watching the Olympics and drinking IPA's. It has been really good for my 50 year old fat ass to get out and walk to work off the rich American Beer.
i love backpacking and hiking! it's been too long since i have and all the pictures make me miss it! i've done a couple 4 day trips in colorado and some day hiking in tennessee.
I want to do the Milford Track in New Zealand. My nephew did it this spring and said it was amazing. $$$$, however, if I start saving today...
http://www.firstlighttravel.com/walk_loc_milford.html#1
New Zealand is HIGH on my list of places I'd love to visit...that area looks amazing.
Here are some pics from a hike I did yesterday, into an area called the Meiss Meadows Basin. It's not far south of Lake Tahoe, the trailhead I hiked in from is right up at Carson Pass on Hwy 88.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2899.jpg)
This is hiking up the first ridge, up and over into the Meiss Basin. A big, open ridge.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2904.jpg)
In the Meiss Meadows Basin. This has been a really dry year, and it's pretty late in the season, so things were pretty dried out. Still very pretty though.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2909.jpg)
My lunchtime stop destination, Round Lake. The water was a pretty blue/green color, and I'm sure cold as hell...elevation somewhere around 8,500 ft.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2916.jpg)
This is a rocky peak I scrambled up to for a view...you can see Lake Tahoe in the distance.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2919.jpg)
One of a series of lakes (ponds really) imaginatively called Four Lakes.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bradenbill/IMG_2927.jpg)
Some cool, gnarly High Sierra trees on the way out...juniper I think.
just got back from a nice 5 day getaway in the old mark twain forest here in missouri had a few good day hikes me legs is burnin today though
...bump...
Anyone have any cool adventures planned for the summer? I might get a couple day hikes in, but baby keeps us pretty close to home...
My buddy and I are going to hit up Flloyd's Knob soon, which supposed to be a nice 5 mile hike over the knobs overlooking the Ohio River. I'd like to do some backpacking but we'll see how that goes.
QuoteQuoteDamn bbill it makes me sad that you're leaving SF...I think I'll go cry now :'(
:) Yeah, there are a lot of things I will miss, but I'm actually happy to be leaving. I was never meant to end up in SF, and now's a great time to leave.
...ANYWAY, getting back on topic...I know we've got a lot of East Coasters on this Forum...tell me about the Appalachian Trail. What parts do you know and love?
Hey Bbill.........Damn, I missed this thread!
I live on the Appalachian Trail in NYS. It' my back yard. The kids and I go up the mountain a few times a year. There's a great view called Lookout Point behind the house in Greenwood Lake. Here's a pic of the kids . This is right behind my house! I'm blessed to live here.
This is facing due East. On a clear day you can see NYC. :)
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/searchinbig/Picture031.jpg)
QuoteQuoteQuoteDamn bbill it makes me sad that you're leaving SF...I think I'll go cry now :'(
:) Yeah, there are a lot of things I will miss, but I'm actually happy to be leaving. I was never meant to end up in SF, and now's a great time to leave.
...ANYWAY, getting back on topic...I know we've got a lot of East Coasters on this Forum...tell me about the Appalachian Trail. What parts do you know and love?
Hey Bbill.........Damn, I missed this thread!
I live on the Appalachian Trail in NYS. It' my back yard. The kids and I go up the mountain a few times a year. There's a great view called Lookout Point behind the house in Greenwood Lake. Here's a pic of the kids . This is right behind my house! I'm blessed to live here.
This is facing due East. On a clear day you can see NYC. :)
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/searchinbig/Picture031.jpg)
Cool man! That looks like a fun place to live! Looks like you have great family too. :)
Have you done much hiking along the AT? What kind of trees are in the forests around there? See much wildlife? Sorry, I geek out with this kind of stuff... ::)
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteDamn bbill it makes me sad that you're leaving SF...I think I'll go cry now :'(
:) Yeah, there are a lot of things I will miss, but I'm actually happy to be leaving. I was never meant to end up in SF, and now's a great time to leave.
...ANYWAY, getting back on topic...I know we've got a lot of East Coasters on this Forum...tell me about the Appalachian Trail. What parts do you know and love?
Hey Bbill.........Damn, I missed this thread!
I live on the Appalachian Trail in NYS. It' my back yard. The kids and I go up the mountain a few times a year. There's a great view called Lookout Point behind the house in Greenwood Lake. Here's a pic of the kids . This is right behind my house! I'm blessed to live here.
This is facing due East. On a clear day you can see NYC. :)
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/searchinbig/Picture031.jpg)
Cool man! That looks like a fun place to live! Looks like you have great family too. :)
Have you done much hiking along the AT? What kind of trees are in the forests around there? See much wildlife? Sorry, I geek out with this kind of stuff... ::)
Yupper. The family means everything to us. We hike in our area pretty much. It's mostly deciduous, with scattered patches of beautiful pines. Last time up we found an Eagles nest with 2 babes. They hissed at us and we ran!! We consider ourselves the keepers of this stretch of the AT. I get pissed cause kids on their quads cruise my back yard so I gotta go chase the bastards. They plow over the shrooms and other parts of the trail, even though it's illegal to ride there. So i've become the old man I never thought I would!
All kinds of wildlife. The bears are coming round more often. They found and raided my compost bin so I moved it into my garage for the time being.
Bbill, you are not being a geek at all. I'd rather live here than the city. Surrounded by Mother Nature is awesome. The little guy and I are always back there finding new adventures.
Bumpty bump!!
View of the Graveyard Fields waterfalls off the Blue Ridge Parkwayyyyy, in its early Autumn cloak!!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297191_182951138449952_100002052017541_377056_98306680_n.jpg)
View from the "Devil's Courthouse" overlook:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302265_182952081783191_100002052017541_377058_288809480_n.jpg)
I sometimes wish I lived somewhere right along the Blue Ridge Parkway...... :)
Yo, nice pics woody! How cold has it been getting in NC overnight? Those trees are looking beautiful!
Quote from: woodnymph on Oct 06, 2011, 01:30 AM
Bumpty bump!!
View of the Graveyard Fields waterfalls off the Blue Ridge Parkwayyyyy, in its early Autumn cloak!!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297191_182951138449952_100002052017541_377056_98306680_n.jpg)
View from the "Devil's Courthouse" overlook:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302265_182952081783191_100002052017541_377058_288809480_n.jpg)
I sometimes wish I lived somewhere right along the Blue Ridge Parkway...... :)
I love hiking the graveyards! My family keeps a small house between Waynesville & Balsam so I've been hiking up in those parts many, many times. Really need to make a trip up that way this fall.
Here's my collection from Acadia this past week:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elchode/collections/72157627835344506/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/elchode/collections/72157627835344506/)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6199822208_e76716f1f5_z.jpg)(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6199363107_de045acd00_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/6199802734_1c0f41d29f_z.jpg)
OOOOooo look at that MOSS!!! Great pics, Chode!! I can only imagine how gorgeous your trip was!!!
he who forgets~ that is AWESOME you've got a close-by connection in the area!!! I hiked around a bit at the Graveyard lower falls area just last week and just HAD to go back this week.... the area is addicting!! And whoa last time I went I don't remember even SEEING the falls from the road (I must've been glued to the road, which I guess is a good thing!) But wow the colors are sure coming in up in those parts! It's such a diverse climate, you can see the waves of green still happening in lower parts...... but every inch is gorgeous in my eyes! :)
bbill it's been BRISK up in the mountains, I heard rumor that a few flakes fell somewhere in the mountains last weekend when temps in the valley even reached the upper 30s! Mmmmm the new house I've moved into has a fire pit---can't wait to light it up!
LOve love love the early autumn down here so far!!! :D :D
Choder, nice pictures! I've never been to Acadia, but I've got a hat from there that my wife brought me long ago, when we first started dating. Looks like a beautiful place.
Wow! Acadia is penciled in as part of a trip for me next summer.
Quote from: bbill on Oct 07, 2011, 11:24 AM
Choder, nice pictures! I've never been to Acadia, but I've got a hat from there that my wife brought me long ago, when we first started dating. Looks like a beautiful place.
It is. I hope to explore more areas like it. It was so relaxing. One of the few places I've ever felt like "this is where I belong" is along the various trails in the middle of the woods.
Quote from: YouAre_GivenToFly on Oct 09, 2011, 10:24 PM
Wow! Acadia is penciled in as part of a trip for me next summer.
If you want tips, let me know.
I was in the midst of starting a blog about my hiking adventures before I got hired at my job. Now, it is extremely stalled, but I hope to have it up and running. And by hiking adventures, I mean the hikes through Bar Harbor to get beer in the evening.