The Hiking/Camping/Backpacking Thread

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Chewie, Jun 27, 2009.

  1. clemsonvianj

    clemsonvianj Well-Known Member
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    Bear Mountain and Doe Mountain are my 2 favorites - both right across from each other and share a parking lot.

    Bear is about 1800 feet vertical in about 2.5 miles (5 mile round trip, out-and-back). great views.
    Doe is about 500 feet in 1.5 miles. relatively busier than Bear. nice and quick switchbacks, also out-and-back.

    West Fork is a wooded out-and-back with cool water pools at the end (probably 6 miles round trip). can get busy.
    Soldier's Pass is nice and in-town.
    Brins Mesa is also fun.

    lived there for 3 years, hiked 2-3 times per week. could give go on for hours about Sedona hiking if you need more recs or have specific questions.
     
  2. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    Much appreciated! I will take your advice amigo.
     
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  3. clemsonvianj

    clemsonvianj Well-Known Member
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    should probably add that Devils Bridge and Cathedral Rock are "musts" as far as hikes for out-of-towners in Sedona as they're probably the 2 most photographed areas.

    Cathedral Rock is quick (15-30 minutes), strenuous hike with spectacular views at the "end" (though you can go up a bit into a vortex for the true "end" of the hike). parking can be tough, sometimes worthwhile to go during the week (I used to go after work and always had a spot).

    Devil's Bridge is an okay hike (initially shares a trial that bikers like, so can be busy) and isn't too difficult though has a great finish at the aforementioned bridge.
     
  4. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    MSR Hubba NX. Used once and the treatment on it was defective. Got gummy and peeled up. They replaced it. This would need to be stripped of the old treatment and then retreated to be water repellent. Otherwise it's in perfect condition. As I said, I used it once. If someone wants a project all it'll cost is your label. No poles. Tent and fly only(and carry sack).


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  5. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Just finished my Grand Canyon Rafting Trip. AMA
    Ill upload some pics and a quick write up in a day or so.
     
  6. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Devils Bridge and Cathedral Rock are probably the most popular. Soldiers Pass is another good one. You can also swing by 7 pools from there. Oak Creek Brewery is pretty good for food and beer.
    Bell Rock and Fay canyon are good easy hikes.

    Edit: Oops didn't refresh thread. Already addressed
     
  7. Juke Coolengody

    Juke Coolengody One name. Two men?
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    I was just in the area for several days last month. Can confirm that Cathedral Rock is a quick one that gives you an incredible 360 view. I'd highly recommend that one, particularly if you just have a couple hour window to hike one of the days.

    I know this is a bit of a touristy suggestion, but I've done the Pink Jeep Tour a couple of times over the years and it's a solid way to spend a few hours. I did Broken Arrow this past trip and enjoyed it. Granted, some of the enjoyment is luck of the draw with the driver you're assigned to.

    The Oak Creek area seems pretty cool and a little bit different than the red rock Sedona is known for - really have no idea if there are any specific hiking or sightseeing opportunities though.
     
    #2757 Juke Coolengody, Oct 5, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2021
  8. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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  9. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Team bucket hat 4 lyfe
     
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  10. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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  11. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Had a fanatics gift card and got an official training camp Panama hat for future outdoor activities. Liked it for mowing so far. It’s a few oz heavier than a typical ultralight sun hat. Had been rolling with a Patagonia buffalo mesh back trucker or Prana mesh back trucker.
     
  12. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    those look just like Melanzana's micro grid hoodie.

    https://melanzana.com/product/micro-grid-hoodie/

    Melanzana is in Leadville, CO (sits at 10,000+ feet of elevation). They sew them in the store. You cannot buy them online, only at the store. Currently, you have to make an appointment and then go back for the appointment due to their limited supply. People resell them for like $300 online. New colors every year. About a 2 hour drive from Denver. People love that exclusivity. I have 3 :smug:

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Got away last night for one more hike this season. Tuck Lake, at about 5,500 ft. Hiked 6-7 miles, 2,000 ft of vert hungover as balls. Worth it. M

    Got down to the low 20s last night, left my big water platypus outside overnight and it froze. T'was cold AF. So many mushrooms poppin

    See ya next season Alpine Lakes Wilderness✌️
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    #2763 Nug, Oct 9, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2021
  14. Funshot Residue

    Funshot Residue Mammoth Stabber
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    Where are you located in VA? I'm between Lynchburg and Cville.
     
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  15. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    757. Next weekend I'll be up near Big Meadows knee deep in a trout stream though.
     
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  16. Funshot Residue

    Funshot Residue Mammoth Stabber
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    Hell yeah. Good luck.
     
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  17. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    Thanks again for the recommendations. We did Doe this morning, and planning for Soldier's Pass tomorrow. Opted out of Beat Mnt as my calves/knees are trashed from the Bright Angel trail in GCNP. Decided to go all the way to the River and back - fuck me man! Downhill 4k+ ft destroyed me. Only saving grace was bringing trek poles. Getting old sucks
     
  18. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Did you also go up 4K?!
     
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  19. Juke Coolengody

    Juke Coolengody One name. Two men?
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    Did South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch back up Bright Angel in a day like 4 weeks ago. Started early, but still suffered through 110 degrees in the canyon. The conditions made it one of the tougher hikes I’ve done, even though I’d already done South Kaibab down and up in a day several years back. Probably can tack it up to getting old. Shit sucks.

    Bright Angel was beautiful though. This past trip was the first time I had hiked on it.
     
  20. shawnoc

    shawnoc My president is black, my logos are red...
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    He lives down there now.
     
  21. clemsonvianj

    clemsonvianj Well-Known Member
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    South Kaibab is tough with the lack of shade and water. at least you did it during the "best" time of year to attempt either a down-and-upor rim-to-rim. those who try that either of those in the summer are either a mixture of goat + camel, insane, or stupid.
     
  22. Vito Corleone

    Vito Corleone Deluxe Member
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    Pictures from some mountain lake trails in Northern Idaho. The area is just beautiful, but you remember people from Idaho live nearby unfortunately.
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  23. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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  24. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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  25. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    awesome pics man!
     
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  26. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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  27. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Ok last ones
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  28. Randy Dangus

    Randy Dangus Invigorated after sunning my butthole
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  29. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Agreed. I talked to the trip leader and assistant spots open up pretty regularly. They only get paid in tips but Im good with that once a year or so.
     
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  30. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    guys who have been to Sedona BP clemsonvianj

    Wife and I are doing a quick overnight trip to Sedona for some hiking in a couple of weeks

    I'm only a few nights away from Hilton Diamond status, so I want to stay in a Hilton property. Is it inconvenient enough to not be worth the savings if we stay in Flagstaff for $120 as opposed to the Hilton resort for $500 or the Hampton Inn Sedona for $300?
     
  31. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    You go by slide rock on the way, so no.
     
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  32. Juke Coolengody

    Juke Coolengody One name. Two men?
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    Drive to Sedona isn’t bad at all from Flagstaff. I stayed in Munds Park when I was in the area a month or so ago, and the drive even from there wasn’t terrible.

    I will say - staying in or near Sedona would be pretty awesome though. Can’t beat the scenery of Sedona and waking up to sunrises there is tangibly worth something extra.
     
  33. clemsonvianj

    clemsonvianj Well-Known Member
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    depends on where you are in Flag (agree with the suggestions of Munds Park) and the number of nights (3 or more nights would suck at $200-400 more) though would overall recommend to stay in Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, or Cottonwood.

    if you're there on a weekend, the traffic can be bad (either coming through Oak Creek Canyon or up 179 from the I-17). also, waking up in the Sedona/Verde Valley area and having the mornings there > waking up in Flag and driving down. some of the hikes (examples being Cathedral Rock, West Fork, and Devils Bridge) you'll absolutely want to be there early for in order to get parking and/or avoids "crowds."
     
  34. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Did 3 nights in Shenandoah last weekend. Backpacked off trail to a trout stream I'd read about. Was pretty hairy as we had to find our way down some cliffs (Huckleberry Cliffs) and then down through essentially a gorge. It was probably a bit much for my 11yo but he did it and the payoff was worth it. Camped at the bottom of 3 waterfalls, the last one being about 40-50ft. 3 nights and see zero people. Brookies we're biting until weather moved through on Sat.. Pics aren't great, due to the warm temps everything was still green and covered.


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    If you look just above his head in the last pic you can see the big falls through the trees.
     
  35. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Agree with staying in Sedona or Oak Creek if possible. Never stayed in Munds Park. The drive from Flagg isn't that bad like someone said. Not sure which Hilton you'd be staying at but Traffic in Flagg was terrible a few weeks ago due to construction. And cant recommend enough getting to the popular trailheads as early as possible.
     
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  36. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    You dont want this

    [​IMG]
     
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  37. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    I hope that’s a weekend pic. We will be there on a Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning so hope we can avoid some of that. Crowds in nature are my kryptonite.
     
  38. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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    Couldn’t agree more. It’ll def be less crowded on a weekday With that said, when I did it a few years ago we got there semi early and only had to wait for like 10 minutes to get our IG Pic. We hung out a while But as we were headed back down we passed a ton of people coming up. So if you can get to the TH at or before sun up you’ll be glad you did.
     
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  39. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Hiked Cerro Chato in La Fortuna, Costa Rica today, located in Arenal National Park. About 8 miles roundtrip, just over 2,000 ft of gain. Holy shit I don't think I've ever sweat that much, or been that dirty, from a hike in my life. Shoes, pants, hands just caked in mud. Entire trail was like this:
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    Didn't make it down to the lake because I was running really low on water and was worried about walking down then having to climb back up another 100 or so feet. Still awesome
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    Braves in 5
     
  40. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    Made it to Terlingua this afternoon and am going to do some hiking the next couple of days at Big Bend. Nothing hardcore like most of you guys, just some light stuff with my 30lb backpack named Levi.

    Terlingua has already lured me in, these nighttime views, omg. And it is not even super dark yet.

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  41. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    Just blown away right now. 1 at the stars and 2 at what a cellphone with a 10s exposure can capture.

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  42. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    Need some advice.
    Wife and I are pretty seasoned BP'ers. Taking my brother and his new wife on a weekend trip - both new to backpacking. Thinking mid-May at GSMNP.
    Would like to find 2 nights, somewhere around 20-22 miles total so as to not overwhelm them. Anyone have a good itin for something like this?
     
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  43. tspa

    tspa Well-Known Member
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    I pretty much only day hike, I just prefer to sleep indoors, but I do live near GSMNP and have hiked a lot of it.
    Most backpacking in the park involves following the Appalachian Trail. I have not done any of these as one hike, but here are some things to look into.

    The AT comes into the park at Fontana Dam in NC. You can go from there to Shuckstack fire tower, then follow the AT to the state line. From there head to the actual Rocky Top, and then down to Cades Cove on the TN side. Google maps tells me that is about 25 miles.
    -Shuckstack and Rocky Top both have really nice views. Spence Field, which is a field along the ridge line on the state line is one of the prettiest areas of the park. The hike up to Shuckstack is a little steep but not crazy. I haven't hiked past Shuckstack, but once you are on the ridge the hike to Rocky Top isn't bad. Hiking down from Rocky Top is steep and can be a killer on your knees.

    An alternative starting at Fontana is going to Shuckstack, then Gregory Bald and then down to Cades Cove. This is about 21 miles.
    - Most people go to Gregory Bald in June because that is when the Azaelas bloom and it is quite pretty.

    An option that would more diverse and hit some of the park highlights, would be to start with Rainbow Falls just outside of Gatlinburg. Continue on to Mt. Leconte, to Charlies Bunion, add in the Jump Off and finish at Newfound Gap. This is about 18 miles.
    - May would be a good time to see Rainbow Falls, the water should be running high. Mt. Leconte is the highest mountain in TN, there is a little rustic lodge at the top that you can stay at but you have to make reservations pretty far in advance. Charlies Bunion is my favorite hike in the park. It goes to a neat rock outcropping with great, wide open views. Newfound Gap has a big parking area, so its a good place to leave a car.

    Another option that would mostly follow the AT would be starting at Clingman's Dome, follow the AT to Rocky Top and Spence Field, and then head down to Cades Cove. This would be about 22 miles.
    - Clingman's Dome is a man-made tower and the highest point in TN. You would then approach Rocky Top from the opposite direction of Shuckstack. Cades Cove is probably the most popular area of the park and can get very crowded on weekends, but it has the best wildlife viewing in the park.

    All of these would require two cars, but all of them could be done starting from either end.
     
  44. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    Thanks for the in-depth info. I have done a few hikes as well here, only doing one overnighter at rabbit creek area (near Abrams Falls).
    Kind of hoping for a loop option to ease the logistics. Spence Field jumps out as a cool option, just gotta figure out how to make a cool (apx 20mi) loop out of it. May just need to get the maps out and see what I can make work.
    Thanks homie!
     
  45. tspa

    tspa Well-Known Member
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    It wouldn't be a true loop, but logistically easier, would be starting at one end of Cades Cove going up to Spence Field, continuing over Gregory Bald and down to the other end of Cades Cove. Your cars would not be hours apart here and that would be about 25 miles. If you hiked Cades Cove road back to the same parking lot it turns into 30 miles. You could probably catch a ride in the back of someone's truck for that stretch if you wanted.
    If you get out the map and try to figure something out, feel free to ask if you have any questions. I've been to most of the destinations, I just haven't done them as overnights.
     
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  46. Buenos Nachos

    Buenos Nachos Palabra.
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    Will do - appreciate ya!
     
  47. Phil Brickma

    Phil Brickma 4th cousin to Ed Orgeron's step-sister
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    Looking for a tent. I used to have a Big Agnes, which I liked, but looking for something cheaper because I don't go that much anymore. I'm looking for a two person. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
     
  48. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    REI Half Dome
     
  49. Cornelius Suttree

    Cornelius Suttree the smallest crumb can devour us
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    did the Mt Elden Lookout Trail in Coconino National Forest today. Gonna take a couple weeks living at high altitude again to get my cardio back where it needs to be. Went from 7,000 feet at the trailhead (about 10-15 minutes outside Flagstaff) to 9,300 at the fire lookout atop the mountain. Not a cloud in the sky, just a great few hours. Looking forward to getting my truck serviced Saturday so I can spend weekends at the Grand Canyon going forward



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    Humphreys Peak below
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  50. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
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    Are you living in AZ now?
     
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