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i live in oberlin and was wondering if anyone knows of good hikes- day hike or backpacking- somewhat nearby. i am without car, but happy to bike a couple hours( although closer is better). also let me know if you're interested in coming along, new friends are always welcome!
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So a small group of us is heading up to do a week of canoeing in Algonquin starting Sunday, 9/5 through Saturday, 9/11. We are paddling/portaging a loop out of Cedar Lake. I am super excited. Anyone have any Algonquin stories or tips to share to further assure a memorable experience? I'd appreciate any advice. We do have some canoe tripping experience, but this is our first Algonquin trip.
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I haven't been to Algonquin since the mid 1980's. I was there as a 15 year old with my father for a two week trip. We did what is known as the Northwest Corner loop. Manitou lake, North Tea Lake, etc... We saw the Northern Lights while there as well as the abundant wildlife. One day while eating breakfast, a red fox strolled into camp. We sat very still as he approached the campfire area. Before my father could get the lens cap off of his camera, the fox was gone. We did get a nice photo (from a distance) of a moose cow. She was tagged so we reported her location to the ranger when we returned to our car. It is a beautiful area, enjoy it. In October my father is coming to visit and I am taking him canoeing up in the Adirondacks (St. Regis Canoe Wilderness). Interestingly, I am now the age he was when we were in Algonquin.
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I've canoed Algonquin once. I launched out of Canoe Lake on the Park's southern boundary. I have not been up as far noth as you'll be. My travel went from Canoe Lake to Joe L. to Little Joe L. to Burnt Island L. to Otterslide L. and Otterslide Creek to Big Trout L. to Lake La Muir to Hogan L. to Sunfish L and Catfish L. and reversing back to Big Trout L. to White Trout L. to McIntosh L. to Tom Thompson L. to Tepee L. to Canoe L. 75 miles canoeing and 10.3 miles portaging. Campsites close in to launch point are overused (weekend canoers, can't speek for the North side) but once you get farther into the interior I never had a bad campsite. Beautiful sites on a lake's edge or beautiful site on an island I Had one island site that was 25-30 above water - great view.
And the call of the Loons - to die for. We got caught in a low power cyclone (no rain, just a circlar wind pattern)coming down Catfish Lake, we had whitecaps and strong headwind. It took us some very hard paddling to make it to an island and wait out the storm. The combination of wind, whitecaps, and the low level of stability of our kevlar canoe caused us to experience some serious sphincter puckering. We lucked out and had no rain for 7 days. If your weather's generally good, you cant help but have a great experience.
We made all of our portages a one trip portage. My partner carried his pack and the canoe, I carried my pack, a 10lb very roomy 3-man tent, and 2 5-gal pails of food and other stuff. We used bungees to secure paddles in rear of canoe to make it slightly back heavy. then we tied a light rope to bow which the canoe mule could hold to balance his load. You need to rig some padding for your back of neck and shoulders where the yoke will rest.
On a couple of very short portages, we'd leave gear in canoe and I'd pickup the bow and my partner the rear and we'd just carry that way over the shorter distances. Depends on the terrain too. I remember we had one portage that was a boulder scramble for the first 200 feet.
I'm ready for another canoe trip. I really enjoy the solitude, I can enjoy the scenery more than with backpacking. With backpacking, I spend too much time watching my feet, but with canoeing there's no foot watching - a huge panorama of scenery is available for your eyes. Good luck.
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Get the lightest canoe you can - you have miles and miles of portages. If you can figure out a way to carry everything in one go over a portage, you will save loads of time.
I always prefered island campsites, more privacy. However since you will be deep into the park that may not be an issue.
I don't know when the rut is for moose, but if it is when you are there, be very careful around them - they are HUGE. I think they are so ugly they are cute.
I know you will have a great time - enjoy.
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In many of the lakes there will be a plentiful supply of mussels. Unfortunately the loggers sprayed the floating logs with a spray that contained mercury. This somehow made the logs float better. The overspray went straight to the bottom where the aquatic life still ingests this mercury.
Ask your outfitter which lakes are 'safe'.
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I've been trekking in Algonquin each summer for about the past 12-13 years. I've done a number of lakes (several of them already mentioned) a number of times, and also have gone down the Tim river, which is a very nice lazy, windy stroll through some beautiful country.
I've seen a lot of moose, especially in the early mornings, and of course, the loons, without which it just wouldn't be Canada. I've seen black bear a few times, but never in the interior -- it's always been on the perimeter of park where campers are more numerous.
Just about any area you go will be good, provided you stay away from the busier areas near the camps and campgrounds. If you can, do a trip that takes you a day or two into the interior...you're likely not to see many people at all.
But be prepared for *every* weather condition - it can get quite cool at night. I've recorded temps in the 30's F in August. And it's usually quite windy, so even though it might look like a warm sunny day the wind can keep you pretty cool.
Storms can kick up pretty fast, too. A couple of years ago we had just made camp when a nasty thunderstorm came through and shot 1/2" - sized hailstones at us for a good 45 minutes, without letting up. (And those babies hurt!) The landscape was covered with them and it looked like snow on the ground. Two days later I still found pockets of hailstones in the shaded areas.
So just be prepared.
As someone else suggested, if you are doing portages of any distance, get the lightest kevlar canoe you can afford -- you will appreciate it later, on the trial. You should be able to easily find a 17' kevlar canoe that weighs ~40-45 lbs. Stay away from the aluminum canoes which are usually not designed to be portaged. And, they're heavy.
But Algonquin is quite an experience -- there is nothing I miss more than the loons calling one another across the lakes at night. That, is a treat!
Also, if you are driving up from the Cleveland area, I found a nice restaurant on Lake Ontario that makes a very nice rest stop. It's called the "Lake House", and it's just past St. Catherine's on the QEW, maybe an hour after you cross into Canada. You can google it for details.
Anyhow, Enjoy....
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Here we go! Leaving Saturday morning and driving up to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park to spend a night. We will get up early Sunday and get our permit and our 42 lb. Kevlar canoes and start paddling SE on Cedar Lake. We spend Sunday night on Radiant Lake, Monday on Dickson Lake, Tuesday on Big Crow Lake, Wednesday on Lake La Muir, Thursday on Burntroot Lake, Friday on Catfish Lake and out on Saturday. I'm super excited and looking forward to some shore lunches. Hopefully, these hurricanes coming in don't spread out enough to dump rain on us. See you next week!
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My brothers and I plan a backpacking trip once a year. This year it will be near my brother in Cleveland. In the past we went to Alleghany NF but are hoping to find some back country closer. What is the camping like at Cuyahoga NP? We like to get off the beaten path. Is there somewhere else I should be checking out? The trip will be late October but I'm coming from Vermont- a little snow doesn't scare me
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Plan to hike a three day hike in the smokies one weekend in late oct. start at cosby campground fri morning hike to tri corner shelter on A t about 9 mi with a 3600 ft elev. gain. Sat hike over to mt sterling fire tower and camp at BC site there about 11 mi. generally level trail. Sunday return to cosby decending to walnut bttoms and going back over stateline divide on low gap trail. about 11 mi.
chilly temps with possible below freezeing overnight.
a very nice hike, good views and remote area e-mail if interested or post questions
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A few of us tried this trip last year, didn't have much luck with the weather. I would really like to get back up there. I was thinking of sometime in Sept. The area would be the High Peaks wilderness, 20-30+ miles over the course of 3-5? days. Trails are fairly rough above 3000, lots of rocks and easy scrambling near summits. A place you definitely want to pack light. I would be pretty open to route and distance, but would want do hit Marcy and the ridgeline trail NE from Marcy as we didnt get to that section last year, which is the highlite of the area. If anyone is interested let me know, as I have only been on one trip with this group and dont know if I can start a trip (Maybe a mod can let me post this as I am qualified to lead this trip. Trailhead, Footloose, and Marty can vouch for me?)
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I was given permission to post/lead trips. Ill be putting this up soon, but if anyone has any interest and has any specific dates they would like to try this, let me know... Im pretty free through Sept.
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Not sure of the route you are planning, but if by the ridgeline you mean from Rt73 via WolfsJaws, Armstrong, Gothics, etc... to Marcy is a tough hike especially with a full pack. As an FYI in the eastern High Peaks group size is limited to 8 and requires a bear canister (other regulations are also in effect). Have fun.
PS. There is also much more to the Adirondacks than just the mountain range... less people in the other 5million acres too.
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Yeah, thats the trail. True, it is a popular area, but Ive been there a few times and have found seclusion. Though its no guarantee. The summits views are well worth it though. And its definitely your typical New England trail system, old school, straight up the mountain. Thats why its really important to keep packs light to have an enjoyable experience and cover some decent ground. Day hike summits from Leanto base camps could be done as well. Like I said, Im pretty open to the trip logistics, I just want to hit that section and cover something close to 20 miles, but am open to 30-40. There are endless options in that area with the trail system and would like to keep it open to garner some interest. Ill be posting soon.
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I want to take my kids, 15,13,& 10 on a simple first back packing trip this fall. I would like to do this in the Cuyahoga National Parks, and set up camp at Stanford back country campsites. My question is what would be some good paths that would put me at the camp ground. I was thinking no more then 5 miles in and out.:)
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One option is to hike from Jaite to Boston then to Stanford. This would be just shy of 6 miles. You may be able to leave your car at the rangers parking lot off of Riverview road. This is a hilly part of the Buckeye Trail.
Another option on the Buckeye is Pine Lane to Boston - 4 miles. Again check with the rangers on parking over night
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I have day hiked most of the trails in the CVNP with my children, it is close and convenient. Is there any reason that you would not consider another park? It is a beautiful valley but, IMHO, there are better places not too far away.
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Since it's been 20 years since my last backpacking trip and my kids first trip I wanted something close and simple. I like the idea that a road is never far away if something happens.( my Daughter says she wants to go and can handle it, but I want a plan B with her) If this trip goes well, I would love to take the kids to Minister Creek.
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Does anyone have a downloadable mab of Flathead National Forest. I googled a good spot to hike for three or for days but can't find any roads within twenty miles of where I want to be. I also do not know if it is a trail or not. It is near the divide slightly to the west. I wanted to follow the ridge; there are a few lakes along the route in some high valleys. I am trying to plot out a loop. Any information would help!! Thanks!!
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You can download visitor maps from the Flathead National Forest official site under the maps and brochures section, but these are not topos. If you are looking near the Continental Divide you almost certainly looking at a place in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (Bob Marshall, Great Bear, Scapegoat Wildernesses) just south of Glacier National Park. This is the largest Wilderness area in the Lower 48. Not surprising that you didn't see nearby roads. There are several access points(trailheads) on the east and west sides. There are good topo maps available of the Bob, as it is affectionately known. You can also download USGS quads in PDF form from the USGS website for free. The Bob is wonderful hiking with an extensive trail network, but it is nearly empty compared to Glacier National Park to its north. Be prepared for a true wilderness experience, including lots of grizzlies. You must be very able and self sufficient, as there are few rangers or even other hikers to help you in an emergency. And take a GPS. If not REALLY experienced consider Glacier National Park as a still wild but safer bet. And don't go in alone.
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Thanks for the info. I do have a GPS. I have done quite a bit of research about Bears as well. I am more than a little afraid, but I am going anyways. I have hiked a couple hundred miles out west and saw only one bear and that was in Yellowstone from my truck on the side of the road. I got out to take a picture but the little bugger took off on me. Damn camera took to long to turn on. Aperently they have a bear broblem in Aspen in the the fall. Maybe I should go there. But I'm not. I need to but a bear container and some bear spray.
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Just curious as if anyone has hiked around mohican state park. It looks like there is a trail (hemlock gorge) that is about 9 miles. i'm guessing not to strenuous. Wondering if anyone backpacked this area or just used it as a day hike. I have been here canoeing many years ago but never hiked this area.
Looking at heading about 2-3 hrs from y-town, ohio. Looking for area with hiking near water, and possibly biking and sun bathing :) So any other favorite areas/advice you guys have please share
thanks
renee
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Check out the Mohican sate park map in the club library. Helmock gorge is a nice trail along the river. One washed out section on the side of a hill, but mostly flat. Also the bike trail is excellent, very well maintained and open to hiking (as are all trails in the state forest). The day hike trails such as Lyons falls were the muddiest, least maintained in the park. There are a few designated backpacking sites which are first come first servered, based on a self check-in at the ranger station. If I had ever posted a trip report from my March 2009 hike, there would have been more information on the site...
There are several options for loops using the bike trails. I really enjoyed the area.
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One other note, there are no streams or treatable water sources near the backcountry camp sites, so plan carying your water. Drinking water is available at the state park class A and class B campgrounds.
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There are a lot of multi-use trails (mountain bike and bridle) that can be combined into a relatively long trek. Some have streams as water sources. You should know however, that the covered bridge over the river will be closed for 45 days to do roadwork. I've been trying to find out if it will be open to pedestrian traffic but as of now I haven't heard. If you hike below route 97 there are a couple of real nice camp sites and some that are ok.
I hope to put something together this fall for a night or two but am waiting for word on the status of the bridge.
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That's a shallow river....wade it!!!
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You might wade it in some places BUT if the spillway is open it could be dangerous or impossible.
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