Help planning camping/hiking trip

[wolfmat3]

My friends and I want to do a 3-5 night camping trip where we either hike all around and set up camp or canoe down a river for an extended amount of time. Anyone have any input on where to go? We would like to be able to do some fishing wherever we go. We were thinking Kentucky or West Virginia, since I live in Florida and they are in Michigan (half way for both of us). None of us have done anything like this so I have no clue how to plan this. Any info would be appreciated. We don't want to do anything that has a guide or designated camp areas. We would like to try and rough it as much as possible.

Thanks

[Motown Spartan]

[pulling69]

[All Your Base]

Originally Posted by wolfmat3

My friends and I want to do a 3-5 night camping trip where we either hike all around and set up camp or canoe down a river for an extended amount of time. Anyone have any input on where to go? We would like to be able to do some fishing wherever we go. We were thinking Kentucky or West Virginia, since I live in Florida and they are in Michigan (half way for both of us). None of us have done anything like this so I have no clue how to plan this. Any info would be appreciated. We don't want to do anything that has a guide or designated camp areas. We would like to try and rough it as much as possible.

Thanks

[doug33]

If you're thinking Kentucky, take a look at the Red River Gorge. Another recommendation (albeit popular one), is the Smoky Mountains. It's big enough that you can get away from the crowds. I've had the best luck hiking for a few days out of Twentymile Ranger Station. Don't know too much about canoeing though, hiking is more my thing.

[wolfmat3]

Ok, by now I'm guessing I will get constructive input

[wolfmat3]

Thanks doug

[SpartanBoiler]

Stick to places with designated camping areas. You'll like it more than you think and things like potable water tend to come in handy over the course of three to five days.

Read books on wherever you're going before you go - it will make the trip much more enjoyable.

[ProcrastiSTATE]

Before you go watch an entire season of Bear Grylls and just do what he does. And take pictures of your adventures.

[doug33]

Originally Posted by SpartanBoiler

Stick to places with designated camping areas. You'll like it more than you think and things like potable water tend to come in handy over the course of three to five days.

I'll agree with that, of course, if you pick the right secluded area for your hike, you can have designated campsites, but no fellow campers to share it with, which is the perfect world. The only areas I know of off the top of my head that don't have designated campsites in the backcountry are North Manitou Island (if you consider that backcountry) and a few parks up in Canada.

[wolfmat3]

Originally Posted by SpartanBoiler

Stick to places with designated camping areas. You'll like it more than you think and things like potable water tend to come in handy over the course of three to five days.

Read books on wherever you're going before you go - it will make the trip much more enjoyable.

Do you think 3-5 days is too long for beginners? Would we be better off with like 3 days and 2 nights or something like that? 1/2 of us are outdoorsmen/hunters and the other half not.

[And He Got it!]

bring tons of weed

[Gary in Bradenton]

Originally Posted by wolfmat3

Do you think 3-5 days is too long for beginners? Would we be better off with like 3 days and 2 nights or something like that? 1/2 of us are outdoorsmen/hunters and the other half not.

3-5 days is fine, especially if you are canoeing, rafting, etc. If you are hiking just make sure to not overdo it on a daily basis.

I think the Smoky Mountains are a pretty solid place to go for a first trip. Beautiful area, not too grueling.

[doug33]

Originally Posted by wolfmat3

Do you think 3-5 days is too long for beginners? Would we be better off with like 3 days and 2 nights or something like that? 1/2 of us are outdoorsmen/hunters and the other half not.

My first backpacking trip was 8 days, 7 nights, but that definitely isn't the norm. I think 5 days would be perfect. For me, it doesn't really get to be really fun until the 3rd day and you're feeling more comfortable with your pack and getting into the rhythm of backpacking. I would go for 5 days just so you get a full experience of what its like. Even after going on lots of trips, the first 2 days just make my back and legs hurt. The days after that are when it really becomes enjoyable.

Another word of advice, don't plan huge distances for the 2nd day. The first day you can move pretty well because you're excited. The 2nd day everything usually hurts and a long hike just aggravates things. You're body just isn't quite used to the particular stresses.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and have fun, backpacking is a fantastic way to escape all the pressures of normal life!

[Timber]

Originally Posted by wolfmat3

Do you think 3-5 days is too long for beginners? Would we be better off with like 3 days and 2 nights or something like that? 1/2 of us are outdoorsmen/hunters and the other half not.

Depends on the distance and equipment. 5 days is going to mean a lot of food. Add that to whatever you're able to scrap together equipment wise(guaranteed your tents will be heavy) and you might have more weight on your backs than you intended to.

This will lead to exhaustion and anger. I only know this because I have taken begginers out hiking.

Going for 3 days means you can carry a little less and the end is in sight for any of the miserable folks.

Edit: You can always keep your days light on the distance as well.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by wolfmat3

Do you think 3-5 days is too long for beginners? Would we be better off with like 3 days and 2 nights or something like that? 1/2 of us are outdoorsmen/hunters and the other half not.

Watch a few episodes of "I shouldn't be alive" season 3.

I Shouldn't Be Alive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1/2 of you may be able to handle some ****... the other half will .

I am an Eagle Scout (flame on) and my wife was a guide at Yellowstone for 2 years, and we are fairly conservative because **** happens.

If you are going to go rustic as ****, bring an experienced local. If you are going to have to climb, bring a 5 star climber, etc. **** can happen we all never think of and not knowing where you are could compound that.

IF you want to do it crazy rustic anyway, just over prepare.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by And He Got it!

bring tons of weed

...and this.

Remeber with the 1.2 nonoutdoors to make sure they have proper equipment bfore you go. Proper fitting packs, Proper footwear.... things they will overlook.

[And He Got it!]

Originally Posted by chachi

...and this.

Remeber with the 1.2 nonoutdoors to make sure they have proper equipment bfore you go. Proper fitting packs, Proper footwear.... things they will overlook.

me and my friend are going to mammoth cave and then another national park in VA (SH something).

and no flaming on you being an eagle scout. that's cool. my pops and uncle and best friends are eagle scouts. kinda wish i would have done it.

[doug33]

Originally Posted by chachi

I am an Eagle Scout (flame on) and my wife was a guide at Yellowstone for 2 years, and we are fairly conservative because **** happens.

That makes two of us here.

[Agent Green]

I also recommend Smoky Mountain National Park. I went there for a few days over Spring Break this year, it's a beautiful area. The park has a handful of camp sites that I would still consider "roughing it". Our site was a 5 mile walk on trails from where we parked and we didn't encounter a single person for the few days we were out there. The site itself really only consisted of a small clearing in the woods with a fire pit and bear lines a few yards off.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by doug33

That makes two of us here.

Only a few of us left Doug. They have actually made it quite easier now but there are so few scouts it is like the VFW/American Legion... soemthing I doubt will be around all that much longer.

To the OP, if the new guys don't have packs make them get something fit and decent... We use Osprey packs... not too expensive. I use an Argon 110 and the wife an Atmos 50. I carry the heavier stuff and put the more important things in her smaller pack. If you are going distances make sure they get packs with good wasit/chest support/load distribution or they will feel the pain. Make them load thos bastards up and walk 10 miles before you go to see where the pressure points/pain/etc. are so they are not surprised.

[ylspartanfan]

For the kind of trip you're talking about, you'll want to hike in Nantahala, the Great Smokey Mountains or Pisgah National Forest. All have great options for wilderness hiking distances that you're looking for, plus secluded (especially this time of year) and would be the closest thing you're looking for travel wise. They're all more 60/40 distance wise with you doing the 40 coming from Florida, but they'll give you the best options for what you're looking for. I was on staff with a youth program in upstate South Carolina and took kids on many weekend and weeklong trips in all three and could suggest some more specific trips if you want to pm me.

[Delta Grove]

Howell

[The European Death Knot]

Generally good advice here.

First off, good luck - it should be a great time. I don't think you need anyone to lecture you on your inexperience. Please just be responsible (e.g., leave no trace ethics, don't call search and rescue if your filtered water tastes salty, etc.).

Secondly, the best place to find solitude, rustic camping, and multi-day hikes are in the national forests. I know there are a few in WV-TN-KY (if that is the area you are focusing on).

Finally, there is a significant difference between being gone three and five days. If each of you have no problem with heavy packs and great workouts, the five-day trip will be fine. Considering your group, you likely will be bringing way too much crap (and heavy crap at that), so I'm guessing you guys will be loaded pretty heavy even on a three-day trip. As mentioned by someone else, it may be best to set up a base camp a few miles in, and do day trips (with light packs) from there.

[Colonel Forbin]

Originally Posted by The European Death Knot

Generally good advice here.

First off, good luck - it should be a great time. I don't think you need anyone to lecture you on your inexperience. Please just be responsible (e.g., leave no trace ethics, don't call search and rescue if your filtered water tastes salty, etc.).

Secondly, the best place to find solitude, rustic camping, and multi-day hikes are in the national forests. I know there are a few in WV-TN-KY (if that is the area you are focusing on).

Finally, there is a significant difference between being gone three and five days. If each of you have no problem with heavy packs and great workouts, the five-day trip will be fine. Considering your group, you likely will be bringing way too much crap (and heavy crap at that), so I'm guessing you guys will be loaded pretty heavy even on a three-day trip. As mentioned by someone else, it may be best to set up a base camp a few miles in, and do day trips (with light packs) from there.

Outstanding advice.


I'm a bit weary that he wants to go backcountry and has zero experience doing so though. I can really see those guys way overpacking for a 5 day trip and not being able to handle the weight they bring with them.

That said, I'd say National Forests as mentioned, or possibly Great Smoky Mountains NP. Or Shenandoah NP.