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Hike-In Camping?


Guest Hal

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I know there have been threads about camping sites before, but I couldn't find a good answer. I'm looking for somewhere good to do some hike-in camping this spring. I'm not talking 1/2 mile hikes, but rather, 5+ miles. Does anyone know somewhere good within driving distance (4 hrs or less)?
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We go camping & hiking in Hocking hills quite a bit, they have some nice 5+ mile hikes. We also go to Mohican state park quite a bit.

For closer to home hikes and biking we go to the alum creek park.

 

There are a few longer 14+ mile backpacking trails in ohio as well, you can find the info on those and a lot of other hiking trails in ohio at:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/facilitiesmaps/backpacking/tabid/492/Default.aspx

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hocking hills in ohio.,,good for a day hike....but who hasent been there 5times already....

 

Daniel Boone national Forrest KY is a great trip. we where there last spring. did 2days in the bush last year during springbreak Covered 18 some odd miles(we where moving at a decent speed with the possibility of tracing out way back)

 

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_trail/ky/sheltowe.htm

 

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://flyingfishmanky.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/mb1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://flyingfishmanky.com/id19.html&h=483&w=644&sz=118&hl=en&start=18&sig2=tpK8X35Ex1UM4At6VjVUvg&um=1&tbnid=IwtET2HJ00HUzM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&ei=JsGBR6n1B5-4esmwpUA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcumberland%2Bfalls%2Bmoonbow%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GZHY_enUS250US250%26sa%3DN

This one has pics from the trail itself

 

It isnt high altitude, so you dont still have ice and snow like you would in smoky mtn national park in Tenn(we actually looked there first, but went with KY d/t the lower altitude) Very nice when you are humping in the day Cool enough to be in pants, a long sleeve shirt(polypro, Under Armor what have you..) and a light fleece during the day. but not so cold it was uncomfortable (30+deg at night though) Just about the entire time you are hiking along the sheltowee river, so you aways have h20. Factoid: sheltowee river has Cumberland Falls 2nd largest waterfall east of mississippi. The trailhead we used started at the waterfall.

There are shelters on the trail. But bring a tent just incase.

 

when you get done hiking the people down there are as friendly as can be, and there is alot of history about coal mining. We check out 2 old coal mines that had be somewhat restored for historical value. Plenty of bars intown area to watch march madness. And if you are that big of a fan, you drive right though Louisville.

 

 

 

If you cant tell by now, i had a blast and HIghly recommend it... best 5days and under hike ive done. the trails are moderate Not really that tough.

 

it was really a reat trip. BEAUTIFUL. in the "rainforest" part with heavy coverage, it is as green as late spring. I plan on going back for an extended weekend hike again in the spring.

 

PM me if you want more details, or a list of stuff you might wanna bring/how to dress

Cumberland falls and its "moonbow"

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2599/cumberlandfallsmoonbowon6.jpg

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As mentioned before - ODNR is a great resource. I enjoyed hiking the Zaleski Backpack loop in southern Ohio. Don't have all the info with me this morning, but ODNR has all the details. North & Soth Loop - or combine for longer trip. No shelters, but water & latrines at designated camp areas. Some interesting Ohio history at places on the trail marked with numbered posts - and spelled out in the trail guide. Also near the Moonville tunnel - supposedly haunted, interesting side trip.
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I usually go to Zaleski down near athens, the full loop is like 25 miles I believe. I did it two years ago in January (Freakin cold) but was fun. But you can divide it up into smaller loops which I do more often, especially when I have the girl or the dog
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Shawnee hills loop if you're not a pussy. :)

I'm not, but my girl is :cool:

 

Is there anywhere near that you DON'T have to camp at a campsite? I would prefer to find my own small clearing, rather than one setup for me.

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Is there anywhere near that you DON'T have to camp at a campsite? I would prefer to find my own small clearing, rather than one setup for me.

Lake Vesuvius Rec Area, down in the Wayne National Forest near Ironton. Great place, lots of rock and such. You cant camp in the Rec Area at all, but once you're in the National Forest, you can camp anywhere as long as its Xft from the trail. Easy trail too, woman should dig it. Saw two snakes last time, one was a copperhead (driving a Tacoma!), so be aware.

We found an overhang cave there, almost as big as Ash Cave (largest int he state). It's not on any map or survey. Give ya a buck if you can find it in the summer. ;)

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