Best US hikes - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**kingcrazylegs** · 01-25-2005, 09:52 PM

Yea, SD and I are looking to do some major US wandering this summer and we are looking at wear to hit the trail and find some awesome hikes, preferabley long several day hikes in deep backcountry. The NW is what I am thinking as Glacier NP in Montana is on the top of my list, along with the NPs in Washington State, Redwood NP in Northern Cali and such....

What do you guys think...what are the best hikes in the US?

**U2fan** · 01-26-2005, 07:58 AM

I always think it would be cool to hike the Appalachian Trail, and you can pick it up anywhere between Georgia or Maine...it would be awesome to do the whole thing, but I think I'd get really bored after a week or so

**space virgin** · 01-26-2005, 09:22 AM

Here's a list of some of the trails in Washington State Parks. The John Wayne Trail is pretty cool from what I've heard.

The Iron Horse State Park has some really great trails with varying scenery-- it's nestled right where the Cascade Mountains meet the dry desert-ish hills of central WA.

**omisan** · 01-26-2005, 10:55 AM

One of my best, most challenging hikes was doing the Yosemite backcountry, starting at the northern side (near Tuolomne Meadows) from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir up to Laurel Lake. Beautiful, peaceful, adventurous, and so few people for miles around.

**kingcrazylegs** · 01-26-2005, 11:52 AM

Yea, we were thinking about the Appalachian Trail too...wonder how much we could actually stand to do all at once?

SV: Iron Horse does sound cool, and Washington is one of the places I'd like to check out...I'll have to look into it.

Omi, thats a great pic!!!

**TheJake** · 01-26-2005, 12:02 PM

DO THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

it rawks the house

**Tadpole** · 01-26-2005, 12:33 PM

The Appalachian Trail is a very good hike. I live just 30 minutes away from it in South Carolina and it is great hiking around here. I would definitly put the Appalachian Trail on your list for a couple of days. The whole thing would get boring to me but the mountains and trails are so much different from those out west. My cousin hiked the whole trail over two summers and if you were intersted I could ask her which part was the most intersesting.

**kingcrazylegs** · 01-26-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tadpole@Jan 26 2005, 03:33 PM
My cousin hiked the whole trail over two summers and if you were intersted I could ask her which part was the most intersesting.

Please do...That would be great!

travelmatt · 01-26-2005, 08:32 PM

I go to school literally 5 minutes off of the at in virginia. Everyone ive talked to and all of the experience ive had says that the at is overrated. The best trails (at least around here) are the side trails. Some of the AT trails ive been on are ok, but the ones with the best views and etc. are better on some of the trails around the area. If anyone wants more info, PM me. Hope this helps

**glorious_day** · 01-27-2005, 06:20 AM

man, there are some gorgeous places to hike in north carolina that i remember from when i was a kid. lots of waterfalls and cliffs. have you ever been to ashville, anthon? i know you lived in south carolina for a time but not what town. ashville isn't too far away from charleston. once again, i'm so jealous of (but glad for) you guys. there is so much beautiful country out there that IS NOT here in the metroplex.

**kingcrazylegs** · 01-27-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by glorious_day@Jan 27 2005, 09:20 AM
man, there are some gorgeous places to hike in north carolina that i remember from when i was a kid.* lots of waterfalls and cliffs.* have you ever been to ashville, anthon?* i know you lived in south carolina for a time but not what town.* ashville isn't too far away from charleston.* once again, i'm so jealous of (but glad for) you guys.* there is so much beautiful country out there that IS NOT here in the metroplex.*

Yea I have been to Ashville. I lived about 45 min from N Carolina, and used to drive up and hike a lot. Do you ever remember going to a place called Big Bradley Falls? or Saluda Falls? Amazing hiking out there!!!

Oh...TMatt...Yea I've been looking into the AT and am not really that impressed with a lot of it...I mean the idea of such a long trail is awesome, but some of the reviews of big parts of it suck...still researching though.

travelmatt · 01-27-2005, 11:10 AM

If you ever want to check out southwest virginia, let me know; i know some good places around and only one or two are on the trail. Theres one called Macafee's Knob (sp?), just amazing view, and its a sidetrail of the AT

**TheJake** · 01-27-2005, 12:38 PM

Anthon you have to hit up the Colorado Rockies. They are the most ruggedly beautiful place I have ever seen in my entire life.

**kingcrazylegs** · 01-30-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jakethepunk@Jan 27 2005, 03:38 PM
Anthon you have to hit up the Colorado Rockies. They are the most ruggedly beautiful place I have ever seen in my entire life.

Yea, I've been out there, but its been some years. Certainly want to get some searious hiking out there.

**kyle j** · 01-30-2005, 12:17 PM

Well Ill go ahaead and throw in the Florida Trail it runs through the whole state down to the everglades but for the summer it may be too hot to do really but there are some cool springs and up north there are even some hills, ok so actually i wouldnt hike in florida just drive to the springs up north get in for the day and get out it will be too hot, but i have read there is a big trail running along the great lakes that might be cool during the summer I dont know if anyone else has info on it.....

**kingcrazylegs** · 02-02-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kyle j@Jan 30 2005, 02:17 PM
i have read there is a big trail running along the great lakes that might be cool during the summer

That would be awesome..let me know if you find any info

**kyle j** · 02-02-2005, 06:11 PM

Heres that trail looks pretty coolNorth Country Trail

**kingcrazylegs** · 02-02-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kyle j@Feb 2 2005, 08:11 PM
Heres that trail looks pretty coolNorth Country Trail

I'm looking at the site and the trail looks pretty good. Certainly a part of the US that would be nice hiking!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-03-2005, 10:24 AM

Hey KCL - If I remember correctly from a previous post of yours, you might be in NH at some point? If so, there are some nice hikes in the White Mountains. here is a link to some info if you have any interest.

White Mountains - NH

**kingcrazylegs** · 02-03-2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LiveFreeorDie@Feb 3 2005, 12:24 PM
Hey KCL - If I remember correctly from a previous post of yours, you might be in NH at some point?* If so, there are some nice hikes in the White Mountains.* here is a link to some info if you have any interest.

White Mountains - NH

Thanks dude! Yea, we''ll be in New Hamshire this summer for a week... thanks for the link. Do you live in that area?