canal Loops

“Beginning hikers need info.about canal loops @ LBL. Tips on how to prepare physically & outdooor wear,especially hiking boots. What are the basics needed for an overnight hike? Which trail @ LBL is good for an overnighter for beginners? Goal is for Sept. 2002”

“CGhiker comes by sometimes, has an outdoors store in Cumberland Gap. Might be a source of information.”

“The Canal Loop itself is only about 12 miles if you do the ehole thing. It's very well marked. Also, there are 3 connector trails that you could use to cut your trip shorter if you wanted to. The trail is basicly flat. There are some small ups & downs but nothing hard at all. There is not any clean water unless you want to filter lake water (Yuck).
If you decide to do any of the North-Sounth trail, The North half (between the Canal Loop & Golden Pond) is great. The Southern half is pretty lame. Jeep roads & horse trails. There is plenty of streams on the North half.
This time of the year you'll be eaten alive by ticks! The best time to hike out there is Fall & Winter.


Pathman, It's Carbiner that works in Paducah at a near by gear shop. CGhiker is Barb. She has a shop near Cumberland Gap.


Carbiner, Myself, or especially BPBaby can give you any info you need about LBL.

Gotta go to work now. I'll type more later.”

“Carbiner works at Hoopers Outdoor Store. It's in Paducha KY. Get off at exit 3 of I-24 and go north. The store is about 1/4 miles up on the Right. Ask for Paula. She's a sweet heart. Tell her Walkindude said Hi.”

“You were all very helpful in your responses. We were wondering if there is any clubs around here for hiking? Also, where would be a good place to start building stamina for these hikes? We will ck. out the sporting good stores & see if we meet Paula or not,Thanks again.”

“Paula teaches Rock Climbing & Backpacking in Murry, KY at the Y. At least she did the last time I spoke to her.
Where are you Gals from?

As far as getting in shape, The best way to prepare for backpacking is to just get out there and do it once you've learned a few bacics. Start out easy and keep building up to longer & harder trips. Pretty soon you'll be able to take on any terraine.
Also, just continue to ask lots of questions. This site gets pretty silly at times but there is a gold mine of knowledge to pick up here. No matter how stupid a question may seem, don't think anything of it. We're all glad to help you with it. We were all rookies at one time too. You could get the answer to a question that may keep you from getting hurt or lost.

LBL is a good place to break yourself into backpacking. The trails are well marked and the terraine is pretty easy.”

“We live pretty close to LBL. We haven't decided when for sure yet.Do you hike every weekend or what?You seem to get around alot.”

“I go during the the cold months. Don't care for being out in the heat. Plus I work alot during the Summer. I've been backpacking for about 14 years so yeah, I been to a few places.
Have you tried to talk to Paula yet?”

“Canal loop trails are not really good for a beginner overnight unless you want to carry water in to your campsite. They are great trails to train on, you can use one of the connectors to make the loop anywhere from 2 miles to 12. Lots of traffic on the canal loop also.

You might consider an in and out trip to one of the marked campsites on the LBL trail map. The campsites are chosen because there is water there practically year round. Be SURE to treat the water before using.

Ticks are really bad this year, and Lyme disease has been gotten at LBL. Make sure you use a strong iinsect repellent and check yourself for ticks often.

Basics for an overnighter for a beginner...shelter, food, sleeping bag and pad, water filter, insect repellent, light source, personal hygiene.

Make sure everyone in your party has a backcountry camping permit available at any of the welcome centers, $10.00 each, good for a year.

If you have any questions about a specific area, let me know, have hiked every trail up there many times and spent lots of nights out in those woods!

I don't get to this site often, email is bpbaby@bellsouth.net.

And, Paula is a sweetie isn't she Dude??”

“Forgotten important stuff:

DRINK, take lots of water with you, drink before you are thirsty, if you don't want to drink, do it anyway. It's awful hot here and you need lots of liquid.

Tell the folks at the welcome station where you are going and when you expect to be back...let them know when you return. Ask for someone to check on you if you would like that.”