backpacker without a trail

“Hi everyone,
Im new to the site, but after checking out a few thread you all seem like a fun group to talk to. I need some help finding a good trail. Do any of you know of any trails within a days drive of Chicago that I can spend a few days out on the trail without having to reserve a hiking shelter? I would realy like to find a loop that is over 20 miles. Oh and I like it rough. I'm looking for a hike not a walk in the park. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.”

“Someone post Prosecutor's list.”

“ok, i'll do it.


From the southwest Chicago suburb of Mokena where I [prosecutor] live, it is:

35 minutes to the I & M Canal, Rockdale, Illinois.
2 hours, 20 minutes to the Hennepin Canal Trail, Illinois.
2 hours, 45 minutes to Ice Age Trail, Kettle Morraine Forest, Wisconsin.
3 hours 58 minutes drive to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Michigan. (Open hiking amound the dunes)
4 hours 8 minute drive to 58 mile Knobstone Trail, Indiana.
4 hours 30 minutes to Deam Wilderness, Indiana (multiple loops)
4 hours, 55 minutes to 22 mile Manistee River Loop, Michigan.
5 hours, 30 minutes to Yellow River State Forest, Iowa
6 hours, 8 minutes to Red River Gorge, Kentucky. (Lotsa loops)
7 hours, 45 minutes to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan (Shuttle bus for backpackers)
7 hours, 45 minutes to North Country Trail, Drummond, Wisconsin. (early October, I can give you a shuttle)”
prosecutor
9:56:03 PM
6/15/05
ignore this user”

“Hey Hub! Did your wife deliver yet?

Dart, check out the trip's page on the site. A group of us are heading down to Mammoth Cave in November. We will probablt hike about 22 miles over 2 days. This should be right up your alley.

Another trip in September to Hoosier National Forest. That trip will be about 15 miles.

Shoot me an e-mail if you are interested

backpackn2@sbcglobal.net”

“Not yet, WK. A few more weeks or so.

I have been eyeing some of the midwest trips, but I'm probably going to be limited to virtual hikes with you guys for a little while. Someone needs to take a satellite video phone on these trips so I can hang around the fire with you guys.”