WHERE TO GO!?

“Hey kids. My buddies and I are looking at going on a 3 day 2 night trip the first week of November and it is pretty much up to me to plan since I dont think they know what they are doing. lol Anyway, a good friend of mine and I had wanted to finally make it up to the Adirondacks but its going to be too cold for the other guys so since we live in Cincinnati Ohio I have decided to stick to either Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, or North Carolina and am having a hard time finding the right place. To give you an idea of what I am looking for, I am hoping to find a wilderness area since there aren't any designated camp sites and we will be forced to "rough it" as apposed to having shelters and whatnot. Also this should keep "under rock suprises" at shared campsites to a minimum. Plus we are hoping not to see another soul for the 3 days yet have some good hiking. I thought I had decided on Clifty Wilderness in the Red River Gorge but there only looks to be like 10 miles of trails (from what I have found) in the Wilderness area itself. Does anyone have any ideas? Anything is very appreciated!

+Cheers!

-Craig”

“I'd recommend the Boundary Waters in January. Never seen another hiker during that time.”

“Cranberry WA in WbGV”

“The Boundary Waters are a little too much of a drive for us right now.”

“If you are going during the week M-F RRG will be yours to yourself. Same goes for the Big South Fork, Beaver Creek Wilderness which is almost always deserted except for hunting season, Cave Run lake, or just about anyplace you want to go in DBNF. There is Mammoth Cave NP or Cumberland Gap NP.

November in Big South is usually nice if you are willing to get in away for the touron areas. You will need to aquire a backcountry pass for overnight.

Speaking of hunting season I do believe deer is on...call to be sure. If you don't have orange stuff get some.”

“Mammoth cave fits a few of your points. There are 77 or so miles of backcountry trails within in the park and in some cases you will see few people. You do have to reserve campsites, however they are free.

Check out this trip page from my last trip there.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/753.php”

“Has anybody done any backcountry packing in the Clifty Wilderness area that might be able to give me some info on it? Such as trails, logging trails, scenery, water sources, etc? Thanks alot!”

“HHHMMMM...seems you already have your mind made up...so why didn't just say it to begin with?

Except up on the ridges water is not a problem anywhere in the RRG including Clifty. If you wish to bushwack and do some exploring the areas has arches, rockhouses, waterfalls, and cliffs that if you are adventurous you can find a way to the top. The area was logged and is crisscrossed with logging roads that you can use if you are good with a map and compass or GPS savy. I will tell you that a past winter storm has left lots of blowdown of pine trees killed by the Southern Pine bark beetle. Other than that I will not tell you anymore...I don't expect people to plan my trips nor do I plan trips for other people.

Good luck.”

“Well thanks for the heads up sticks. After everyones sugestions and talking to the rest of my group it appears that the common decision was to stick with Clifty, and since I am part of the group that means me too. Also I do not expect anyone to plan my trips for me, but seeing as I have never explored this place I figured you guys might be able to give me a heads up on what to look for and what I should keep in mind for the less physically fit in my group.

Thanks for the help guys and happy hunting!

P.S. Sticks you might want to watch how you phrase things because someone might take offense to some of your comments.”

“Yeah, got that sticks? Lol. The troll tells it like it is!”

“Snowshoe, Cass, Durbin triangle in WV is one I would like to do someday if I ever get organized enough to do it. Doubt you would run into many people if any.”

“Cumberland Gap NP is under appreciated in my book.”