Zaleski Forest TR

“Zaleski TR – Salem’s version

Friday morning Bearbag, and myself left his house early, and headed towards Zaleski, but not before stopping at IHOP for stuffed French toast. We arrived at Zaleski around 11am, and since it was sprinkling a little we decided to drive around, and see the park. Around 1 it was still sprinkling a little, and the time had come to throw on the packs, and begin our hike. We started at the parking lot across from the Hope Furnace. Hiking clock-wise towards camp site H. We climbed several good size hills with some very nice ridge walking. Looking down 200 to 300 feet, and with the most of the leaves off of the trees you could see quit a distance. We hiked about 5 ½ miles on Friday. When we arrived at camp there was no one else there which was nice to see. Having a water pump, and an outhouse close-by was a nice luxury that we don’t usually have. Bearbag and myself got a nice fire going, and cooked our dinners. About half-way through it started sprinkling again. We decided that we had enough of the rain, and hit the sack early. Around midnight Nigal, and his friend Mike aka Larry showed-up, and we chatted for awhile. It had cleared-up by this time, and Nigel decided to just cowboy camp.

Saturday morning we all got up early, and had breakfast, and hit the trail. We continued hiking clock-wise, and saw some nice rocky areas as we were hiking along. We hiked down to point F, and then took the connector trail over, and down to campsite C. It didn’t rain on us, but was noticeably colder than Friday. Saturday night we had good time sitting around the fire laughing at Nigal. I mean laughing with Nigal. It was great to talk about past hikes, and future hikes we want to do.

Sunday morning was cold, and we all got up, and had breakfast. Bearbag, and myself packed-up shortly after breakfast to hit the road since we had a long drive back. Zaleski Forest offered some very nice views, and rocky areas. Bearbag, and I commented,”That we wanted to go back, and hike parts of the loops that we missed some day.””

“Hey Salem!!
Nice TR!! Did you take any pics? I am gonna go to Zaleski Forest someday, maybe this spring!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“It was a great trip with great folks. I froze my ass off Saturday night. From 1am on my feet were frozen and I hardly slept. They're still cold today. Mike, AKA Larry, AKA UkeLarry thought he'd shave some weight from his pack by bringing his summer bag. He had every stitch of clothing he brought on. He climbed out of his tent the next morning and I said, "Well at least it didn't take ya long to get dressed this morning.". LOL!”

“you mean nigal was able to find you in the dark?...you're getting better ;)”

“LOL!

”

“Randall,

Yeah, Bearbag took some pictures, so maybe he'll post some of them.

Nigal,

Laughing at your last post. It was great to hike with you, and Mike.

Later”

“Salem: Sounds like you enjoyed Zaleski.. I have on my 3 hikes there. As for it not being crowded, that's a nice plus, since Z gets a lot of weekenders. You know if I had been there, I'd have my zero bag & would have been real toasty.”

“That's what I thought Golf when I took my zero bag.”

“Rob!!!
Where's the pics???? I know it don't take that long ta download em....LOL
Here I am stuck at home and I got no pics ta look at... I 'm beginning to doubt your commitment to the site..
Hope things are going well for your girl!!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hey Golf,

I brought my 30 degree bag, and had on all the clothes I had brought with me including my goose down booties. LOL I definitely wasn't real toasty, but not cold either. Zaleski was a great place to hike, and will definitely go back sometime.”

“Heya Bearbag,

Did any of your pictures turn out?”