When And Where To Go Backpacking
The alternative to round robin is destination hiking.
Where you either make arrangements for or previously have left a car at your destination.
I have never found anyone who would drive me to hike or drive me from a pre arranged parking area to my hiking entry area.
So for me round robin backpacking has been my primary source of getting on and off the trail.
Once you have resolved one of the above issues you need to choose a time you like to backpack.
I do most of my backpacking from mid October to mid April.
The party hikers are pretty hunched hibernating in front of a TV looking out at the cold.
I would recommend that in the beginning you go in moderate weather until you gather the experience to go at backpacking in colder weather.
So now we have determined the when to backpack, let's look at where to backpack.
I now live in the middle Atlantic area of the USA.
In less than 45 minutes from my home I can be backpacking on a state or national park trail.
No matter where I have lived I have never been at a loss for backpacking trails.
In the mid - Atlantic there are: The Appalachian Trail - with many entry points, lots of good maps and plenty of resources, i.
e.
shelters, fire pits and water.
The Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Footpath - An excellent beginner backpacking area.
Very scenic and very flat.
It was the old tow path for the mules who hauled the barges up and down the Potomac in the pre railroad days.
It does rise in altitude but very slowly and it is smooth.
Shenandoah National Park - Along with the George Washington National Park and excellent camping area.
Both have trails that will suit the beginner and the experienced backpacker.
From extended wilderness camping to family day hikes both of these facilities excel.
For the above you can go on-line and order maps and guides that can be useful in getting you started backpacking with the goal of eventually solo backpacking.
There are also many State Parks that have hiking and camping facilities.
I don't believe there is anywhere in the USA that you can be more than 1 hour drive away from a good backpacking trail.
You might possibly be to young to begin backpacking solo.
But, that doesn't preclude backpacking as a family form of recreation.
I need to tell you though that you will never be to old to enjoy backpacking.
Begin at a young age and this solo backpacking will get in your blood.
You will find yourself sitting around itching for something and see the old backpack sitting in the garage.
You will feel a need to get out the maps and trail books and start supplying the backpack.
Plan and Prepare well - Then Go!
Where you either make arrangements for or previously have left a car at your destination.
I have never found anyone who would drive me to hike or drive me from a pre arranged parking area to my hiking entry area.
So for me round robin backpacking has been my primary source of getting on and off the trail.
Once you have resolved one of the above issues you need to choose a time you like to backpack.
I do most of my backpacking from mid October to mid April.
The party hikers are pretty hunched hibernating in front of a TV looking out at the cold.
I would recommend that in the beginning you go in moderate weather until you gather the experience to go at backpacking in colder weather.
So now we have determined the when to backpack, let's look at where to backpack.
I now live in the middle Atlantic area of the USA.
In less than 45 minutes from my home I can be backpacking on a state or national park trail.
No matter where I have lived I have never been at a loss for backpacking trails.
In the mid - Atlantic there are: The Appalachian Trail - with many entry points, lots of good maps and plenty of resources, i.
e.
shelters, fire pits and water.
The Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Footpath - An excellent beginner backpacking area.
Very scenic and very flat.
It was the old tow path for the mules who hauled the barges up and down the Potomac in the pre railroad days.
It does rise in altitude but very slowly and it is smooth.
Shenandoah National Park - Along with the George Washington National Park and excellent camping area.
Both have trails that will suit the beginner and the experienced backpacker.
From extended wilderness camping to family day hikes both of these facilities excel.
For the above you can go on-line and order maps and guides that can be useful in getting you started backpacking with the goal of eventually solo backpacking.
There are also many State Parks that have hiking and camping facilities.
I don't believe there is anywhere in the USA that you can be more than 1 hour drive away from a good backpacking trail.
You might possibly be to young to begin backpacking solo.
But, that doesn't preclude backpacking as a family form of recreation.
I need to tell you though that you will never be to old to enjoy backpacking.
Begin at a young age and this solo backpacking will get in your blood.
You will find yourself sitting around itching for something and see the old backpack sitting in the garage.
You will feel a need to get out the maps and trail books and start supplying the backpack.
Plan and Prepare well - Then Go!
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