Out On Trail

  Where is the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Three Ridges Wilderness is located in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville. There is parking at Reids Gap (at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Virginia 664). It's also possible to start from the Appalachian Trail trailhead at Tye River. Why visit the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs through the Three Ridges Wilderness, which is reason enough to visit. This loop features some spectacular views along the AT and a series of waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har side of the loop.  What should one expect on the trails in the Three Ridges Wilderness? If you are not accustomed to hiking in the mountains, this will be a strenuous hike. If you are, this will probably be a moderate hike. The trails are rocky and uneven in many places, so be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you place your feet. Much of the hike is spent ascending or descending...

Where is the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area? Garden of the Gods Recreation area is located in the Shawnee National Forest, in southern Illinois. It's about 2 hours from St. Louis, 3 hours from Louisville, 4 hours from Indianapolis, and 5.5 hours from Chicago. Why visit the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area? The sandstone formations and cliffs are the main attraction at Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. What should one expect on the trails in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area? The Observation Trail is a 1/4 mile stone trail, with panoramic views of the surrounding area. It has a few steps and short, steep grades, but is generally rather easy. Benches are located throughout the trail. The other trails in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, which includes about 5 miles of the much longer River to River Trail, are mostly dirt paths and are generally a bit more challenging than the Observation Trail. With that said, I didn't find any of the trails to be particularly ...

  “Named for John Michael Kohler and Terry Andrae state parks, Kohler-Andrae is the home of majestic  sand dunes, miles of golden beach, shimmering blue Lake Michigan water, whispering pines, an abundance of wildlife and recreational activities. Kohler-Andrae State Park is one of the last natural preserves along the  Lake Michigan shore and is open for everyone to explore and enjoy.”  https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kohlerandrae I did this hike at Kohler Andrae Stake Park on a weekend afternoon in late November. The park is located in  Sheboygan, Wisconsin (about an hour north of Milwaukee). I arrived in the early afternoon and left the park just before sunset. The temperatures were in the mid 40s. The wind was pretty aggressive along the lake,  however, as you will surely hear reflected in the audio. The park can get very crowded during the summer, as it features direct access to beaches on Lake Michigan, so it was refreshing to e...

  Where is Mount Mansfield? Mount Mansfield is located in northern Vermont, about 45 minutes from Burlington. Why visit Mount Mansfield? Mount Mansfield is the highest point in Vermont, and the views are stunning. There are several hiking routes to the summit, which can also be reached via an auto toll road or gondola. What should one expect on the trails at Mount Mansfield? The Maple Ridge/Sunset Ridge Loop is one of the more difficult routes to the summit. It begins in Underhill State Park and follows the Eagle Cut Trail before reaching the main branch-off points for the loop. We went right, following the CCC road to the Maple Ridge Trail. The Maple Ridge Trail starts out weaving through the trees but eventually climbs above the treeline, becoming rocky and exposed. Be sure to wear proper hiking footwear. The trail is difficult in spots and will also require the use of your hands. Keep an eye out for the gap in the trail... Children and dogs, in particular, may have difficult...

  Where is Pike Lake? Pike Lake is located in Hartford, Wisconsin -- approximately 40 minutes from Milwaukee and 1 and 1/2 hours from Madison or Green Bay. Why visit Pike Lake? In addition to Pike Lake, itself, the Pike Lake Unit is home to Powder Hill. Powder Hill, a glacial kame, is one of the highest points in southeastern Wisconsin, at 1,360 feet. An observation tower just below the peak of the hill provides scenic views of the surrounding area. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail also runs through the Pike Lake Unit. There are opportunities for camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking and more! What should one expect on the trails at Pike Lake? There are 5 loop trail options, ranging from around .5 miles to almost 5 miles. Around 2.5 miles of the Ice Age Trail also runs through the Pike Lake unit, with around a mile of that overlapping some the unit's loop trails.  The trails are mostly forested, with some open, grassy meadows nearer the lake. They are generally wide ...

Where is Tortugas Mountain? Tortugas Mountain Recreation Area is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, off of University Drive/Dripping Springs Road. Why visit Tortugas Mountain? Visit Tortugas Mountain for the views of the Organ Mountains (to the East) and Las Cruces (to the West). What should one expect on the trails at Tortugas Mountain? There are trails circling the base of the mountain, as well as ascending to the summit. Trails around the base of the mountain are also open to mountain biking and horseback riding. The hike to the summit and back is about a mile each way and can be combined with one of the trails around the base of the mountain to create a 5-6 mile hike.  The trails are generally wide and lined by desert vegetation. The trails to the summit are fairly steep and rocky, with about 700 feet of elevation gain. There isn't much shade, so be sure to wear sunscreen, or cover exposed skin, and bring plenty of water. The summit rises to an elevation of 4,928 feet and, as ...

Where is Dolly Sods? Dolly Sods is located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest.  Why visit Dolly Sods? Dolly Sods is the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River, with altitudes from around 2,600 to 4,000 feet. The wilderness area offers a variety of landscapes but is perhaps best known for its windswept meadows and extensive bogs. There are nearly 50 miles of hiking trails and several prominent overlooks, providing scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Link to .pdf of Forest Service map What should one expect on the trails at Dolly Sods? Before even hitting the trails, know that this is a rather remote area. Allow extra time to reach your parking destination, as the forest roads are narrow and littered with rocks and potholes. The trailheads are accessible by passenger car, but a high clearance vehicle would be preferable. It took me about an hour to ascend the last 8 miles of unpaved forest road to acc...