Monday, September 24, 2012


Hikes we Hope to Take!
Many websites provide a great list of possible hikes to take. These websites include the National Park Hikes, the Trails.com website, and the Northeast HikesPage.

There are also several very helpful blogs of individuals and groups who log their backpacking trips.

Bucket List of Hikes

John Muir Trail, John Muir Trail Overview, California - 210 Total Miles: Many shorter hikes
Great Smokey Mountains, Mount LeConte, Tennessee - 10 mile day trip
Bryce Canyon National Park, Queens Garden Trail, Utah - 3 mile day trip
Zion National Park, Angels Landing, Utah - 5.5 mile day trip
Acadia National Park, Sargent Mountain Loop, Maine - 5.5 mile day trip
Glacier National Park,Grinnell Glacier Trail, Montana - 11 mile day trip
Grand Canyon National Park, Nankoweap Trail, Arizona - 28 mile; 3 day trip. Major Bucket List!
Shenandoah National Park, Old Rag Loop, Virginia - 8.8 mile day trip
North Cascades National Park, Cascade Pass, Washington - 12 mile day trip

Shenandoah National Park, White Oak Canyon Falls, Virginia - 8 mile day trip
Appalachian Trail, Harpers Ferry to Gathland, West Virginia - 10 mile day trip
Harpers Ferry,Maryland Heights TrailHelpful informationWest Virginia - 10 mile day trip
Shenandoah National Park, Big Devils Stairs, Virginia - 5.5 mile day trip
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Mount Rogers SummitDetailed Trail Report - 13 mile day trip
Appalachian Trail, Bleumont, VA, Raven Rocks - 9 mile day trip

Bike Hikes to Take
C&O Canal, Williamsport, MD - Day Hike

Kayak Hikes to Take
Chesapeake Bay, Janes Island State Park Trail, Maryland - 5 mile day float

Sunday, September 23, 2012


September 21, 2012 

Raven Rock, VA 





Awesome hike... great views, great trail, great weather, great day!

Spent the day hiking to Raven Rock by following the Trail information.  This was probably one of my favorite hike so far.  It had the best parts of many trails - challenge, views, solitude.

The trail was VERY rocky at places.  Would be easy to turn an ankle or step on a snake, but even so, it was very much manageable.  Found a set of rock walls that must have been from the Cival War Timeframe.  Planning to go back with a metal detector and shovel.

At the vista, we had a great lunch a nice time of relaxing and enjoying the view.  Next time, i plan to bring the hammock and just kick back for a long time.  Also, want to shoot some panoramic shots from the rock.

Must repeat this one.









September 15, 2012 

Maryland Heights
Harpers Ferry area



Hiked with Rachel and Anna to the top of Maryland Heights. Very secluded on the upper trail, but much more crowded on the lower trail. Great day, great weather, great trail


September 9, 2012 

C&O Canal 
Shepherdstown, WV


Short hike on the C&O canal South from Shepherdstown, WV. Beautiful weather - cool, slight wind, sunny day. Not able to see much of the river along the way. Need a better river hike.


September 3, 2012

White Canyon Falls
Skyline Drive - Shenandoah National Park



Hiked with the kids all the way to Falls #6. Very demanding hike. Not sure of exact distance, but the change in elevation was significant. Jacob's girlfriend, Rachel joined us. The morning started out very rainy and foggy, but cleared up as the day went on.
Somebody said this looked like a scene from Last of the Mohicans!



August 25, 2012 

C&O Canal Bike Hike
Williamsport, MD



Spent the afternoon and evening of August 25 biking on the C&O Canal. Maintained pretty easy pace for about 6 miles.