Hikes (or Hiking Books) in New England, NY, NJ, PA, VA...

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:09 pm

Sorry to bug everyone with travel related questions but I'm gearing up for my little (well, 23 days in the US and Canada) vacation.

I've had a look online and have found a couple of decent looking hikes (loops not point to point) but I haven't found any good books at all but I'm limited to Amazon.co.uk.

If anyone can recommend hikes in any of the states mentioned above it'd be great. I'm looking for 7 to 10 mile loop hikes preferably not with more than 2,000ft altitude gain (in a single climb, more is acceptable if it's several separate climbs).

Also, where is the best place to buy hiking maps on that side of the pond? As in best place price wise and selection wise.

Thanks!

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:30 pm

You have the Applachlian trail that runs from Maine to Georgia -

Virginia has some very nice parts of it here in the Blue Ridge - and great colors if you come in the fall.

Many small towns at the post office has "boxes" people leave for the hikers with food and other items to help that are off the trail.

I cant bring it up here at work - but contact the Tourist Offices of each state - they may or may not send you the items.

But Amazon.com may ship to you -

Or just come to a bookstore when you get to the states

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:48 pm

^^^^ Lester

Thanks!

I'm very hesitant to use Amazon.com or any other major online US store as I've been slapped with nasty customs fees here in the UK.

I'm not too familiar with Virginia. Is the Blue Ridge anywhere near the Shenandoah NP or is it actually there?

We'll travel late August through late September and will head where the weather is nice to maximize the outdoorsy activities.

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:40 pm

Well the http Shenadoah NP IS in the Blue Ridge:)

http://www.nps.gov/shen/

If You want a wonderful drive - http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
The entire road falls under the National Park System. - many overlooks
Hiking trails off the road a lot too (some are steep - others are calm)
the App. Trail is off this road.. A few Wineries are off this you can tour and do taste tests.

Starts up in Middle of VA and goes down to Ashville, NC

All of this is in my backyard - so i would be glad to give advice.

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:07 pm

@ MyMyselfAndI

For a good read about the Appalachian Trail look for Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods". Although it's not a guide, he tells about his experiences trying to hike from one end of the AT to the other. It also has a couple of chapters regarding Shenandoah National Park.

Even if you aren't going on the AT it's a great book and well worth a read.

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:17 pm

^^ Definately. Besides being useful in terms of tips on how to cope (though he doesn't specifically say these are tips), it is a bloody good laugh and very well written.

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:44 pm

Shenadoah NP and its sister Great Smoky Mountains are really nice and absolutely stunning in the fall, but the US and Canada has a lot to offer. Given what you desire, this is my list of favorite 7-10 mile hiking areas that just so happen to be in National Parks. Each NP has visitor's centers with rangers that would love to give tips on where to go. Be sure to fill out wilderness permits and have topo maps along with your GPS. Topos can be had at each park.

1. Glacier National Park (go there before the glaciers all melt.)
2. Yellowstone
3. Banff NP, Alberta
4. Grand Canyon (part way down and up, or all the way baby.)
5. Hawaii Vocanoes (take a LED headlamp and walk to the flows at night.)
6. Crater Lake National Park (along the rim and down to the lake.)
7. Olympic ( rain gear please.)
8. Sequoia National Park
9. Yosemite National Park (swing those elbows and fight the crowds.)
10.Zion National Park
11.Lassen Volcanic National Park
12. Grand Teton National Park (mmmpppff could be too high on the list.)
13. Death Valley National Park
14. Joshua Tree National Park
15. Acadia National Park ( lots of trails actually.)
16. Bryce Canyon National Park
17. Kings Canyon National Park (go into Mineral King.)

I've been to many more but could not recommend them for hikes. I've planned a trip this month for three more in Alaska. I like biking but hiking is good too.

Edit- Check with each NP before you go. Some require advance reservations for tours, most do not for day hikes. Take your 10 essentials with you every time.
http://www.backpacking.net/ten-essl.html

Trophy Videos · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:05 pm

For things to do in New York State, check out the I Love New York website. http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx
You can get some free maps at the site, and also lots of outdoor stores in the state have topo maps, too.
If you like hiking, there are plenty of places to go on day or overnight trips in the Adirondack Park and the Catskill mountains.
Welcome to New York! Cool

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:11 pm

Dang, I missed the title of the thread. Embarassed

I go here for books on hiking. They break it down into regions.

http://www.rei.com/category/10566785

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:48 pm

Dont forget the White Mountains in New Hampshire. great hiking.

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:13 am

MMI-
The Appalachian Mountain Club http://www.outdoors.org/ and REI are great resources. The AMC will help you plan a trip and they have some great maps and very helpful volunteers. Late September you'll be getting some nice foliage up north.
And, yes, getting Bryson's book is mandatory reading for this trip.

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:27 pm

@ Connie L. Gus

I've been hiking in quite a few of those national parks already! Smile

Not all of them though and will keep the rest on my "to do list" for future trips. We'll (better half and myself) stick to the east coast this trip. We'll visit Acadia NP this round if the weather holds up.

@ SlapHappy

On my to do list this trip for sure (unless the weather is crap. Am a fussy hiker in that respect!)

@ packman

We're going to ME right away and will most likely take a trip to White Mountains again. Spent four nights in Littleton, NH two years ago and went on some nice hikes in White Mountains then.

@ Fatter Siam

We'll head south if the weather up north doesn't hold up.

We've got close to four weeks to play around with and final destinations depend on the weather. Will keep some kind of log going here when I'm off for my US safari!

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions!

*** BANNED *** Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Posts: 2049

Wait . . . wait . . . if you are still planning and looking for ideas - THINK CANADA eh!

Check out the Niagara Bruce Trail - in southern Ontario up to Georgian Bay. Niagara Escarpment is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. A days drive from New England.

http://members.becon.org/~nbtc/

If you are hiking in September you will get all the wonderful colours - no bugs - and some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Canada with some of the best services for hikers ever.

Check it out.

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:25 am

^^^^ Gold Hat

I'm thinking Canada, eh! Very Happy

I'd love go there (weather allowing) for hikes as it's one of the countries we'd like to relocate to once I'm certified super smart... Confused

Do you have a clue how much a night at a decent motel (Holiday Inn Express/Hampton Inn) costs in that region?

Hikes (or Hiking Books) in New England, NY, NJ, PA, VA...	View next topic View previous topic