So I've done some super short, easy...very easy hikes in the past.

This past week I got a taste of the big leagues and it destroyed me.

Saturday I did 8.8 miles, that turned into 11 due to a wrong turn....in a single day. Missouri Lakes to Fancy Trail Pass. It's about 30 min outside of Vail, CO. It took 9 hours.
http://www.protrails.com/trail/719/summit-county-eagle-county-clear-creek-county-missouri-pass-fancy-pass-loop

Monday I did a shorter, easier hike to a waterfall at Piney River Ranch, also outside of Vail. 6 miles round trip, 3 hours.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/upper-piney-river-falls-trail


Overall it was a really awesome experience. I've never seen anything like it before....so vast and quiet. I was also surprised how it affected me physically...the breathing aspect. Several times I had to stop to get my breathing sorted. I'm definitely going back to the Missouri Lakes area and doing an overnighter, 11 miles in day was a hell of a mission.


What are some of your hiking experiences? Where have you been and where do you plan to go? /Belly

Clifton gorge north of Cincinnati is not too bad. Looking to possibly go to Badlands in south Dakota this fall when I get back but we will see. Can be very fun and relaxing. Just to get outside, away from technology and enjoy nature

Camelback, South and North Mountains in Phoenix, AZ. The desert is pretty easy trails.

Hardest hike I've ever done was Humphrey's Peak, in Flagstaff. Like 4.5 miles and climbing over 3300 feet. Start out at 9300 feet and end up at the peak over 12000 feet. Was very slow going. Exertion at altitude is tough.

I've done the Tomales Point Trail hike in Pt Reyes :https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/tomales-point-trail

About 8 times or so, one of my all time favorites.

Recently did the entire Dipsea Trail out and back in Marin, about 17 miles or so that was pretty epic.

As for an overnight backpacking trip, did Sykes Hot Springs couple yrs back that was my most memorable:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sykes-hot-springs-via-pine-ridge-trail

Long, hot fucking hike that ended with bomb hot springs to relax in, and a run off stream that fed a mini pond to swim in next to our campsite.

Oh, also saw a snake eating another snake on that hike which was wild.

Jealous of all of you. I live in some flat, flat country. Would love to get back out to Colorado Springs and take my kids there. This summer I took them to Warren Dunes state park on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Easy hikes, and probably only covered a couple miles. But the kids and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

I don't do a lot of "hiking" but last year we went to Murren as a stop on our vacation last year (in Switzerland). It's was about 1,600 meters to 1,900 meters in elevation change on the hike we went on, and then a few miles flat and easy. Wasn't super tough as my dad and wife could do it, but was a bit challenging. Switzerland is beautiful.


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Switzerland looks beautiful. Interlaken was a potential destination when I was in Europe last Oct, but I ended up scratching it to stay longer elsewhere.

I'm going for this one in the Hudson Valley once the leaves change.

Mohonk Mountain House: Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze
http://hikethehudsonvalley.com/mohonk-mountain-house-labyrinth-and-lemon-squeeze/

We've hiked all the trails at Hocking Hills, but the most challenging hills we've hiked were at Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder this past July--very cool!

Driving up to NH on Sunday for some morning hiking and afternoon breweries.

Not a hike, but didn't know where else to put this. I grew up in Ohio, near the woods. In these woods there are 1,000 of deer, I've seen them all over the place including my backyard. I've also seen 1,000s of Deer crossing signs, have had friends and family hit deer with their car but have never even come close to hitting one myself (thankfully).

Well this morning I'm getting some exercise in, riding my bike up in the Oakland Hills, come around a corner and BAM! Ran smack into the backside of a fucking deer on my bike. We're both ok, just looked at each other confused. Very strange experience.

tl;dr I hit a deer on my bike.

Commander of Awesome;1869730 wrote:Not a hike, but didn't know where else to put this. I grew up in Ohio, near the woods. In these woods there are 1,000 of deer, I've seen them all over the place including my backyard. I've also seen 1,000s of Deer crossing signs, have had friends and family hit deer with their car but have never even come close to hitting one myself (thankfully).

Well this morning I'm getting some exercise in, riding my bike up in the Oakland Hills, come around a corner and BAM! Ran smack into the backside of a fucking deer on my bike. We're both ok, just looked at each other confused. Very strange experience.

tl;dr I hit a deer on my bike.

LOL. Glad you are both okay, but that is pretty funny. Not a bad story to have available to tell.

Went to Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire last weekend. It's a family oriented place, really chill. The hikes are easy, but fun.
http://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/bear-brook-state-park.aspx

Sleeping at night was shit though, super cold. My tent and sleeping bag were not ideal. I need to upgrade.


I'm trying to do one more trip before it gets too cold. Either Mohonk Mountain which I mentioned previously in the thread or Watkins Glen
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/gorge-trail-and-indian-trail-loop