Backpacking

[InbetweenDreams]

I think some tennis shoes would suffice. I think the biggest problem I am seeing right now is water...I don't know how many streams I will actually come across, but so far the springs I had come across were dried up but it has been a bit drier this summer.

So I am in the process of mapping the rim trail. There really aren't any good detailed maps of the rim trail. There's trails that go beyond the rim trail and go into the next county. However I think weekend hike is plenty for me, not like I'm Ted Nugent or anything lol

[InbetweenDreams]

So here's a better map (if the resolution is good enough) of the rim trail... the blue and purple are parts of the rim trail are what I have done and the purple is actually what I was able to do last night....about 45 minutes in before I had to turn around so I wouldn't be hiking in the dark.

About wiping down your feet....so those sanitary wipes I was talking about are useful after all

But one thing I think might be an issue is water...Since I will be following the ridgeline mostly I don't know that I will be crossing too many streams. So unless I can make some diversions from the trail to get more water I'll have to pack a lot of extra water in order to do the whole trail.

That being said I think it might be a good idea to figure out what other trails run into the rim trail (there are a few others here and there) as well as any forest service roads that might come close or junction.

The only other thing I can think of is how cool it is when I do it...obviously if I were to do it during the summer I'll need a tanker full of water...but in Autumn maybe I could get by on 4-5 liters for the whole trip.

One thing for sure though starting the trail counter clockwise is much easier and more gradual than the other way...now that doesn't mean it is all like that. I think it might be another good idea to explore other parts of the rim trail that I can access and bike around to some of the forest service roads (which I will do on my bike...not driving my car on some of these roads).

Other than that the only thing I can think of to inquire about would be underwear. I haven't had any issues really but when things do get wet well boxers aren't exactly comfortable so not sure if there's a better solution to that or if it is like sweaty wet feet.

[JohnMusic]

You could navigate at night by using the stars. And at day by using the sun.

I'm kidding. But you could.

[InbetweenDreams]

You could navigate at night by using the stars. And at day by using the sun.

I'm kidding. But you could.

I think the biggest issue with hiking at night is not seeing where you're going and tripping and falling down a bank...not a good thing. I mean you can bring a flash light but how long is that going to work? A few hours?

On the other hand I have heard of people doing it I just think I'll leave that for the more experienced hiker.

[LJay]

[MENTION=23180]axle2152[/MENTION], what is underwear? I get so sweaty that I don't want to have underwear causing chafing. Loose gym shorts and no underwear has worked best for me. Those wet wipes will probably feel good when you stop for the day. If you are one of those guys who just has to be trussed up, you could look at REI for briefs that are meant to handle moisture. Air seems to keep it dry best.

Hiking at night? Not my favorite way o doing things unless I am very, very familiar with the territory. I would walk around the summer camp where I worked once in a while back when. That could be pretty tricky and I knew that place well. You should do smoe kind of night experience to feel how things are out there at night, but I would not plan a hike to get anywhere. Not because it is scary or creepy but because it is dangerous.

[Camfer]

Yeah, ridges don't hold water, so a ridge trail will force you to go into side drainages to find water. Talk to rangers so you know where reliable water can be found near the route.

There is no way at all you should attempt this with 4 - 5 litres of water. That would probably not last you two days between drinking and cooking and a little bit of washing. You are not a camel.

I did a ten-mile day hike recently, with a 3,000 foot vertical gain. I drank a lot of water at the trailhead, took 2 litres on the hike, ran out of water, got back to the car thirsty, and had water waiting for me in the car for the ride back. That's with no washing or cooking. This is in the semi arid southern spur of the rocky mountains where you don't sweat as much as you might in the humidity of where you are. It's never hot at 12,000 feet here.

[LJay]

[MENTION=20941]Camfer[/MENTION] and [MENTION=23180]axle2152[/MENTION]: I used to feel that I was exceptionally lucky when I was a cam counselor taking a group on a ridge hike because I could send a few of the kids down the slope to get water. It can be a pain to locate clear, settle and the get enough water out of a spring. Appalachian Trail hikes are blest with guides that tell where most of the springs are. Real luxury.

Good to remember, too: It takes a lot of time to deal with getting water and all so you really can't hike all day.

[InbetweenDreams]

Well like I mentioned water is a big issue...especially this time of the year. There's not very many crossings where you might find water. Looking at the map there looks like there might be more streams along the southern rim but that doesn't mean there will be any or that you would have to walk for miles looking. Clearly someone isn't going to be carrying gallons of water...

So what I think I might do, or try to do, is take the bike and trailer with the gear and ride up some of these forest service roads and see if I can identify water sources that might be accessible from the rim trail. I keep my phone tracking GPS coordinates and can set way points. With mobile data and other BS off the battery will last for days, and might be a non issue with the solar panel. The only problem with taking the bike is that I will more than likely find myself having to deal with a tree in the road. Sometimes you can get around other times it might be a hassle. Mind you these are places I would rather not drive my car through having ruts and so forth.

There is another trail that goes back to the horse camp and does cross the creek where I can get water and that's something I can keep in mind when I actually do the rim trail but doesn't really help with the rest of the trail as I imagine I will need to get water several times.

[Anocxu]

Check out..

Scotch Guard Water Repellant Spray..

If you have a Home Depot or Lowe's around.. they stock Scotch Guard or Water Repell.

Stay Dry :-P

[InbetweenDreams]

Well I went out to do an overnight trip backpacking on the rim trail which ended up being a really long day hike. To summarize, I over did it and almost made myself sick.. I made it over 3 mountains before deciding to head back due to lack of being able to find water. Which that's the problem with the rim trail, there aren't any water sources. It wasn't very hot yesterday but it had rained in the morning and was very very humid and nothing was going to stay dry. All in all I hiked about 9 miles before I stopped to set up camp and wasn't able to keep a fire going, everything was wet and there wasn't any sticks...all the good stuff gets used by other campers. Anyway, definitely conclude that I need to be part of a group or at least have someone with me.

I think the rain suit is pointless this time of year because everything gets wet from sweat...and dew. Even with 4 liters of water, isn't nearly enough for one night backpacking...need more like 6-7 liters and you might have enough. Plus you loose too much salt and everything, which is probably what made me feel ill. It is just too easy to over do it, so easy you don't know that you overdone it until you feel the effects of it.

I think the only thing left to try is bicycle touring lol. I'd say if that doesn't go well probably need to find something else to get into and have a big yard sale lol