Cincinnati Area Backpackers

Registration Required with Five Rivers MetroParks.
$5 Workshop Fee. Limited seating.
Register here: www.outadvcon.com/at

Presenter: Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp - Appalachian Trail 11,000 Miler.

Program Description: Is there a long distance hike on the Appalachian Trail or another long trail in your future, but you're not sure where to start? This program will give you the knowledge and confidence to plan a long distance hike. You'll learn trip planning skills on where to find information, what to look for, gear, footwear, selecting a section, mileage planning, smartphone apps, maps, guidebooks, food, resupply methods, getting to the trail, shuttles, long-term parking, and more. You will gain confidence and skills to begin planning your hike, whether it is a week-long or months-long trek.

Presenter Bio: Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp has over 20,000 miles of backpacking experience, including five end-to-end hikes on the Appalachian Trail, a continuous footpath from Georgia to Maine that travels throughout 14 different states. He has also hiked the Buckeye Trail, Florida Trail, Arizona Trail, Camino de Santiago, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, Sheltowee Trace, Long Trail, Ozark Highlands Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, Ohio To Erie Trail, and other trails.

Register here: www.outadvcon.com/at

Beyond the Day Hike: Your Journey from Hiker to Backpacker
(presented by Barry Randall, Sierra Club)
Are you a hiker who wants to take it to the next level with an overnight adventure in the outdoors? In this Sierra Club introduction to backpacking, you will learn how to prepare for your first backpacking experience and the most valuable do’s and especially don’ts that will give you the confidence to go from day hiker to outdoor adventurer. You’ll learn what to consider when picking your route, basic gear that all backpackers should have, and practical suggestions to get you on your first trip.
Please register with our hosts, Roads, Rivers and Trails of Milford at the link below:
https://rrtevents.eventcalendarapp.com/beyond-the-day-hike-your-journey-from-hiker-to-backpacker

BIG SOUTH FORK Camping/Hiking:

Where: Big South Fork National River & Rec. Area, Oneida TN

What: Bandy Creek base camping and day hiking

GPS: Google Maps: search for Bandy Creek Campground
(approx. 240 miles from Cincinnati, allow 4 hours)

Group Size: 8 (2 campsites: D8, D11 (Thu, Fri and Sat nights).

Cost: approx $20 per person to cover campsites and firewood (will collect around the campfire - final cost depends on number attending and firewood amount).

Car Pooling: On your own, use Meetup to ask for a ride or offer a ride. A good place to meet is out past the garden center at Meijer on Houston Road in KY.
Communication: Once I know who is attending, I’ll ask for your cell phone number so I can set up a group chat the day before the trip.

Campsites are on Loop D (the only loop open in winter) and are near the bathhouse (restrooms andshowers, water spigot nearby, sink for washing dishes).

We will be doing day hikes - 6 miles to 8 miles per day (last day will be shorter to allow for drive time back home) - day hike destinations will be chosen based on trail and weather conditions. Some of the hikes may require us to pre-stage car(s) at trail end. Possible hikes include: Leatherwood to Grand Gap (7.6), Leatherwood to Bandy (8.0), Rock Creek Loop (6.9), Hidden Passage to Rock Creek (7.4), Twin Arches Loop (6.7), Middle Creek to Charit (7.1), Honey Creek Loop (5.5).

Everyone is on their own for food, cooler, and ice. Campsites have a picnic table and grill. Also, I will be bringing a gas grill and charcoal grill which I will be willing to share. I will have a large cooler for anyone who wants ice or cold storage. The camp store has ice plus limited grocery items. (in addition to firewood).

Participants on this trip should have all of their own camping gear and food. Some of the hikes may have water crossings so carry water shoes with your day pack. If you have any questions about what you need to bring, you can email me using Meetup, or call/text me at 513-608-2921.

TRIP RULES:

1. Well behaved dogs are welcome but must remain on leash.
2. Please only RSVP “yes” if you actually plan to attend as space is limited on this trip.
3. Cost: The cost of gas to be shared with your driver.
4. Difficulty level: Moderate.
5. Distance: Day hikes will vary between 6 miles and 8 miles
6. Pace: Moderate (we usually break up into hares and turtles).
7. Travel time: About 4 hours driving time from Cincinnati
8. The trip limit and RSVP deadline can change without notice.
9. PLEASE READ: The trip leader is guided by the doctrine of assumed risk by all participants: you are responsible for knowing the risks of camping/hiking and agree to assume those risks. Full disclosure: I am not a professional hiking, backpacking or mountaineering guide - participate in this activity at your own risk!

HIKE PLAN:
Day 1 (Friday): Carpool and park cars at Leatherwood Ford trail head (restrooms). Hike via Sheltowee Trace back to Bandy Creek Campground (8.0 miles). Drivers shuttle back to cars.

Day 2 (Saturday): Carpool and park cars at Rock Creek trail head (no restrooms). Hike the Rock Creek Loop and return to cars. (6.9 miles).

Day 3 (Sunday): Break camp and drive to Charit Creek trail head. Hike down to Charit and do the Twin Arches Loop - stop at Charit Lodge for restrooms and refreshments. (6.7 miles). If anyone wants to head home early you can drive on past Chart Creek trail head to Twin Arches trail head (restrooms) and do the 5.5 mile Twin Arches Loop (which also passes by Charit Lodge).

If you have any questions....contact Terry. (cell 513-608-2921)

Cumberland Falls Camping/Hiking:

Where: Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

What: Cumberland Falls area base camping and day hiking

GPS: Google Maps: search for Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort (KY)
(approx. 170 miles from Cincinnati, allow 3 hours)

Group Size: 6 (1 campsite: B8 for Fri and Sat nights)

Cost: approx $35 per person to cover campsite, firewood and shuttles if needed (will collect around the campfire - final cost depends on number attending, firewood amount and whether we need a shuttle or not).

Car Pooling: On your own, use Meetup to ask for a ride or offer a ride. A good place to meet is out past the garden center at Meijer on Houston Road in KY.

Communication: Once I know who is attending, I’ll ask for your cell phone number so I can set up a group chat the day before the trip.

The campsite at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort has its own parking, just follow signs at end of main parking area that say “Primitive Camping”. B8 is the very last campsite away from the others. We can walk to the bath house, showers, camp store, and water spigot. They sometimes have a small breakfast café with coffee and biscuit sandwiches.

We will be doing 2 day hikes: Bark Creek Trailhead to Cumberland Falls (9.3) and then Laurel Dam to Bark Creek Trailhead (8.3).

If we don’t have enough cars to stage a car at Bark Creek or Cumberland Falls, we’ll hire one of the Sheltowee Resort shuttles $60 one way for 6 people for each day (if needed).

Everyone is on their own for food, cooler, and ice. Campsites have a picnic table and fire ring (no grill if I remember correctly). I will be bringing a gas grill which I will be willing to share. I will have a large cooler for anyone who wants ice or cold storage. The camp store has ice, drinks, snacks and firewood.

Participants on this trip should have all of their own camping gear and food. None of the hikes have water crossings.

If you have any questions about what you need to bring, you can email me using Meetup, or call/text me at 513-608-2921.

TRIP RULES:

1. Well behaved dogs are welcome but must remain on leash.
2. Please only RSVP “yes” if you actually plan to attend as space is limited on this trip.
3. Cost: The cost of gas to be shared with your driver.
4. Difficulty level: Moderate.
5. Distance: Day hikes will 8.3 and 9.3 miles.
6. Pace: Moderate (we usually break up into hares and turtles).
7. Travel time: About 3 hours driving time from Cincinnati
8. The trip limit and RSVP deadline can change without notice.
9. PLEASE READ: The trip leader is guided by the doctrine of assumed risk by all participants: you are responsible for knowing the risks of camping/hiking and agree to assume those risks. Full disclosure: I am not a professional hiking, backpacking or mountaineering guide - participate in this activity at your own risk!

HIKE PLAN:
Day 1 (Saturday): Carpool to Cumberland Falls parking lot (restrooms) and leave a car there. Drive to Bark Camp Creek trail head (no restrooms). Hike the Bark Camp Creek Trail to the Moonbow Trail (Sheltowee Trace Trail) and then Moonbow/Sheltowee back to the cars at the falls 9.3 miles). (Lodge and restauant are closed but the gift shop/snacks is open).

Day 2 (Sunday): Carpool to Bark Camp Creek and leave a car there. Drive to Laurel Dam parking lot. Hike Sheltowee Trace to Bark Camp Creek trail and then back to cars at Bark trail head (8.3 miles).

If you have any questions....contact Terry. (cell 513-608-2921)