Oct backpacking 4-5 days...recs?

[vnordqui]

Hi,

I'm planning a backpacking trip for three of us the second weekend in Oct. We're all experienced but are looking for a more leisurely trip of about 10 miles/day.

We'd like:

--remote (away from the more popular crowded places)
--fall foliage
--preferably some interesting terrain (ie not flat. As mountainous as possible but with minimal chance of snow/freezing temps is ideal)
--preferably a loop (we have one car) of about 40 miles.

We'll be coming from the Philly area, so anywhere within 8 hours would be great.

I know this may be asking too much, but thought I'd throw it out and see what recs I get.

For that matter, if you know of a place not even in the northeast that would fit the bill, I'd be game.

Thanks for the input.

val

 

[snowshoe]

You can try the Quehanna Trail in PA. If you contact the PA DCNR they will send you a free topo map of the trail. It is a 72 mile loop in North Central PA. You can shorten the loop by taking side trails. Here the web for the main site http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/
If you want to hit the Catskills the only long loop I coul think of is in the Big Indian/Beaverkill Range. I forget the milage but it was something like 25-30 miles. If you get the Catskill maps from the NY/NJ trail conference you will see the loop map 43. The rest of the catskill hikes are one way or shorter 13 mile loops. For maps go to www.nynjtc.org
Some other PA trails that you might want to look into is the Thunderswamp in Poconos 28 miles, the Old loggers path 27 miles in North Central PA. There are a bunch more. If you contact the site above it should give you info and all free topo maps.
You could try the Kittatinny;s in Northwest new Jersey. You can use the Appalachain trail for camping and then do side trails to get longer loops. For maps go to the NY/NJ site. Hope this helps some

 

[Rick]

Val,
In addition to Shawns ideas, there is also the 42.25 Mile Black Forest Trail in North Central PA - About 6 hours from you by car. It will knock your socks off in terms of vistas, steep climbs and remoteness. There are a few road crossings and some hunters camps that you pass, other than that you will see few people. Except for a few steep climbs, most of the trail follows hundred year old Logging & tote roads and Shay Railroads that have grown in and are switchbacked nicely.

There are no shelters so the camping sites are primitive sites, but this helps to keep the number of visitors down. There are plenty of small streams and other water sources as well.

You can get a Trail Guide from Chuck Dillon at Pine Creek Outfitters at 570-724-3003. Chuck has authored local trail guides and books on hiking and backpacking in that area and can provide additional information if you decide to check it out.
Good Luck