Favorite Hikes

[forestwalker]

Over the years,Mary and I have taken several spectacular hikes.We have walked through parts of the Sonoran Desert,along the Pacific Coast,and into the beautiful peaks and valleys of the High Sierras.For those open enough to see,all places have something special to offer.It's difficult to choose favorite hiking places,but we are doing so in hopes that others will share their favorite hikes.Maybe one day we'll be able to,"Walk that walk".
 One of our best local hikes is a twelve mile walk from Big Basin State Park(Central California-near Santa Cruz) to the sea.We travel through at least seven different plant communities on that trek,including that of old growth Redwoods.There is a creek along much of the way,and we pass several waterfalls and cascades.Finally,there are great views of the Pacific Ocean,and we finish the hike at the beach.We like this hike so much that we have done it over forty times(always with friends,or members of the general public-we are docents).We've see something different every time-sometimes its wildlife,wildflowers,.... Come join us sometime.We think that most will agree that it is a great hike.
 We'll share more favorite walks later(We are running out of space,and time).How about you-What are your favorite hiking places,or trails?

[brainpause]

There are a couple of great hikes at Big South Fork NRA near Jamestown, TN. One of the shorter, flatter ones was 4 miles round trip, and it runs along side a mountain river the whole way. Gorgeous!

Another one of our favorites is hiking to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls. Straight down, straight up.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/parks/FallCreekFalls/

Larry

[B-flat]

Try the Appalachian Trail from NC toward the north.  This hike is for above average hikers.  I like walking in mountain trails mostly, but I am rethinking that after what happened to a friend of my son's recently when he stopped on the edge of the Gila National Forest in the mountains near Pinos Altos, NM.  He was attacked by 16 dogs over a 20 hour period before being rescued.   He was somehow able to fight them off.  There will be more surgeries and stitches and other things to be cared for before he is well.  Be careful when hiking and stay safe.

[Trlrboy]

The round trip hike to Delicate Arch in Arches NP at sunset.  If you go during the week in the spring it's almost deserted and is just spectacular.  Going back there in May.

[vjm1639]

Many of my favorite hikes are along the Appalachian Trail and several others in the Shenandoah mountains. We're members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and spend many hours in the Shenandoahs.

[tahoecampers]

One of our favorite hikes is to Winnamucca Lake, which starts near Carson Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mts. If you go in late July or early August (depending on the snowmelt) you get  one of   the most spectacular displays of wildflowers in the area. There are meadows full of Lupines, Indian Paints, Columbines etc, plus great views of surrounding lakes. If you want to make it a longer hike, you can go past Winnamucca and hike on up to Round Top Lake.