Permit pending but id like to try the Four Pass Loop in Colorado this summer. I also do a yearly camping trip at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, CO.
I’ve done quite a few canoe camping trips, including two this year already, but I’m thinking I’ll try my first solo trip once the bugs die down a bit. I’m curious if I’ll be bored out of my mind alone or if I’ll enjoy it.
I’m still a day hiker, usually up to 15 miles or so, but the Four Pass Loop is definitely one I’d like to explore as well. It is more about committing to buying the gear than anything else. I would be interested in your experience if you do snag a pass.
Today is actually the day I can buy the pass, so I’ll have an update soon
I’m from Canada and found a provincial park near where I live that isn’t maintained or operated in any way. It just kinda exists. It’s called Kenny Forest Provincial Park and I had trouble finding any real info about it except an old ministry map from 96. Me and my wife went there recently and found a beautiful camping spot about a 6km backpack in right on a nice point in a beautiful lake. Hasn’t been camped at in probably 20 years but you could tell it was once a site. It had a very overgrown firepit. Our plans this year are to continue to revamp that site and make it our new little family spot. My sons a year and a half old and we brought him there for a few nights a couple weeks ago and he loved it. I would love to hear some other people’s plans and I’m happy I found this place so I don’t have to go Reddit anymore. Hello camper people :)
Wow that sounds awesome.
Me and a few coworkers are planning to do Karhunkierros in the fall, which is about 80km. I’m also hoping to find the time to visit multiple national parks this year, already started with Repovesi
that’s great! what kind of gear do you bring for 80km?
Good question. There’s still some details I’ll have to figure out, but there are three aspects to take into consideration, it’s just a hike, it’s a longer distance than I’m used to and it’s in fall where temps might dip below freezing. So I’ll bring my 3-season gear + undetermined amount of food. I’ve been out up to -13c with the gear so the temperatures should be fine
- Water
- BeFree filter and a 3 liter bottle for it
- A separate bottle for drinking
- Purification tablets in case the filter breaks
- Food
- ??? I’ll have to figure out how much calories I need on a hike and multiply it by the days we’re out
- Either a gas or wood stove, depending on the weather
- Sleep
- Eno doublenest hammock + eno bugnet + dd underquilt + dd superlight tarp + suspension + ropes
- 3 season sleeping bag
- Clothes
- I would normally bring only extra socks, but maybe this time extra underwear as well
- Probably an extra set of clothes, separate from the backpack so that I can shower after the hike before the drive back home
- Hygiene
- Toothbrush & co
- Dish brush & co
- A ton of tissues ( https://www.verywellhealth.com/runny-nose-in-cold-weather-83155 )
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Health
- First aid kit
- Misc
- Power bank
- extra shoes
- Knife
- Lamp
- A thermometer
- Water
I AM SO HYPED. I found out just last year that I LOVE hiking. Even though I don’t have a lot of stamina, just something about being in the trees is amazing. Anyway, I got myself a little tent I can put up by myself, and a hammock, and some other basic camping stuff, and I’m gonna go for a few days at a time to state campgrounds (I can’t believe how cheap this is! $17 a night). I’m hoping to go like twice a month but we will see
I’ve been feeling a pull to the Smokey Mountains. I may need an extended stay there.
Oh you’re in luck. Blue Mesa is FULL of water because of all the rain we’ve been getting.
Unfortunately I canceled my camping trip because my wife is pregnant and was advised against swimming in lakes :(
I might head down there for a solo weekend trip so I can do some kayaking. Don’t want to miss seeing that reservoir full! Last time I saw it close to full was 2017 IIRC.
The Sun has a nice comparison photo here. Some of the trails are absolute mud currently but some of the higher elevation trails in Palmer Park in COS are still pretty ok. I try to make it out on the weekends for at least a few hours.
