Attention backpackers!!!

abiggs

abiggs

Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
955
Hey guys,

I need some advise. I am interested in planning a 3-5 day backpacking trip with a few of my buddies this Spring before my baby is due this summer. We live in St. Louis and have not done multi-day hikes before, just day hikes at local parks. Does anyone know if there is a good place within driving distance (hopefully no more than 4-6 hours) that we can do a 3-5 day hike? I would appreciate the advise.
 
There are some excellent backpacking/hiking trails in Missouri. The Ozark Trail is probably the longest, would take a week or more to complete the longest completed section. The long-term plans for the trail involve connecting it to the Buffalo River Trail and the Ozark Highlands Trail, making it possible to hike from Ft. Smith to St. Louis!

There is also a river-to-river trail in Southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest, but it utilizes a lot of gravel backroads as I recall, not just hiking trails. Missouri is prettier anyway...

Lots of great short hikes around St. Louis too, good for breaking in gear and getting warmed up. There're state parks up and down both sides of The River, the Shawnee National Forest, Mark Twain National Forest, and scattered large state parks. I've visited and camped in many of them, but you're probably more familiar since you live there.
 
At the outer limit of your preferred driving distance is the Charles C Deam Wilderness area in Hoosier National Forrest, which is where I've done pretty much all of my backpacking. I haven't none more than a single night yet, but the trail system is easily big enough for at least a 3 nighter, and probably more. It all depends on how much time you intend to spend walking and how much time you will spend hanging out at camp.

The Shawnee National Forest mentioned by Bob W above is very pretty and a good bit closer to you. I've done some car camping and Day hikes there around the Garden of the Gods, but never any backpacking. I'm hoping to get down there next summer for a 2 or 3 day trip.
 
I've done some car camping and Day hikes there around the Garden of the Gods, but never any backpacking.
Click to expand...

I spent a lot of time growing up near Garden of the Gods and the surrounding hills and I still love to visit those places when I get the chance. There are some trails there worthy of an overnight, but the real treasures are dayhike trails and bushwhacking explorations. Garden of the Gods, Cache River, Bell Smith Springs, Turkey Bayou...

It's still pretty lame compared to Missouri's Ozarks though. ;)
 
Dunno where you should go, but: Do try to keep your packweight well under 30lbs. Good luck.
 
I love backpacking, but it is definitely not for everyone. Make sure you do a one-nighter before any multi-day stuff just so you can make sure that you like it. It sucks to be a couple of days from a trailhead and miserable.

That disclaimer aside, you will probably have a great time. It is nice to get away every now and then and just have yourself and maybe some friends or family to keep you company.
 
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