Destinations - 4XPEDITION Team 4X Community Forum

Bandalier National Monument

Scott Leuthold — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 17:28:56 +0000

Heather and I visited and filmed for an upcoming episode a visit to Bandalier National Monument located down slope from Los Alamos, New Mexico. What a stunning place. This will be the adventure episode we will post this coming weekend. Definitely worth the visit and great camp sites.

The tip:
The park doesn't allow people to drive in and park at the visitor center unless you have a pet along, are disabled, or similar. You have to park your vehicle in the town of White Rock outside the park and take the free shuttle to the visitor center. However, if you camp in the park, none of that is valid. You can camp at Juniper campground and either hike to the visitor center or catch a shuttle that stops right across the road from the campground to the visitor center.

Heather and I hiked to the visitor center, then did a loop hike to see the dwellings, and then rode the shuttle back to camp (as the trail in and out of camp requires switchbacks (down going to the visitor center) and up back to camp.

Here are a few photos.

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Yosemite Half Dome hike

Victor Fraire — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 16:40:12 +0000

Hello 4X Fam..., as per last 4X ZoomCamp call - here are some of the pictures of the Half Dome hike that Me, my son, & my brothers did a few weeks ago while visiting Yosemite. Hike details: 18 miles roundtrip with 4800 feet total elevation gain. Took us about 10 hours total. We started about 5 in the morning, finishing up in the parking lot around 3pm. Half Dome hike works on a permit basis (through a lottery).

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Hike up Clear Creek Canyon in Northern New Mexico

Scott Leuthold — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 17:22:03 +0000

Clear Creek Canyon is a side tributary of the Cimmaron River which flows from Eagle Nest Lake in the Moreno Valley (where we live) down through the Cimmaron Canyon out to merge with the Canadian River. The Canadian flows for hundreds of miles out across the lower plains.

Cimmaron Canyon is a stunning canyon, most of which is a New Mexico State Park.

Heather and I have hiked up the tributary canyon twice now. The first time was last fall when it was starting to get cold. The flowing stream creates bogs and pools in some areas that were iced over with a thin layer at the time. It was brisk back then.

Well, this week we hiked the same trail in the midst of a thunder storm. The canyon was so lush and green. This time, we hiked all the way to the top of the canyon and discovered some stunning water falls. I think we counted about 5 good sized falls before the trail climbs out of the cayon and continues on to the top of one of the peaks.

We got caught in a rain storm and stood it out hunkered down under a thick canopy of pine. What a lovely way to experience the canyon.

To hike the canyon you have to obtain a state park day pass that you can purchase at the visitor center located toward the top of Cimmaron canyon. There are also several state park campgrounds along the narrow highway. Most of the campgrounds have sites right on the Cimmaron River.

Here are a few photos from our hike.

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Hiking the Appalachian Trail (Well, 4.5 miles of it!)

Mike Chandler — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 01:28:46 +0000

My wife and I hiked part of the Appalachian Trail this past Saturday. We started out at the trailhead near the town of Myersville, MD, and hiked to the Annapolis Rock and back. It was a beautiful day to be outside and we got some great views!

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The hot springs of Hot Springs, MT

Shovel — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 06:02:14 +0000

This weekend we're headed for a little Western Montana mini tour and one of our destinations is the town of Hot Springs which has several geothermal features available to soak in. We haven't soaked in natural unlimited hot water for a while so I'm looking foward to it!

Hot Springs, MT is North and West from Missoula, or South and West from Glacier NP. It appears to be situated in some foothills without much else immediately nearby. The town has about four or five things that could be called a restaurant, all of which look like pretty usual small town "pizza, burgers and beer" sort of menus. There's a Conoco gas station near town at the intersection with Highway 28. I'm sure it's going to be cozy and relaxing.

More to say once we've done it! :)

Touring & hiking Sherman Pass & Sherman Point Trail in Washington

Shovel — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 02:28:07 +0000

Rainy day trip to Kettle Falls Washington & some of the short hikes around there. We hiked around Sherman Peak - bitter cold and windy & both of us didn't think to bring gloves! BRRRRRRRR

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There's a less strenuous little interpretive loop a half mile up the road from the trail which we walked too, the Sherman Pass/Sherman Peak trail is part of the PNW Trail but we didn't see any other hikers out today. Snow is forecast, but that doesn't stop the hardcore hikers.

Here's a small gazebo along the bite size 10 minute walk nearby, and the parking lot. Clean 2-room pit toilet here too.

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Down the hill we stopped at a dedication to the Civilian Conservation Corps which had at one point included plans for an elaborate man made lake and park area, real shame that didn't come to happen it would be amazing!

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Further down the hill, the Sherman Point trail is around 3 miles (on foot) round trip and first crosses a very tall out-of-service bridge, walks past some wheat fields, a ton of pheasants, and a lot of really cool views of the river.

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Hiking/Camping outside of Nerderland, CO

Victor Fraire — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:40:06 +0000

Ceran Saint Vrain Trailhead. This is one of my favorite hiking/backpacking trails in the front range.., about a 1/2 hour outside of Boulder. This trail chases the St Vrain river for a few miles before intersecting with network of jeep trails. Beautiful hiking within a thick canopy of pine and aspen trees keeps you cool even on the hottest days. Fantastic backpacking campsites are found on both sides of the river once you get about a mile into the trail. I personally prefer the campsites closest to the river, but there are several higher up the mountain slopes. With the sounds of the flowing river - you will either have a deep peaceful sleep or be constantly waking up having to pee Hahaha.

I've also hiked this trail in the winter & snow-covered pine trees create a winter wonderland. I loved walking on top of the frozen river.., just beware of cracking ice Lol.

Just a gorgeous day-hike not far from the city. Perfect for the little-ones as this is not a strenuous trek. Definitely a strong recommendation if you do not have time to get far into the mountains but still yearn for what Colorado has to offer.

GPS : 40.122794, -105.444418

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Cedars & Cold Lakes in Montana

Shovel — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:23:35 +0000

We're headed out to the Cabinet Mountain wilderness in Western Montana this weekend, just a little 2 day trip. It's funny since Idaho is so narrow we spend more time in the next state over than we do in the state that's right next door.

One destination is a revisit of the Ross Creek Cedars, last time we visited was in March of this year and there was still deep snow enough that we needed to park by the highway and walk four miles in. Beautiful views, but it wore us out and I think for part of it we were being investigated by a big cat.

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This time I suspect we'll just drive straight to the grove so there won't be much hiking there...

But after marking the grove off our checklist we'll head up the road to a proper hiking destination.   We're aiming for Leigh Lake or Little Spar Lake .

Saturday night we'll be staying at the Libby Hostel in Libby MT where we've stayed before. Beds are typical hostel; just a big upstairs room with 10+ vinyl-covered bunk mattresses and a couple more located throughout the building - but it's inexpensive and a short walk to a hot meal and a cold drink or there's a huge kitchen if we feel like cooking something for ourselves.    Not exactly roughing it!

Sunday we're going to try bicycling to the north shore of Kootenai Falls, if that's possible.    I saw a couple mentions online that it can be done and it looks plausible at least most of the way. Failing that we can chain the bikes to a tree and walk the last bit.

Look forward to posting some inspirational photos here upon our return, or you can stalk my instagram for (when we have service) more immediate random junk from the road or under the hood.

Backpacking in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness - Salmon River Trail

Kyle Stewart — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:17:59 +0000

This is a much delayed post, but a few months back I went backpacking with my brother-in-law and his friend near Mount Hood along the Salmon River Trail. The full loop is around 25.7 miles which we planned to do in 3 days, but we ended up hiking in ~11 miles and hit a lot of snow and downed trees which stopped our progress. We camped for one night, I was in a hammock with a good 15° sleeping bag, but my friends weren't so prepared. We hiked out the next day and enjoyed a good burger for dinner on the way home.

For those near the Portland area I would highly recommend this trail. There are a lot of campsites, and it's great for family.
I recently brought by wife and 2 kids, we hiked in ~2 miles to a good campsite by the river and we had a great time.

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Picket Post Mountain (Superior, AZ) Hike

Pete Racz — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 18:57:32 +0000

Had a great hike last weekend around Picket Post Mountain in Superior, AZ. Thought I'd throw out some pics for you all. Meant to post earlier but the week got away from me!

Hiked the circumference of the mountain (8.6 miles). This is one of my favorite hikes. It's a popular hike but the desert scenery and riparian areas are really cool. There's also a trail up to the top of the mountain.

If you live in AZ and haven't tried this hike, give it a go! Again, it's pretty active out there, lots of people. I'd say it is less crowded than the Superstitions though.

Also found a quiet place to have some lunch after the hike!

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***This might not be the right section for this post but didn't see a "Hiking" area specifically...

Regards,

Pete (Chandler, AZ)