Back packing across, around and all over the US

Replies: 7 - Last Post: Dec 21, 2012 2:53 PM Last Post By: clarkcoan

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Dec 20, 2012 10:06 AM
Posts: 5

Back packing across, around and all over the US

Howdy! I'll be back packing all across the U.S. and some company now and again would be nice. Solitude is nice but everything in moderation, right?
I'll be starting in Missouri and heading (as of now) to the Keys in Florida, sticking as much as possible to back county roads and camping on public lands. I plan on making an occasional stop in a decently populated area to re-supply/recharge/repair and replace and find day labor/temp work if possible for a week or 2.
So, any fellow trekkers out there who's travels may coincide with mine at some point and is interested in breaking up the monotony of long term isolation for a period of time, let me know.
I will be going solo, no hotels or cars for the most part unless an opportunity presents itself that coincides with my plans as loose and fluid as they may be.

taz

P.S.
I'm a male, 50 and NOT looking for "escorts"!

montereyjack

Dec 20, 2012 10:17 AM
Posts: 2,411

Dream on cowboy and buy a decent bicycle.

willysnoutredux

Dec 20, 2012 11:25 AM
Posts: 603

Maybe I missed it, but you might want to include when you plan to do any of this.

tazkcmo

Dec 20, 2012 12:02 PM
Posts: 5

Duh! Thanx for the catch! I wouldn't begin until after New Years day. After that it mostly depends on weather patterns and my own sense of preparedness. Probably sometime within the next 30 days.

bzookaj

Dec 20, 2012 2:19 PM
Posts: 5,218

American backpacking or European backpacking?

and camping on public lands.

These aren't as common in the east as they are in the west.
Also, remember any applicable entry and campground fees.

clarkcoan

Dec 20, 2012 2:55 PM
Posts: 164

I would go on the long-distance rail-trails away from traffic. Go to traillink.com I mean you could do the Katy in Missouri for instance. There are rail-trails in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida. There are also other long-distance trails. Such as the Ozark Highlands Trail and a really long trail in Florida.

SDBH

Dec 21, 2012 7:07 AM
Posts: 50

'Probably sometime within the next 30 days.' Wow! The average high temp in Missouri in January is 35 and the average low is 25 (degrees F). Any way to do it in reverse? Start in Florida and work your way up to Missouri? Weather is going to be a big challenge, and your trip sounds like it may have a lot of challenges. Limiting the opportunities of failure and reducing risks may make it more enjoyable and feasible.

Whatever you do - good luck on your adventure!

clarkcoan

Dec 21, 2012 2:53 PM
Posts: 164

Here's what Wikipedia says about the Florida Trail and Ozark Trail:

One of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, the Florida Trail is a footpath spanning 1,400 miles (2,300 km) from Big Cypress National Preserve (between Miami and Naples, Florida along the Tamiami Trail) to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach. Also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail (which applies only to its federally certified segments), the Florida Trail provides hiking and backpacking opportunities within an hour of most Floridians.

The Ozark Trail is a hiking, backpacking, and, in many places, biking and equestrian trail under construction in the Missouri Ozarks in the United States. It is intended to reach from St. Louis to Arkansas. Over 350 miles (563 km) of the trail have been completed as of 2008, and the estimated length when finished will be at least 500 miles (805 km). When joined to the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas, the full hiking distance from end to end will be at least 700 miles (1,127 km), not including a large loop through the St. Francois Mountains in Missouri.

Edited by: clarkcoan

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