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Kathryn Jarrell

My friend and I did the extended loop recently and really liked the stop and go of it. It’s nice to hike 2 miles and see a vista and then hike another small distant and see another view, very different from the hike up x miles see view hike down x miles. The loop for us was around 11 miles. We actually hiked this in February, contrary to this post all the trails were open however there were warnings due to ice and snow. I would not hike this in the off season without proper waterproof hiking boots as we sludged through a decent amount of snow, ice, water, and mud. Overall very rewarding with multiple vistas can’t wait to come back in the spring when everything is green and in bloom.

We love Blackwoods camp ground! Nice quiet campground with bathrooms and trash facilities. Camp sites are clean and come with a fire pit and picnic table. Make sure you check the gradient on your site as some camp sites are sloped. There is a shower facilities (only takes quarters) and general store 3 min from the entrance to the campground. There are also places to buy fire wood and kindle within min of leaving the camp ground! Can’t wait to stay here again

A must see in Acadia because of its name, Thunder Hole, but I would save this view for when you have free time and not as a main attraction. It is cool but very crowded. If you can go at night when there are less people it might be more fun.

We hiked this trail in September of 2017. We started off at the nature center and followed the tarn a long a swamp/pond until we got to the ladder trail. The ladder trail is mainly stairs with 2 or 3 sets of small ladders and once you get closer to the summit a sloping flat surface. The tarn, stairs, and ladders are relatively covered over head by trees but once you get to the flat sloping part of the trail you will start to see all the views! Beautiful and challenging trail would climb again in a heart beat :)

Very easy trail with boardwalks and beaten paths! the view from the outlook is beautiful! we saw guys on kayaks out in the middle! A group of people with a stroller were behind us and they managed the trail no problem!

Trail was very tough in terms of footing and it was also very dusty! Lots of wildlife on the trail we saw numerous lizards, a snake, and a lot of tree frogs. The vertical climb wasn't to bad and if you take the tow road back to the visitors center you only have to go up and not down! Overall good trail, very challenging, just the right distance for a good workout.

My friend and I, which I would consider avid hikers, got to the trail around 11:45. The Parking lot had around 5 cars in it, no where near packed. There are Porta bathrooms in the parking lot and they were surprisingly clean and fresh lol. We started on the trail around noon and you begin to ascend almost immediately but its not awful because of the switch backs, however they can look pretty scary. We hiked around 3 miles before the rock scrambles started, the rock scramble was about 1.5 miles long and takes you to the summit. There were two other groups on the trail that we came upon but we never really had to wait for them which was good! Rock scrambles were so much fun, but make sure you have on the right gear! Running sneakers or pants that restrict motion will hold you back. The scrambles require a decent amount of strength in both your arms and your legs or a good partner to give you a boost. We didn't have any issues, but that doesn't mean we didn't struggle at some points! The views at the summit are amazing and the rock formations are very cool! Descent felt like it took forever 6.2 miles (total back to the parking lot you can park in) once you get on the fire road just stay on the fire road! you will see blue markers twice on the way back and we were tempted to take them because of lack of signs after you get on the fire road but we didn't thank god! Overall great day can't wait to go do more hikes in Shenandoah National Park!

We hiked Mount Minsi yesterday and it was a great day off. Our trip total mile wise was 6.5 miles. When we got to the top where there is the option for the emergency access road we continued on maybe a quarter mile further to the "vista" outlook and it was gorgeous, also seemed as if it was a place where people camp or could camp as it was relatively flat and there was an old fire pit. Drive was easy, parking lot was easy to find, hike was ok. Going up was challenging as there was about a mile of stone stair cases but other than that the rhododendron make you feel like you're hiking thorough the jungle and there were not very many nats or flies. If you're trying to decide between hiking boots or sneakers, definitely wear boots, there were many times I could have rolled my ankle the loose stone but my boots saved me. Pack a lunch or a snack as the view at the top is a nice stop for lunch!

What a beautiful hike! trail was nicely marked, only issue we ran into was after the pinnacle we were looking for the two trails and never found them but we did follow the AT until we came to sign for the reservoir which led us back to our car, round trip was 10.2 miles. Also the bugs were kind of bad (Nats, mosquitos, and flies) to avoid constant swatting and bugs in your eyes I recommend bringing a mosquito net face cover.

As expected the park was very busy and Naturally the small parking lot was very full with people waiting to get in and looking for spots. My friend and I were going to call it quits but when we went to make a u turn we saw a farm just 1/4 of a mile from the parking lot that offered to let us park in their yard for 5 dollars, which we gladly accepted because it was better than calling it quits and driving 45 min home. The falls are very pretty however the area is very public, seemingly a large swim hole. We walked around, the trails are pretty well beaten in and there is no real hard elevation gain, we also went swimming we swam under the falls and we also climbed to the top of the falls and sat in the pool right above the falls which was very cool. Would recommend for a nice day in the sun with a picnic however not the best hiking and also very public!

Went to Jim Thorpe during winter and the frozen falls were amazing. Cannot wait to go back in the spring to check it out again. Relatively easy hike, just watch your footing, esp if you go in the winter I recommend yak tracks, because the rocks can get a little bit slippery.