Big Run Loop/Portal Trail 15 May 2011

This was our first hike… and from the moment we stepped on the trail I think Jason and I were both hooked.  However things did get tense between us when we realized that we had hiked about 2 miles down the wrong trail… and then the realization that we had to hike back…

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• Jones Run – Doyles River Falls 28 May 2011 (myordinaryjourney.wordpress.com)

Jones Run – Doyles River Falls 28 May 2011

We took on the 8.4 mile Jones Run/Doyles River Falls circuit hike this weekend.  We took Beth’s friend too.  The first half of the hike was pretty tough.  There was some pretty steep and slippery inclines and declines.  I always do better going up rather than going down.  I’m always slipping when I make a decent.  Going up I just hard charge through things.  We had a 1800 ft elevation change.  The second “half” of the hike (in miles) took us only an hour.  The first half took us a little over 4 hours; that should tell you how hard it was.  We actually went a little farther north than this map shows.  The route here is only 6.6 miles.

The second part of the hike was on the Appalachian Trail and it was pretty smooth sailing.  I think this weekend coming up we’re going to try and get about 10 miles in, but maybe something not so popular.  There were a lot of people on the trail we did, but I don’t know if that’s because it was a holiday weekend, or if it is just a really popular trail.  Here is our trip, from beginning to end.

And they’re off…

Since last week went so well, Jason and I decided to take the kids this week. We are going to try the same trail we were supposed to do last week and then maybe a smaller, easier one further north. More pictures to follow.