Desert noobs visit Zion and the North Rim

[mak1277]

It was great to read about your travels out west.

There are excellent places back east too. For one, it is an odd thing to someone for the desert to see trees grow like massive weeds, especially in fall. It is good to see those reports after the long drives to get out of Jersey.

I've always wondered if people from the west enjoy hiking in the east, or if they find it terribly boring to look at trees all the time. I can say, as someone that backpacks a lot in Virginia, that the best hike I've ever taken in Virginia was less interesting than the most boring part of my Zion Traverse that I took in May. As soon as I can get out of the shackles of my job I will be relocating out west, I know that much.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Lol, wasn't too inspiring to read this considering I'm heading to the Blue Ridge Mtns in VA tomorrow. I think you are probably correct for the most part though, overall the east just can't compete. I still believe that if you work hard enough to put yourself in the right place at the right time though you can find some really awesome stuff out east. You just have to commit to a lot more planning and driving to find it. I'd have a hard time believing that backpackers from out west wouldn't find a deep appreciation for places like the White Mountains or ADK high peaks given the chance to experience them on a clear day.

 

[mak1277]

I like the mountains in Virginia just fine, and I will continue to enjoy hiking here. I'll also continue to enjoy eating cheeseburgers while realizing they aren't as good as a really excellent steak (choose your own analogy, you get the picture). Just because something's not the best doesn't mean it's not good.

Where in VA are you going to be this weekend, @Vegan.Hiker ?

 

[Nick]

Lol, wasn't too inspiring to read this considering I'm heading to the Blue Ridge Mtns in VA tomorrow. I think you are probably correct for the most part though, overall the east just can't compete. I still believe that if you work hard enough to put yourself in the right place at the right time though you can find some really awesome stuff out east. You just have to commit to a lot more planning and driving to find it. I'd have a hard time believing that backpackers from out west wouldn't find a deep appreciation for places like the White Mountains or ADK high peaks given the chance to experience them on a clear day.

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That looks like the west to me!

I've never hiked back east, but I've hiked in the Cascades in Oregon and the one thing that got me was the total lack of views. You'd go for miles and miles and then one tiny little break in trees would seem like an epic view. As much as I enjoyed that trip, I can't get enough of that open space. Wide open desert man.. mmmmmm.

 

[mak1277]

That looks like the west to me!

I've never hiked back east, but I've hiked in the Cascades in Oregon and the one thing that got me was the total lack of views. You'd go for miles and miles and then one tiny little break in trees would seem like an epic view. As much as I enjoyed that trip, I can't get enough of that open space. Wide open desert man.. mmmmmm.

That's exactly where I'm coming from as well. On the other hand, when you climb up to that viewpoint you really do feel like you've accomplished something...unlike those lazy western hikers who can get a great view just by driving up to the trailhead.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Where in VA are you going to be this weekend, @Vegan.Hiker ?

McAfee Knob/Spy Rock/Mount Pleasant/Blackrock Summit/Hawksbill Mountain

The plan is to leave straight from work tomorrow night and drive the 7 hours to McAfee Knob and sleep at the trailhead. Friday I will hike to McAfee Knob, then drive the hour and a half to the Spy Rock trailhead, hike out and camp near Spy Rock. Saturday I'll hike back from Spy Rock, park at Hog Camp Gap and hike Mount Pleasant, then drive to the southern entrance of Shenandoah and hike to Blackrock Summit and camp nearby. Sunday I'll hike back from Blackrock Summit back to my car, drive up Skyline Drive to Hawksbill Mountain and hike Hawksbill before driving 5-6 hours back home.

I planned this trip out sometime over the winter and it was supposed to be my first trip of the season but I've been rained out of doing it twice. The forecast for this weekend isn't great either so I may be taking another rain check and heading a few hours west instead to backpack in Letchworth State Park, another trip that's been on my list.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

That looks like the west to me!
You'd go for miles and miles and then one tiny little break in trees would seem like an epic view.

That basically sums up how it is out here in most places. Saying our views are fewer and farther between would be an understatement.

 

[xjblue]

You're big dandelion like seed head was probably a Yellow salsify. Nice report, brings back many great memories from several different trips!

 

[Skiwi]

You packed a lot into your short visit. After missing out on both North Rim backcountry and Wave permits for our late September visit this year we were pleased in successfully getting a Narrows overnight (also staying in site 7) and Subway permits. We have done the Narrows at least 3 times from the bottom up and go up early to avoid the crowds but it is always a shock to 'hit' them on your way out. I hope you plan your return trip and take in more special places in the area.