Looking for loops around 30 miles

**TrailSlug** · 08-23-2017, 06:35

Originally Posted by Synch cord

What trails did you combine? I am going backpacking with my daughter late September and we want to do 3 nights out. She lives in Roanoke (recent move) and I'm going to head there and save her some time traveling. We would like to stay out on the trails for 4 days and not do in-n-outs. Thanks for any suggestions.

Check out his video in this link where he shows his route on a map.
https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...uly-2017/page2

**Synch cord** · 08-23-2017, 16:39

Thank you so much TrailSlug. Great video and sealed the plan to go to Grayson Highlands area for the trip. I live in Huntsville as well. Looks like about a six hour drive to GH, only two for my daughter so that is a win as well. Thank you too Bammacker for an inspiring video. Makes me proud to be from Alabama.

Regards

**Mr. Doublefister** · 08-24-2017, 08:11

Can anybody recommend any 30-50 mile loops in the Colorado area? Something not too far from the Denver area maybe?

**cneill13** · 08-24-2017, 08:20

Originally Posted by Bobo1234

I'm doing a 24 mile loop that's like half a mile from the NC/GA border, its called the Standing Indian loop. I'm leaving tomorrow morning with a couple buddies, if you'd like I can do a trip report when I return Sunday. It's supposed to be a gorgeous loop.

+1 on the Standing Indian Loop. I did it a few weeks back and it was amazing. I hiked it counter-clockwise beginning at Standing Indian campground. Long Branch trail, AT south to Deep Gap and then the Kimsey Creek trail back to the car.

One note of caution with water, the Big Spring Shelter site has been completely blocked off so make sure you camel up before hiking over Albert Mountain if doing the loop counter clockwise.

**TrailSlug** · 08-24-2017, 08:21

Originally Posted by toomanyhobbies

Can anybody recommend any 30-50 mile loops in the Colorado area? Something not too far from the Denver area maybe?

Maroon Bells four pass loop is one of the ultimate loops but I'm not sure of the exact length.

**Bammacker** · 08-24-2017, 18:31

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Check out his video in this link where he shows his route on a map.
https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...uly-2017/page2

Thanks for posting my route.

Originally Posted by Synch cord

Thank you so much TrailSlug. Great video and sealed the plan to go to Grayson Highlands area for the trip. I live in Huntsville as well. Looks like about a six hour drive to GH, only two for my daughter so that is a win as well. Thank you too Bammacker for an inspiring video. Makes me proud to be from Alabama.

Regards

Thanks. Sorry I didn't respond. I haven't checked HF lately.

**Mr. Doublefister** · 08-27-2017, 10:18

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Maroon Bells four pass loop is one of the ultimate loops but I'm not sure of the exact length.

Looks awesome, thanks for the suggestion! All Trails says 26 miles and 8,182 gain/loss. Going to have to add that one to my to-do list

**Str1der** · 08-28-2017, 12:20

Originally Posted by cneill13

+1 on the Standing Indian Loop. I did it a few weeks back and it was amazing. I hiked it counter-clockwise beginning at Standing Indian campground. Long Branch trail, AT south to Deep Gap and then the Kimsey Creek trail back to the car.

One note of caution with water, the Big Spring Shelter site has been completely blocked off so make sure you camel up before hiking over Albert Mountain if doing the loop counter clockwise.

+2 on Standing Indian Loop.
I've hiked it twice now, once clockwise and once counter. I posted trip reports here for each, but it was a few years ago. I preferred the clockwise direction where you hit Albert before Standing Indian, but both directions are great trips. The ridgeline hiking and the views from Albert and SI Mountain were great, and the trail isn't too steep for the most part. The south Side of Albert is pretty steep, but the rest is easy to moderate. There's a great campsite in the trees just below the summit of SI that I wanted to try both times, but you'd need to camel up with a ton of water before you get there!

**Stubbed my toe** · 09-01-2017, 07:14

+3 Standing Indian Loop, I just posted a trip report a few days ago. Great trip. Definitely get an Appalachian Trail section map for this bit so you can plan for your water needs, there's lots of water sources, but a couple places good for camping that require you to either be topped off, or hike to fill up.

Another option would be in Pisgah National Forrest, near the Wilson Creek area. Plenty of trails to make your own loop. Lots of waterfalls, trout streams and swimming holes.