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  1. #1

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    Backbone Trail, Kisatchie NF Louisiana

    Me and my son had planned on hiking this a few weekends ago. But he got sick so we had to cancel. I had a few days off this week so I decided to make a one night solo trip. I arrived about 3PM at trail head and stopped about 4:30 to make camp by a creek.

    The trail is only 7.5 miles long but then a 2.5 mile road walk back to the truck if you don't have anyone to shuttle. Plus you can take the High Ridge Trail and Turpentine both about 1.5 miles lone as side trails and add miles if you want to. This is the only place in Louisiana that you can find rocks that I know of. It is up on sandstone hills with some decent views. I went from the southern trailhead to the northern, but if I do it again I would go north to south.

    The southern half has multiple creek crossing for water if you decide to camp and don't want to carry a few days worth. The northern half doesn't cross any creeks. This is the only wilderness area in Louisiana I think. There is a sign that states the trail isn't blazed all that well and not many bridges over creeks. That is true. I had to back track a few times to find the trail, but wasn't that difficult. And two creeks were too wide to jump across, but the trail was wet from rain earlier so I just waded across in my already wet shoes.

    Recent fire damage still remains
    IMG_1824.jpg

    Big Daddy tarp over DIY hammock
    IMG_1832.jpg
    IMG_1830.jpg

    Ready for a cup of coffee and supper
    IMG_1835.jpg
    Good thing my feet were already wet from slipping in the creek getting water or I would have been tempted to cross on the log.
    IMG_1836.jpg
    IMG_1839.jpg

    The trail was either sandy or very slippery wet clay on the ridges. The bottoms by the creeks were hardwood and good hiking conditions.
    IMG_1846.jpg

    Great trail for Louisiana folks looking to get out for a day hike or multiple days. I could explore the woods for a day and enjoy two or more nights. You could also hike the Caroline Dorman trail and add 14 miles to it. The southern Backbone trail head is the eastern trail head for the Caroline Dorman.

    Kisatchie Ranger District maps
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2

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    I forgot to add the temp was 60* when I stepped out of the truck. Got down to upper 40's that night. Foggy the next day until about noon. My pack was 20 lbs with food and water.

  3. #3
    Senior Member 2ply's Avatar
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    Looks like a great place for a hang. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
    Everyone ought to believe in something....I believe I'll go set up the hammock!

  4. #4
    Member bluecrow76's Avatar
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    I love that trail. My dad, stepson and I did an overnighter on it a few years back. It was 29*F that night. It was great! I totally agree about starring from the north side first. That clay when wet really matted down with pine needles on our shoes. I'm hoping to get us all back this winter for another trip. There is one spot in the middle where we camped that night that has a nice outlook of what I think may be the only valley in l Louisiana. :-) I'll post coordinated when I get home. The setting made me think I was in Utah among the quaking Aspens.
    Last edited by bluecrow76; 12-07-2014 at 00:22.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by 2ply View Post
    Looks like a great place for a hang. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
    Very unusual landscape for Louisiana. That's my favorite part of it.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by bluecrow76 View Post
    I love that trail. My dad, stepson and I did an overnighter on it a few years back. It was 29*F that night. It was great! I totally agree about starring from the north side first. That clay when wet really matted down with pine needles on our shoes. I'm hoping to get us all back this winter for another trip. There is one spot in the middle where we camped that night that has a nice overlook of what I think may be the only valley in l Louisiana.
    It was so foggy hiking out I could t see very far. But the pine needles mixed with super slick clay made for some interesting hiking.

  7. #7
    Member bluecrow76's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluecrow76 View Post
    I'll post coordinated when I get home.
    Here's the coordinates of the camp site we like:
    31°29'48.75"N 92°59'2.43"W

    If you're doing the trail south to north, the trail climbs up a little steep part and then goes north west once you reach the top. Instead you go north east a little and there is this nice little camp site with the outlook.

    If you pull up the above link to Google Maps its doesn't look like much until you hit the "tilt the view" button... Like you said Nodust, very unusual landscape for Louisiana indeed!

  8. #8

    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluecrow76 View Post
    Here's the coordinates of the camp site we like:
    31°29'48.75"N 92°59'2.43"W

    If you're doing the trail south to north, the trail climbs up a little steep part and then goes north west once you reach the top. Instead you go north east a little and there is this nice little camp site with the outlook.

    If you pull up the above link to Google Maps its doesn't look like much until you hit the "tilt the view" button... Like you said Nodust, very unusual landscape for Louisiana indeed!
    I think I know what climb you are talking about. I really want to explore more of the area around the trail. I'm sure there are some hidden spots perfect for hanging my hammock.

  9. #9
    Senior Member RedStix's Avatar
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    Nice report, Nodust. Keep me posted if you ever want a partner on a hike.

    RedStix

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by RedStix View Post
    Nice report, Nodust. Keep me posted if you ever want a partner on a hike.

    RedStix
    I'll do that. I work shift work so many of my solo trips are weekdays. Weekends we are normally out with the troop.

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