Big Mileage Day on First Trip in Zaleski

[JTKessOH]

I finally got out for my first backpacking trip ever. I chose Zaleski from the great reviews I have seen online and peoples stories, and it was great. My plan was a 6.1 mile hike in on the South Loop to the campsite at D Friday night after work. Saturday I would continue up through the middle loop to the camp at H then proceed to the North loop after lunch for a 12.2 mile day. Then Sunday I would take the middle loop 5.1 miles back to the parking lot. Well, the plan got changed a little bit. I brought along my pack, 35lbs, and my dog Milo.

Friday I showed up way late (traffic). So I got started at 7pm. The elevations at Zaleski were wicked especially that first mile and a half. I passed someone on the trail taking a break about 3/4 mile in. That wasn't much for building confidence on my first weekend. I pressed on and really enjoyed the hike. There were some beautiful sights. Right as the sun was starting to set and I am about to pull out my headlamp I walked up on camp around 9:15pm. I set up camp, fed the dog and had some food myself, and went to sleep.

The next morning started at 6am packing up my camp, eating/feeding the dog, and refilling water. Since I had come into camp so late my clothes did not dry overnight. I had brought extra socks though so that was a savior. I started again on my "big day" around 7am. A few miles in I had to stop and bandage over a rub on my heel I had felt the night before. Mile, my black lab pup, comes face to face (within 10ft) of a coyote. They both stare at each other, unsure of what the other is. Once the coyote see's me it bolts into the woods. That was pretty intense. We saw even more wildlife, tons of deer, a box turtle, salamanders, a hawk, owl, and a grouse. The huge moss covered stones and overhangs were amazing. I stopped briefly to check them out but went back to hiking quickly. I felt as if I had to keep up a strong fast pace and really prove something to myself.

We pulled up to camp at H around 9:30am and had a quick lunch, chicken curry pita sandwich, which proved to be way too filling and heavy. Not eating that again mid day when I have a lot more hiking to do. We continued on the North loop which proved to be the toughest part. The elevation changes were steep and demanding, at least for a first timer. My knees were really starting to feel the weight of the pack and my feet were slowly adding more blisters and rubs from the fast pace. I had to stop and take a few breaks to catch my breath and drink some water on a few of the hills. I started second guessing why I wanted to do a 12.2 mile day. We continued and came to the creek crossing right before point J. I removed my boots and socks and walked through the above knee deep water. Milo enjoyed a nice cooling swim. After 4.5 hrs we had made it back to camp H.

I am now physically whipped and not even sure I will be able to continue tomorrow. I set up camp and have a snack and plenty of water. My legs feel like jelly, my feet look like an apprentice butcher got a hold of them, and my knees just feel wrecked. I take a break and check the clock to see what time it was. 3:30pm? Really? I have plenty of time even if I keep a very slow pace to complete the last 5.1 miles back to the car if I was a crazy person. Well to my legs downfall I can be idiot, so I packed up camp and decided I was going to turn my first hike into a high mileage day. I know I can camp, lets see if I can pound out miles. After a Gatorade and a cliff bar we start back on the trail, with a slight limp, around 4:15. Luckily there were only 2 uphill climbs that I remember on this stretch and plenty more beautiful scenery. We made it to the car extremely tired, dehydrated, and full of accomplishment around 6:30.

I had an amazing time and really enjoyed putting in the big miles. It was great. Thanks for all of the help from everyone from previous threads. Ok I need to get back to icing my legs.

Thanks,

JTKessOH

SPOT check in points
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy306/JTKessOH/Zaleski%20Hik%202011/Untitled.png

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy306/JTKessOH/Zaleski%20Hik%202011/IMG00068-20110709-1732.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy306/JTKessOH/Zaleski%20Hik%202011/IMG00066-20110709-1732.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy306/JTKessOH/Zaleski%20Hik%202011/IMG00039-20110709-0813.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy306/JTKessOH/Zaleski%20Hik%202011/IMG00021-20110708-2024.jpg

[lakota]

Sounds like fun and thats a nice looking pup you have there. Nothing better than having your best friend with you in the great outdoors. I have always considered my two rowdy labs as essential camping "equipment"! Is there any backcountry fishing at Zaleski?

[JTKessOH]

The one pond you see in the pic maybe but its a trip to get to it. I'm not sure if they allow fishing there or not though either.

[Wow]

You must be a glutton for punishment, JTKessOH. LOL! It was painful just reading it. I'm glad you made it out in one piece.
You sure learn a great deal on your first hike. Were you wearing an undersock, a thin synthetic that wicks away moisture and reduces friction around the foot? They're a lifesaver.
After my first couple hikes, way back when, I realized that I wasn't running a race, I was doing it for fun. I wanted to enjoy the deep wilderness, but not feeling pressure to make time. Now I let my body tell me when to press on and when to mosey along. I prefer national forests because you can camp anywhere you like.
I've noticed that with a dog along to set the pace, you tend to walk faster, this can be a blessing or at times a curse.
One thing's for sure, there's nothing more rewarding than that sense of accomplishment when you get home and "feel the burn".--Tim............................................... .................................................. .................................................. ......47365

[ezbite]

great thread, thanks for sharing with us:D

[Thompson240]

JT you must have been within half a mile of the turkey trail (1) on the point just SW of Carbondale going SW from 56. Very cool trails all over that area. Were you walking paths or following the painted trees? (side bar) I think the coyote population is pretty high in that area now. In the winter you can hear groups of them around 3-5am all the time. SPOOKY!!!, lol.

...I've noticed that with a dog along to set the pace, you tend to walk faster, this can be a blessing or at times a curse....

Also, with a dog along you will learn to use his/her nose and ears to your advantage.

[Wow]

Also, with a dog along you will learn to use his/her nose and ears to your advantage.

You can also give him saddlebags to carry his own food / water / dish--Tim............................................... .................................................. .................................................. ............47464

[JTKessOH]

Thompson240, There were def coyotes all around. They woke me and the pup up a couple times that night. It was exciting. I was following the Zaleski Backpacking Trail (orange blazes). A majority of the trails are right along the Turkey management area so I bet I was very close.

Wow, I definately like to see how much I can put myself through and keep going. You got the same idea as I do with the dog pack. His food alone is one of my heaviest items. Definitely a future purchase so cut my pack weight back a lil.

[treytd32]

hey my friend and I were at the camp you came up to the first night, your dog milo is super friendly and much better behaved than my dog would have been. Thanks for letting us snap a couple shots of your map, we probably would have gotten lost on the top loop when we went exploring if not for pics. We got into camp H about an hour or 2 before you got back from the top loop and when we saw you go by we both thought you must of been haulin a$$ lol we did the top loop shortly after that and decided to cross over the beaver dam there instead of wading the knee deep orange water haha sounds like you did great for your first trip out.

Did you by chance cross by the big turkey management sign on the top loop?

[JTKessOH]

treytd32, No worries on the map. Thanks for letting me know where the water was. I was dying haha. I did cross the Turkey Management sign and I was bummed I didnt come across any turkey through there.

[treytd32]

my friend saw a grouse when we went through there but no turkeys.. for awhile we thought we were lost because of all the older blazes and some of the path being overgrown. We actually tracked you and your dogs prints for awhile to make sure we weren't the only ones going through those trails.

here's a link to the pictures I took while we were out there.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1886593210799.2096833.1420470106

[Smitty82]

Awesome adventure! Im plaining on backpacking Zaleski in oct. If you want a good sock thats really good for your feet i would suggest under armour hikeing socks. They are pretty expensive but i have had mine for a while now and they have held up. Also you dont have to ware two pairs of socks with them. Totaly worth it in my opinion.

[Smitty82]

Dont mean to hijack your thread but was wondering if you could tell me how the camping system works at zaleski? Do you have to get a permit ahead of time? Are you assined a camp site? Or do you just register before you hit the trail and camps are first come first serve? Also do they have water sorces on the backpacking trail? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[JTKessOH]

Smitty82. I plan on using my Under Armour socks next time. I was wearing smart wool but they were kind of on the lighter side.

As far as camping goes you just register at the trail head and head on in til you hit a camp you want to stay at. There are 3 along the trails and all have water (call the park rangers to make sure they have been filled), and a outhouse. There are a handful of spots for tents in the camps, many of which have a fire pit. It is first come first serve.

Check out the link below for maps, phone numbers, and more info about the park.
http://backpackohio.com/zaleski.html

[Smitty82]

Thats awesome, i have used smart wool too and like em alot. Have any of you backpacked the Shawnee backpacking trails?

[treytd32]

My friend and I did a 40 mile trip at Shawnee earlier this year in the spring. There's a link to pictures of it and a thread on here somewhere from it. It was much more difficult than the Zaleski trip..it seemed like constant steep up and downs and switchbacks. Despite blowing out a boot and not planning our times and distances very well it was an enjoyable trip.

Registration is similar to Zaleski except you write what camps you expect to stay at on which day and your expected departure day. You also have to email the ranger (Nathan Jester) ahead of time to obtain a camping permit if you wish to camp on the wilderness side trail. Water is not at every camp site like Zaleski though so another source of water is advised unless your good at rationing.

[Smitty82]

How long did it take you guys to complete the 40 mil?

[treytd32]

it took us about 3 1/2 days. we hiked between 10-15 miles a day.

[Smitty82]

Cool, thanks for the info!

[treytd32]

this is nearly half a year belated but here's a video of my friend and my trip in Zaleski in June. Forewarning: Sorry if we (cough cough me cough) are kind of vulgar in the video..

http://www.youtube.com/user/treytd32?feature=mhee#p/c/E6F74C4394195CC4/2/XyK3XtKKOWs

our trip to Shawnee is also on there if you're interested in that.. it is 38 minutes long though so you may not want to watch that one lol same warning applies from above