High Trestle Trail

Recently, a buddy and I went on an overnight, self-contained bike ride on the High Trestle Trail in Iowa. It is an awesome trail to say the least. It starts out in Ankeny in a parking lot just behind the central fire station. The trail head comes from the parking lot and is about 26 miles long. This is an established bike trail that crosses a few intersections, so you don't have to worry about cars too much. 

Along the trail, we saw rabbits, ground squirrels, cats, lots of birds, and a doe and fawn. There's plenty of wildlife. The trail goes through the town of Madrid and ends in Woodward. There's several places along the trail with benches and a few rest stops. It's quite scenic and even has a couple tunnels you ride through. When we went, we met probably 100 bikers each day on the trail among several walkers. 

Before hitting the trail bottom, you come across the High Trestle Bridge which is a real sight. Next to the bridge is a lookout tower so you can get a good look at the bridge. 

When we arrived in Woodward, we went to The Whistling Donkey, a bar. That's where you pay your $10 a tent to use the camping area. The camping area is a flat, grassy area with plenty of trees and a picnic table and fire ring. We got a pop at the bar, met one of the locals, then went to look for our camping spot. I brought my ENO hammock, so we made sure to find a place near trees. 

We found the perfect spot and I set up the hammock while my buddy set up his tent in a nice grassy patch. It didn't take long to set up. We then, went into town to a diner called Lou's Diner, or also called the Firehouse. The food there was great and we met a local there as well. 

As we rode though the town, we had some good scenery. The park area near the restrooms was quite attractive. Unfortunately, they don't have a shower house, but do have rain barrels to collect shower water. We filled a shower bag and set it up next to shelter we set up and I got my shower. 

As the sun began to set, we rode back to the bridge where it is was lit up beautifully. We rode around to see different angles of it, but we didn't stay as long as we hoped because the bugs were aweful. 

When we got back, he took a rinse off and we were off to bed. It was a little warm at first but began to cool off with a slight breeze. A nice night for an open hammock. 

Next day, we got up and began packing. We heard a storm was supposed to come so, we wanted to get going as soon as we could. I got my coffee made as he took down the shower we set up. It didn't take long to pack up; Clif Bar for breakfast and we were off. 

The trip back was just as good as was there with the exception of the tailwind which really helped our time. Luckily, we got back before it started raining. 

Stay tuned for part 2!

Shoes

It's been almost a month since my last post and thought this one would be good to get going again. 

I mentioned in a previous post that, when hiking, shoes are important. If you don't have the right shoes, you will develop blisters and your feet will ache after your hike. There are several types of shoes out there for different hikes and you can even narrow it down to the brand and model. That would take a very long time, so I will give you something to start out with. 

Climbing

Let's start with climbing since there aren't a big variety of shoes for it. There are basically 2 types of shoes: climbing and approach. Climbing shoes are specially designed fit snug around your feet and give you the ability to feel the rocks. They are also sleek which makes it easy to get your feet in and out of heel jams. The soles and heels are a rubber material that sticks to the rocks as you're climbing. The design of the sole has many contours to benefit climbing, but they also make difficult and uncomfortable to walk in. There are different thicknesses for different level climbers. If you're beginning, you want a stiffer shoe until you build up your strength. Then you can move to a more flexible shoe that allows to feel the rocks better. Climbing shoes come in many styles. The most common are lace up/tie and Velcro. It doesn't really matter which one you get, it's based on what you prefer. With climbing shoes, you don't generally wear socks with them. Since they are supposed to allow you to feel the rocks, you really shouldn't wear socks. 

Because climbing shoes are difficult to walk in, there are approach shoes. These shoes are similar to hiking shoes, but are little lighter and breath better. They are designed to hike up to the crag, then change. Because of this, they aren't as durable as some other shoes out there. Therefore, they arent rugged enough for long hikes. They are intended for moderate terrain and short hikes. 

Some good brands are Mad Rock, Mammut, REI, Tenaya Oasi, and Scarpa. 

Hiking 

Similar to approach shoes are hiking shoes. There are many types of these types on the market. When choosing your hiking shoes, there are a few things to consider. 

1: high tops vs. low tops. I personally prefer high tops because they give good ankle support, especially on steep or rugged terrain. They also provide some insulation when it's chilly. However, low top shoes are much cooler, so they are great for the summer months. Consider the area you are hiking in. Is it mostly hills or wilderness terrain? You probat want high top. Is it mostly flat with established trails? You could get by with low top. 

2: weight. Weight is very important when hiking. It's a general rule that lighter is better. Mine are thicker because they are made to support the ankle. That extra padding makes it heavier. Again, it depends on your terrain. If it's rugged terrain, you want something a little heavier. If it's flat, a lighter shoe will benefit you. That also goes back to high top vs. low top. High tops are heavier than low tops. You also want to consider your weather conditions. If you are hiking in winter, you will want a thicker, insulated boot. 

3: soles. Look at the soles of the shoes you are getting. Regardless of terrain, you want good, thick soles with good traction. The thick soles will last a while and will prevent something going into your foot if you step on something sharp. The good traction and deep tread are great for when it rains and gets slippery and for hiking steep hills. 

4: material. Your material is going to be largely based on climate and weather. I mentioned that when hiking in winter, you want sometime insulated. But you also want the shells to be a little stiff. This gives good ankle support which is really needed in snow. You also want something waterproof to keep your socks from getting wet. 

If hiking in warmer weather, you want a lightweight material. It's also good to get a shoe that has mesh on the sides or top without compromising the ankle support. The mesh will make a huge difference in the hot weather. It wicks the sweat away and allows your feet to breath. It is a good idea though, to spray your shoes with a waterproofing spray, especially if hiking where you may get wet. Also try to get something that has Gore-Tex. This is a waterproof, breathable material and is your best bet for a good shoe. 

Some good brands are Columbia, Keen, GTX, Merrell, and Salomon. 

All-terrain sandals

If you are hiking in dessert climate, you may want to just consider all-terrain sandals. These are rugged sandals that give the same support that hiking shoes do. However, since they are sandals, they allow your feet breath and catch air. In addition, you won't have the sweat build up and fungus and mold from the hot air. They are amazingly comfortable and don't really rub if you have the right size. These are generally made of leather which gives them great durability. They don't have deep treads, but the tread pattern on most of these shoes give great traction. 

Some good brands are Keen and Ecco. 

Aqua socks

All terrain sandals are also great for if you want to walk through creeks. But if you suspect you will be in water a lot and won't do much hiking, get some aqua socks. These are mesh shoes with a rubber/foam sole. They are great for when you're on a boat. They are light weight and hold up to water, however, when you swim with them, they do become heavy. There are no brand I would recommend because the Wal Mart brand is as good as any. 

Boots

It's always good to have ankle support and good shoes for rugged terrain, but if you think your shoes will take a lot of abuse, you may want to consider boots. Boots are naturally more durable than shoes and there's some good ones out there. If hiking in in swamp areas or jungles, the old Vietnam style jungle boots are great. The are flexible and have drain holes towards the bottom for when you get water in them. They also hold out tics and Mosquitos. The major drawback though is the comfort factor. They take a lot of breaking in and still aren't great for long hikes. Make sure to get a size that fits ferfectly and use insoles. 

Speaking of military boots, if you plan to hike a lot in the dessert and want something to support your ankles, the military dessert boots are great. Depending on the brand, they are very comfortable and breath very well. The soles are great on them as well. The suade on the toes and heels are naturally waterproof, but the rest isn't. Same goes for the jungle boots 

If you are just looking for a hiking boot, go back and look at the hiking shoes paragraph because you're essentially looking for the same thing. The only real difference is the durability. Most boots out there are leather and for some reason, some hikers think they are best. Leather will hold up for a long time, but it'svery heavy. Your feet will feel like bricks after a few miles of hiking. The leather does give good ankle support but maybe a little too much. You want to be able to flex your feet a little when hiking and leather prevents that. There are many high top boots that have the same make as hiking shoes and I would recommend those. I recommend, if you want boots, go to the same brands as the hiking shoes. 

Toe shoes

Another great shoe is toes shoe. These are shoes that form fit around your foot and has the individual toes. This gives the barefoot feel and is great for trail running. They aren't real durable so you aren't going to hike long distance with them, most trail runs and day hikes. However, they are rugged and can take abuse. They are also great for climbing. You can go barefoot with them or they also make socks with the individual toes. Most toe shoes are designed with a breathable material and moderately thick rubber sole. They also mostly come with elastic drawstrings to tighten them. When you get toe shoes, you need to make sure they fit perfectly being how they are form fitting. This kind of a drawback, but he real drawback is the fact it doesn't have much support. When running or hiking, you are forced land on your heel and it can damage your ankles, knees, and there have been accounts of damaged Achillies tendon. There's a controversy right now about whether or not these shoes are bad for you, but I like them. 

Some good brands are Vibram, Skeletoes, and Fut Glove. 

Running

Another shoe not many people think of in the "adventuring" category are running shoes. You obviously aren't going to wear them when hiking rough terrain or backpacking. But they are the preferred shoe for trail running. Toe shoes are great for trail running but some people prefer regular running shoes. When trail running, you want something better than a standard running shoe since they will take more abuse than a normal run. Get one with good, thick soles. Most trail running shoes are the same as regular running shoes in the regard that the are a mesh material that allow your feet to breath. 

Some good brands are New Balance, Keen, and Basics. 

Biking

The last shoe I want to cover is biking shoes. There is a wide variety of biking shoes. The 2 main types are just the regular shoes and there's the clip in shoes. The regular shoes are lightweight shoes that make it easier to ride. The clip in shoes have a piece of metal in the bottom that clips into a special pedal, similar to how a ski boot clips into skis. These shoes can come in lace up/tie shoes, buckle, Velcro, drawstring, etc. And like any other adventuring shoe, there are different types for different rides. The main differences are in the climate you're riding in. You can get insulated ones that keep your feet warm, lightweight/breathable ones, sandal style. Like the other types of shoes, if you are riding in warm weather, get ones that breath and maybe with mesh in them. Again, like any other shoes, if you don't get the right size, it can rub on your feet and make your ride miserable. Biking shoes are different from any other in the respect that they aren't mad for walking long distances, they are designed for pedaling. If you are going to ride to somewhere, then hike, take a pair of hiking shoes. You can get covers that go over the shoe so walking doesn't tear up the metal or the cleats. 

Some good brands are Vibram, Pearl, and Sidi. 

Choosing a good shoes is vital to keeping your feet happy. Make sure to get the right shoes for what you are doing. Some good places to get many of the shoes are Moosejaw, PerformanceBike, REI, RunningWarehouse. Comment any other good suggestions for shoes or on looking for shoes. 

Day hike "get away"

I often write posts on packing techniques, camping, and others related to backpacking. However, a majority of people in my area aren't backpackers, but enjoy simple day hikes to get away. I have posted pictures of some of my day hikes, but never really posted on how take one of these trips. 

The joy of a day hike is the lack of planning. You can plan ahead where you're going to go, what you will take, and maybe even construct an itinerary. Or you may decide at the last minute "it's nice out, let's go for a hike". I often store all my stuff in my backpacking pack and if I decide to go for a day hike, I just pull out what I need, throw it in a day pack, and take off. But regardless if it's an hour long hike and all-day hike, make sure some knows where you're going in case of emergency. 

There's no set list of things to take with you. You can simply just take a water bottle or bladder and be happy with that. You may decide to toss in some snacks, maybe some navigation tools. I like to take my hammock so when it's time for a rest or if I find a beautiful spot, I can put it up quickly and just hang out (no pun intended :) ). I like to take a small meal and some snacks. If I bring my hammock, I'll often bring a book so I can read when hanging. And as always, if I'm by myself, I'll bring my iPod to listen to on the hike. If you're hiking with someone, leave it at home. The best part of hiking is the time you can spend with a person. If you decide to take your phone, turn it off! Nothing irritates me more than taking a hike and someone is texting. Smart phones are the biggest distraction and takes the point out of hiking. 

If you are taking some gear along, get a decent backpack. You can use a "school" backpack, but I recommend something a little better with hip straps. The hip straps help to keep all the weight off your shoulders. Osprey, Kelty, Camelback, Black Diamond, and Teton make some great day packs. But if you want to minimize how much you buy for day hike, at least get some good shoes. You want some sturdy hiking shoes. If you don't, you won't enjoy the hike. Some good brands are GTX, Columbia, and Patagonia. I'll do a future post on choosing footwear. You want make sure to wear something comfortable and appropriate to the weather. 

There are many parks out there for hiking. Since this is an Iowa blog by nature, I'll give you some good parks in Iowa to hike at: Yellow River State Forrest, Geode Stare Park, Shimmek State Forrest, Pikes Peak State Park, Wilson Lake, Rodeo Park Fort Madison, Nelson Park, Backbone State Park, Mines of Spain Recreation, Eagle Point Park, Maquoketa State Park, Pictured Rock, Carmack Park, Rathbun, Pleasant Creek, Stars Cave, and Volga River to name a few. 

If you live close by a state or national park. You have an advantage! Start researching your area and see what's available. You may only have a park with a 5 mile trail. Great! If you hurry through, it won't take long to reach the end. However, shorter trails allow you to slow down and simply enjoy the hike without worrying about time. It's nice if you have multiple parks in your area so it doesn't become monotonous. You can chose which park to hike at based on the length and difficulty you're feeling. 

Many parks have picnic areas. It's nice when you can hike for an hour, and stop at a picnic area to eat and enjoy the scenery. Say you're hiking at Geoge. You can park in the parking lot, hike the trails, then come back and eat at a picnic spot. This kind of day hiking is ideal for taking young kids and for family hikes. Many of these places also have fishing opportunities. 

In addition to fishing, you can do many things while hiking; it doesn't have to just be walking the trail. Some people like to bring binoculars and bird watch. If you have kids, you can give them scavenger hunts to find certain leaves, bark, etc. Some people like to bring outdoor guides and identify different plants and trees. If it's the right season, mushroom hunting is popular. Some trails are also set up for biking. When I was younger, I used to practice survival skills such as making shelters, constructing snares, etc. This is a great idea for kids. Some of these places have caves that you can explore. I've always had a thing for confined space and exploring caves. 

The biggest thing you should do in hikes is bring a camera. I take hundreds of pictures while I'm out on the trail. It's fun to look back on old pictures and have the memories of those trips. I recommend keeping a journal as well. I do this on all trips. Pictures are great for reliving memories, but puting a journal in your own words really captures the moment. I can go back 5 years in my journal and remember exactly what I was feeling and every detail of the event. It really is worth while. 

Day hikes can be just as rewarding, if not more, as backpacking. So many opportunities to get out there and enjoy nature and the company of who you're hiking with. Please comment any suggestions you would also have for day hikes. If you would like to inquire about places in your area to hike at, please comment or send us a message via Facebook. 

Camping Essentials pt 2

You have read my last post on what gear you need to start camping. Now you’re ready to find a camping spot. People dream of camping in elaborate and beautiful places. In most cases, though, you have you hike a long ways to get that camping spot. If you are starting out and need the experience, find a state or national park closest to you and go to the campsite. That’s the simplest and easiest way to start out. Most sites are pretty cheap to camp at. You can also just start in your backyard or farm. 

When looking for a site, try to find one that is flat. It may not seem like a significant slope, but when you finally lay down to sleep, you will definitely notice it. If you just can’t avoid a slope, put the head of your sleeping bag uphill. This will help to avoid the feeling of being upside down. You can set up near trees, but as you set up your tent, find a spot that is free of tree roots that will dig into your back. Also, try to clear away sticks and nuts before setting up the tent. If you are hammock camping, you obviously need two trees to set up the hammock. Find trees that are about 10 feet apart. That is ideal for setting up the hammock. 

When you set up your tent, do so upwind of the fire. This will keep the smoke out of the tent. You can also apply this to hammocks. I generally face the door of tent towards the fire. However, if you are expecting wind direction to change, face it away. If you camp in winter, face the door downwind. If you don’t, snow could pile up on the door and when you open it, get a tent full of snow.

All established campsites have fire rings. However, if you’re camping in the backyard or your friend's place out in the country, you need to make one. You can buy fire rings, or you can dig out a hole in the ground and clear out the dead leaves from the area. If they are available, you can put rocks around the fit pit. Don’t build an open fire where it can be seen because some people (including police) don’t really like it. 

If you are at a campsite or in the backyard, you obviously have a restroom nearby. But if you are in the sticks, you need to set one up. I will post later on how to make a latrine, but right now, I will give advice and finding a spot. Make your latrine downhill from your campsite. I have heard a lot of people say how far away it should be from the tents and they all disagreed on how far to go. Just make sure it’s far enough away that you won’t smell it when you’re around the fire. You want to dig a hole about a foot deep if you can. Then you can us sticks, logs, a bucket, what ever you want to use as a toilet. I like to also use orange flagging tape to make where it’s at so it’s easy to find in the dark. 

We have a “leave no trace” policy when hiking which also applies to the latrine. When you are ready to leave camp, you should fill in the hole and put a stick in the ground where it was buried so campers that come there after you will know where your latrine was at. 

When you are at the campsite, you can hang a trash bag on a tree branch. However, when you get ready to sleep, you really need to hang it somewhere higher. In my area, there are raccoons who love trash and bears seem to like it as well. Try to hang it like a bear bag, about 10 feet in a tree if possible. This will save you the trouble of having to pick up all your trash off the ground in the morning. 

If you don’t have a cooler with you or didn’t drive to the campsite, you will want to store your food safely. As a backpacker, I hang it in a bear bag in a tree so the animals don’t get to it. You can do the same thing by putting your food in a medium to small sized bag and hang it about 10 feet in the tree. You can also get bear canisters that seal and keep the smell in and bears out. If you have a cooler, you can just store your food in there without having to worry. Although, if you’re in bear country, make sure it latches so the bear can’t open it and store it away from your camp. If you drove to the campsite, your best bet is to just leave the food in the car. If you keep it in your pack or tent, you have risk of animals and bugs invading you in the night to get the food. 

You should be pretty well set for your first camp. I hope this post has helped and if you have any questions or anything to add, please comment.