Location – 4/5
This was our very first overnight backpacking trip ever. We didn’t know what to expect or what we were doing at all but we decided to suck it up and give it a shot. We decided our first foray into backpacking would be just a short ~5 mile each way out and back. Getting to the trailhead was not bad, but just a few long and winding roads. Parking was fine when we got there, but it could fill up fast. The trailhead was a few hundred feet down the road and across the street.
Campground – 4/5
We stayed at the mountain summit, a little bit back from the edge so it wasn’t so windy. There were quite a few people camping but really no one was within immediate view, nor did we hear anyone being too loud. There were a few established fire pits so we chose camp near one of the better ones. The ground was soft so the stakes went in fine and there were plenty of trees if you wanted to hang a hammock, though we stayed in a tent.
Activities – 3/5
Nature
We went in late October and we saw no animals, not one. No birds, no squirrels, no wild boars. We wish there had been a little more wildlife but on the other hand, we’re happy there were no wild boars. The trees in late October were beautiful, combined with the many scenic overlooks along the trail.
Hiking – 4/5
The hike was immediately uphill but leveled out after a little bit. I think most of our issues just came from being unprepared for how strenuous backpacking is. We were definitely tired, but in the end looking back, it wasn’t that bad. The elevation was probably a little higher than we should’ve done our first time, but now we know that this is probably on the higher end of elevation that we care to do in the future.
Amenities 3/5
Marking and Trail Maintenance
The trail was clearly marked and we didn’t really have any issues except in one rocky part, but we were only about 30 feet off course. The trail seemed to be heavily used and maintained. There were a few downed trees in the way, but it seems like they come clear that stuff on a regular basis.
Firewood and Water
The campsites were picked through and we’d have been in better shape had we brought a saw. We really didn’t have much of an issue getting firewood, but we had to go a little further away from camp to find it. Water was pretty scarce. We ended up bringing just enough but we really only saw one water source and it was a stagnant pond.
Overall Rating – 3/5
Overall we give this site 3 out of 5. We think this was a fun backpacking trip and plan to go back, but we also want to check out some other trails.
