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Saturday, September 19, 2009

Hiking Old Logging Roads

Old logging roads are an easy way to get into some of the back country in our National Forests. Daisy and I sort of stumbled across the idea of hiking some of these unused logging roads while out hiking on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains. I have mixed feeling about these old roads they can get you into the back country quickly, but they can look like scars on an otherwise beautiful mountain.

In the winter time these roads would be great for cross-country skiing and show-shoeing. But we've never met anyone on a logging road no matter what time of year. They are closed to any kind of motorized vehicle so we've found them to be quite peaceful. The wildlife seems to love these roads and we've seen lots of deer, elk, grouse, and turkeys. In many of the places we hike it would not be surprising to see bears, mountain lions, and wolves, so bring your bear spray; it works on everything.

Once Daisy and I were following directions from a book on day hikes and got lost. The directions went something like this; turn left on the logging road and follow for 30 yards, or so, until you see the unsigned trail to continue the hike. After the trail crossed over a few logging roads I couldn't tell where we were supposed to leave the road. We ended up walking up and down the road looking for the trail.

I thought getting a GPS would solve all of our logging road problems. Being an old map and compass type guy I was sadly disappointed. I've changed from "I hate this darn thing" to having a love/hate relationship with the GPS. When it works, it's great, when it doesn't I've come close to throwing it into the bushes and walking away. I think for how long the technology has been around I just expected too much. Setting "Waypoints" every time you cross a logging road or leave a trail has become helpful. For the record; logging roads are not on any maps.

You can hike for miles on these old roads so bring plenty of food, water, and snacks. In the summer time we've found hiking these roads to be hot work even though the roads are not steep. There may, or may not, be a lot of tree cover depending on how old the road. We've been on roads that have 15 foot trees growing in the middle of them and others that barely had grass growing on them. When it's hot I've always had to keep a close eye on Daisy because she overheats quickly with her thick black fur. But to be honest, I don't do well in the heat either and welcome any shady spot for a rest.

Once you've been hiking on some of these old roads for awhile you'll quickly realize, they can all look the same. Once when we were heading back to our Toyota Tundra after a long hike we came to a fork in the road. Daisy wanted to take the left fork but I was sure we should be heading to the right. After hiking down the right fork for a half mile it became obvious that Daisy was right. We then had to hike the half mile back to the fork in the road. As I followed Daisy back to the car I was wondering, who needs a GPS.

"I'm telling you Doug, forget the GPS, it's this way!"
Until Next Time,
Doug

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