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Backpacker Magazine – February 2008

Trip Finder: 2-4 Day Warm-Weather Hikes

Track the sun on these 2-4 day trips in the Southeast, Southwest, and Hawaii

by: Emily Stifler

Na Pali Coast State Park, Matt Leidecker

Photo by Na Pali Coast State Park

1 2

Na Pali Coast State Park, Matt Leidecker

Photo by Big Bend National Park

1 2

Big Bend National Park, Willard Clay

	2 Days	3 Days	4 Days
HAWAII	Volcanoes National Park It's all downhill (6.5 miles) from the hardened lava flows at the Pu'u Loa Petroglyph trailhead to the Apua Point campsite on a black-sand beach on this 13-mile Puna Kau Trail out-and-back. Lounge under a coconut tree, watch Mt. Kilauea burp steam, and explore more than 23,000 petroglyphs dating back to the 1200s. nps.gov/havo	Kohala Forest Preserve Stand in the cool spray of 1,450-foot Hiilawe Falls, near the Big Island's Muliwai trailhead, and you'll understand why Hawaiian kings built their temples in the Waipio Valley. This 19-mile out-and-back climbs from the valley floor to cliffs above the island's northeast shore, then drops into the neighboring Waimanu Valley. Spend two nights exploring ancient stone temples before your walk out. hawaiitrails.org	Na Pali Coast State Park The Kalalau Trail climbs 11 miles through five lush valleys en route to Kalalau Beach's remote cliff-protected campsites. Spend your first night in Hanakoa Valley (mile 6) and stroll to 1,400-foot Hanakoa Falls. Hike 5 miles on day 2 to Kalalau, an idyllic arc of white sand and crashing waves. On the way out, camp at Hanakapiai (mile 9). kalalautrail.com
SOUTHWEST	Cochise Trail, AZ Apache leader Cochise and his followers hid among the granite formations here, eluding the U.S. Army for a full decade. Surely you can disappear into his namesake wilderness for a couple days. This 9-mile point-to-point climbs 1,100 feet over Cochise Saddle; then drops into the remote western part of the park. Camp among the rocks, where scrambling routes and sunsets are equally impressive. Carry a gallon of water per day. cochisestronghold.com	Big Bend NP, TX Winter's cool temps make this a great time to hike the 33-mile Outer Mountain Loop. Climb 2,000 feet along limestone uplifts rising out of the Chisos Basin. Cruise through breezy woodlands of piã±on and oak, and drop onto desert terrain reminiscent of Bryce Canyon as you link the Pinnacles, Boot Canyon, Juniper Canyon, Dodson, and Blue Creek Trails. You're not likely to see anyone, which means designated campsites are yours for the taking. nps.gov/bibe	Joshua Tree NP, CA Wander 36 miles on the California Riding-Hiking Trail through the granite domes from Black Rock Campground to the park's north entrance. Camp where you please as you thread between boulders to overlooks of the Coxcomb Mountains and the far distant Salton Sea. Cache water at the Covington and Geology trailheads before you head in. nps.gov/jotr
SOUTHEAST	Conecuh NF, Alabama Most winter hikers traverse the hills of northern Alabama, but the subtropical Conecuh Trail near the Florida border has the most pleasant hiking. For this 13.5-mile trip, park at the Open Pond Recreation Area (16 miles south of Andaluscia). Scope the banks for alligators, and then follow the North Loop through forests of dogwood, magnolia, and pine. Meander past bogs of carnivorous pitcher plants and cypress ponds before camping at Nellie Ponds, a primitive site at mile 6. Watch for the red-cockaded woodpecker, and consider a dip in the icy waters of Blue Spring on the loop back. alabamatrail.org	Florida Trail, FL Walk through the oak and sawgrass prairie of the Big Scrub Wilderness, listening for the "cheek-cheek-cheek" of the threatened Florida scrub jay. Camping is unrestricted on this 30-mile point-to-point, which winds through longleaf pine-and-wiregrass woodland. Sites at Farles Lake (mile 8) and Hidden Pond (mile 22) provide water for filtering and swimming (but be on gator alert). florida-trail.org	Cumberland Island, GA Georgia's largest barrier island boasts 50 miles of trails through maritime forests and white-sand beaches. The loneliest section weaves through live oak and Spanish moss on the island's north end. Link the Parallel, Tar Kiln, Roller Coaster, and Bunkley Trails with a short section of road walking for a 35-mile trek, and watch for shore birds, dolphins, manatees, and wild horses along the way. nps.gov/cuis

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READERS COMMENTS

mark...just don't bother them or go to the edge of the water where you think they might be. i've seen many gators hiking in florida, and they don't bother me.
Posted: Dec 02, 2011 mike

Caprock Canyons State Park Trailway and Palo Duro Canyon tend to be warmer than Colorado or Utah. There is also a national park called Big Bend on the Rio Grand river next to Mexico.
Posted: Dec 01, 2011 Donald N Wright

And how do you stay safe from gators?
Posted: Dec 01, 2011 Mark

Quick bit of info about the Florida Trail trip described (great hike, btw): The trip does indeed traverse the Big Scrub, but the correct name of the wilderness area is Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Farles Lake/Prairie is outside the wilderness area. Camping is always unrestricted within the wilderness area itself, but during hunting season in the sections outside the wilderness area camping is restricted to developed campsites. I love this section of the world, I've done several day hikes and overnights there.
Posted: Jul 01, 2011 Brickman Way