10 Most Amazing "Common Man's Hikes" in America

[ucfgrad1]

Hello all,

First time poster here, really had one question I was wondering about. I enjoy terrain hiking and the view/thrill it gives when you reach the top, however I am somewhat new to it and therefore also somewhat unaware. I suppose what I was wondering was this: What are some of the most amazing hikes you can take scenery wise (distance not being a factor), but level of climbing/safety risk definitely being a factor? I'm in great shape, and so tiring isn't too much of an issue, but I'm not a climber, the idea of it scares me, and I also wouldn't want to do a trail that could be considered overly slippery or could send you plundering over an edge. Some of the best hikes I've completed (which isn't a great list) include:

Stone Mountain (Atlanta) https://www.google.com/search?q=piestewa+peak+phoenix&biw=3200&bih=1598&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5SH-VMiND4yQyASU74CwBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=0.5#tbm=isch&q=stone+mountain+atlnata&imgdii=_&imgrc=MpN1Y3PBbWhYWM%253A%3BPMBtXl9evAazxM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fc1.staticflickr.com%252F7%252F6006%252F6198673633_4cd99a53bf.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.flickr.com%252Fphotos%252Fdsamsky%252F6198673633%252F%3B500%3B333

Piestewa Peak (Phoenix) https://www.google.com/search?q=piestewa+peak+phoenix&biw=3200&bih=1598&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5SH-VMiND4yQyASU74CwBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=0.5#imgdii=_&imgrc=t89SHbsFlKbLcM%253A%3Bj3t5BB0Q24sx5M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftucsoncitizen.com%252Fmorgue%252Ffiles%252F2008%252F04%252Fl81933-2.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftucsoncitizen.com%252Fss%252Flocal%252F81933.php%3B640%3B313

Chapin Forest (Cleveland) https://www.google.com/search?q=piestewa+peak+phoenix&biw=3200&bih=1598&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5SH-VMiND4yQyASU74CwBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=0.5#tbm=isch&q=chapin+forest+cleveland&imgdii=_&imgrc=0GQMa0dFs-QprM%253A%3BJSTZC9LC2Xr2lM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-E9jUWyP7qL4%252FTdKhzFXL5hI%252FAAAAAAAANvY%252F2mEg867TWBU%252Fs1600%252Fskyline%25252B1885%25252Badj.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdavesnaps.blogspot.com%252F2011%252F05%252F21-april-2011-cleveland-skyline-from.html%3B800%3B440

Griffifth Park (Los Angeles) https://www.google.com/search?q=piestewa+peak+phoenix&biw=3200&bih=1598&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5SH-VMiND4yQyASU74CwBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=0.5#tbm=isch&q=griffifth+park+los+angeles&imgdii=_&imgrc=5NAU7z3SmgNW7M%253A%3Bg8cecoFlIJU9RM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdiytravelforless.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F09%252FLAGriffithObservatory.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdiytravelforless.com%252Fone-day-in-los-angeles%252F%3B900%3B597

Of course, I'm certain many of these pale in comparison to some of the truly great hikes out there on this continent. Only problem, like mentioned, I'm not a climber, and so anything much more edgy than Piestewa in that regard is more than I can handle (however I'm willing to hike all day).

That being said, which places offer doable hikes that feel natural (can't necessarily be accessed by car), are challenging and take a long time to get up, but yet are safe and offer an awesome view? I'm thinking of truly "epic" places (ie, Grand Canyon, Half Dome at Yosemite, Mount Mitchell, Mount Hood, etc. type wondrous places. Does anyone have a list of 10 or so for the guy that doesn't own, or doesn't plan to own climbing gear?

I'm on the Eastern Seaboard (in Florida, which is nonexistent mountain hiking), so if there are good picks that are somewhat close that'd be good. I'm also (as you can tell from the pictures) a fan of "Urban Hikes", where you can walk up to a certain point and gaze out over the skyline. Any others like that in the east (or any particularly spectacular ones anywhere else?)

Thanks! And I know I mentioned this, but figured it was worth mentioning again 5-10 mile+ distance isn't a concern.

Edited March 9, 2015 by ucfgrad1

[PaulMags]

So many places..

Colorado has a lot of off-trail,but non-technical,hikes. East coast? Not as familiar esp down south.

The Grayson Highlands is soething you should check out. Not far fro the TN/VA line. Above tree-line like feel, feral horses and beautiful in the spring!

[ucfgrad1]

I'll narrow it down then :cool:

What are the 3-5 most amazing, non technical hikes you've taken in Colorado (or in general, East Coast, West Coast, etc.).

Have you done Piestewa? I enjoyed that hike, but did find it a bit jagged in some places, but not terrible though. I could handle a little worse than that if it meant an amazing view, but nothing where I felt like I was going to fall off or something. Does Red Rocks Park provide a phenomenal view of the Denver Skyline?

Thanks for the Grayson Highlands recommendation! My buddy lives in Lynchburg (looks to be about 2 hours from there). I may have to visit to see him/do some of those!

[PaulMags]

Here's some to get you started

http://www.backpackingengineer.com/10-hikes-recommended-pmags/

[ucfgrad1]

Great post! You really seem to know your stuff. All of those look very impressive. The one near Denver which is at 12,400' looks especially enticing, since often when I get to travel is for conferences, and I believe I may have one coming my way there next year. However I happened to read this quote

"The terrain is non-technical and on-trail for most of the way."

How bad is it in the sections where it isn't? Would all of those be doable for me without climbing gear, and without me fearing that "I am going to fall!! I think it is generally worse for me going downhill. Uphill is fine since I'm pushing up, but I get nervous walking down because I feel like "I am going to start sliding" and so certain sections going down Piestewa, which I know isn't even that steep (at least I don't think it is), I am embarrassed to admit I almost got down on all fours and crabwalked certain setions in order to prevent losing control. Would you say most of these are doable even for someone like me?

Thank you for your thoughts!

Looking forward to hearing some thoughts from East Coasters also!

[PaulMags]

These are all non-technical hikes. No climbing equipment needed or even hard scrambling. The Bison Peak one is a walk up..barely Class 2. A very lovely hike. The red rocks in that section are esp. nice.

[ucfgrad1]

These are all non-technical hikes. No climbing equipment needed or even hard scrambling. The Bison Peak one is a walk up..barely Class 2. A very lovely hike. The red rocks in that section are esp. nice.

That is awesome! Well whenever I am out west next, this will be a good place to start. Sounds like I have Colorado pretty well covered in this regard. Looking forward to hearing some East Coast responses as well as California and the rest of the west coast. Want to know what some of my best options are in experiencing nature!

[Opi]

When first started Backpacking I had some of the same fears about going to the mountains. Come to realize there are a lot of awesome mountains and trails I can hike in which I don't need rope or worry about climbing up a cliff. As long as your in half way decent shape there a literally a gazzilion cool places to go to across this awesome country. Keep searching sites like this and you'll get never ending information.

[kwhowell]

I will definitely recommend the Bison Peak hike in Lost Creek Wilderness that Paul suggested. I emailed Paul asking for suggestions last September after stumbling onto his blog (funny "meeting" again here). I can say that it didn't disappoint, at all. Some steep climbs, but nothing that wasn't walk-able and the views were amazing and well worth it! Thanks Paul! (Trails Illustrated 105)

Out East, West Virginia is awesome for hiking! I used to do an overnight on the AT right at the Virginia and West Virginia boarder that had an amazing campground perched ontop of an awesome cliff face. (the picture is the overlook, but not actually where I set up camp-it was for cinematic value) There was also a small spring about a mile away that I may have chilled a can of beer or two in.

Mount Mitchell is a great hike but honestly there are many better places to see in Appalachian country. That's one of those hikes you do just to say you did.

A similar length trip as the Lost Creek Wilderness out East is a 33 mile AT hike. From the Interstate 40 crossing you pretty much follow the North Carolina, Tennessee boarder into Hot Springs. (Trails Illustrated 782)

Edited March 10, 2015 by kwhowell

[toejam]

Most of Colorado's 50-something 14ers are common man hikes. I climbed a bunch of them as a Texian, which are quite common in CO. Some of the sweeter, easier ones were Handies, Yale, Shavano, Huron. A game regular guy can even climb North Maroon and Crestone Needle and feel like he's really done something.