Inn-to-Inn Hiking in the USA
(and Europe)What we mean by this way of hiking is that you carry only your clothing, personal items, and perhaps lunch, and eat other meals and spend the night at Inns along the way. You don't have to carry food, tent, sleeping, or cooking equipment, which makes your pack very light. This kind of travel for Elderhikers requires that Inns be only about 6 to 12 miles apart, with attractive trail between them. Hiking Inn-to-Inn for several days, or even several weeks, is very popular in Europe. Our 2001 trip to England is described at the link below. Other trips in France and Luxembourg are described in the Elderhiker Handbook. We have taken USA inn-to-inn hikes in California, Oregon, and Vermont, and have found information on hikes in Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, Virginia, and a few other locations. There must be many more, but we recognize that most towns are not set up for walkers, and are too far apart for hiking between. The long distance trails generally do not go from town to town, but are located up in the mountains. As such, the trails, like the Appalachian, or the Pacific Crest, or the John Muir, are set up for backpackers. Access roads or trails to towns with hotels or inns are infrequent. To compensate for this, some outfitters have arranged car shuttles from inn to trailhead, and car to trailend, so one can drive to the next inn after completing the hike for the day. Our trip in Vermont exemplifies this kind of arrangement.
We describe trips we have taken in the description links below. Other possibilities are described briefly, along with where to get more information, on this page. If you have taken an inn-to-inn hike please e-mail us. We will be glad to publish the description here, and credit you with the contribution. E-mail us at: submit
Trip Descriptions:
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USA Trips |
European Trips |
California
Yosemite National Park
One great trip we have done several times in California is in Yosemite National Park. This park has a loop of five high country camps that you can hike to, stay in tent cabins at each camp in turn, and get all meals provided. It is also possible to only do a portion of the loop. We would recommend that you attempt this loop or a segment only if you are in quite good physical condition. The elevations are up to 11,000 ft, and the distances are up to 10 miles between camps. However, if you are up to it, it is a beautiful hike, with outstanding scenery. This trip is popular, so reservations are only available by lottery. One can sign up for the lottery for a year starting on September 13th of the previous year. After early May, you might be able to take advantage of a cancellation, (we did this in August 2001, see below). You can improve your chances by being flexible on your own timing. The concessionaire High Sierra Camps phone number is 559-253-5674. The camps are: Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang.
The map below shows the camps and the trails. Distances between camps are about 10 miles, or less.
Most hikers stay at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge or White Wolf Lodge for a night and then hike a loop trip. Besides doing all five camps, popular shorter loops are:
In August 2001 I was able to take advantage of cancellations and set up loop trip #1. Here's how I did it: In mid July, a few days more than a month before we could go, I went on the Internet and brought up www.yosemitepark.com . I found the High Sierra Camps page, and spaced down until I got to the section that lists available dates at the camps. When I did this, consecutive dates in August were available at Glen Aulin, May Lake and Sunrise camps. I immediately called 559-253-5674, and left my name, number, address, and requested the dates. This was on a Thursday. On the following Monday, I got a call that we had our reservations! Then I called the regular reservations desk at 559-252-4848 and got reservations at White Wolf Lodge for the night before the trip and Curry Village for the night after, (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge was full both days). We had a wonderful trip, with perfect weather. For a complete description of the trip use the link: Yosemite High Sierra Camps Trip August 2001
San Francisco Bay Area
A trip in the San Francisco Bay Area has been put together by Footnotes Tours. This deluxe trip starts in San Francisco. Hikers then go across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, then over the ridges to Muir Beach, along the coast to Stinson Beach, back over Mount Tamalpais to Tiburon,(partly by shuttle bus), and then a ferry ride back to San Francisco for dinner, with another night at a B&B. Accomodations are in deluxe B&Bs or fine boutique hotels in San Francisco, Sausalito, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach and Tiburon. All breakfasts, lunches and three dinners are included. The trips were started in July and August of 2000. Price tag we have is $1850/person. The trip involves climbing stairways and hilly terrain, and hiking 8 to 12 miles per day. You should be in excellent physical condition for this trip.
Escape San Francisco Tours offers a wide variety of activities around the Bay Area. In the hiking department, they offer many day hikes in the area, and a multi-day trip to Yosemite. Check out their web site at: http://www.escapesftours.com/
Short Get-aways - San Francisco and Vicinity
Suitable for a night at each end of a 7 to 10 mile stretch. Stay a night, hike to the trail end, stay there for a night, and then hike back the next day. Easily can be fit into a weekend. These are do-it-yourself trips.
Colorado
In Colorado, there are some inn to inn trip possibilities leaving from Boulder. The Tenth Mountain Trail runs for more than 300 miles down the Rocky Mountians. A Tenth Mountain Trail Association has constructed 12 huts along the route, some of which are close enough together to make an inn-to-inn hike possible. Reservations are accepted starting January 1, by the Association, (303-925-5775). The huts are popular, so you do need to make reservations in advance. The huts do not serve food, so you do have to provide and cook your own, unless you take a tour with a local outfitter. Contact "The World Outdoors" to get information about their hiking and biking trips along the trail, (see Outdoor Related Links).
Montana
In Montana's Glacier National Park there is a hike run by American Wilderness Experience, (see Outdoor Related Links). This company also runs inn to inn trips in Colorado, New Hampshire, and in Alberta, Canada.
New Hampshire
The Appalachian Mountain Club maintains a hut system, (8 backcountry lodges), in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They are spaced a days hike apart and provide family-style dinner and breakfast for hikers, (bring your own lunches). They also provide a bunk for sleeping, but you need your own sleeping bag. If you are interested, you need to get the guide book: "High Huts of the White Mountains", which is available for only $12 by calling 1-800-262-4455. They have a web site named outdoors.org, and an e-mail address: lodging@amcinfo.org For reservations by phone, the number is 603-466-2727.
Oregon
There are seven inns along the Rogue River in southern Oregon.
Trips start at the Grave Creek Bridge on Galice Road, which is 27 miles north of Grants Pass. The nearest town to the trailhead is Merlin. From trailhead the trail then winds along the north side of the river for forty miles, ending at Foster Bar, which is 35 miles from Gold Beach on the Pacific Ocean. The lodges on the river and their distances from lodge to lodge are as shown on the diagram to the right.
Black Bar Lodge, and possibly Wild River lodge, which are on the south side of the river, are accessible to hikers with prior arrangement. As you can tell from the diagram, the mileage between lodges ranges from about 4 miles to about 15 miles. Organizations that run lodge to lodge hiking trips along the river are Rogue Wilderness, Inc., White Water Warehouse, and perhaps the Sierra Club, (see links in Outdoor Related Links).
We took this trip in late May 2000. For a complete description, see Rogue River Trip . See also another similar trip description in the Contributed Section.
Vermont
In Vermont, there is an inn to inn hike possible using three inns in the Moosalamoo Recreation Area, and up to eight inns along what is called the Long Trail, which goes north and south almost the whole length of the state. Contact "Country Inns along the Trail" (see Outdoor Related Links). Also "Country Walkers", advertises itineraries in the Green Mountain National Forest, in the Mad/White River area, and in the Champlain Valley. There are numerous inns near long distance trails in Vermont, but most require automobile shuttles from the inn to the trail. The inn owners assist hikers in these shuttles, so you only need one vehicle. Without a shuttle, distances are sometimes greater than our 6 to 12 miles, so it is not always practical for Elderhikers to hike directly from one inn to another. With the shuttles, the distances can be tailored to your capabilities. Contact the above organizations for information on the many trips they run that would be suitable for elderhikers.
We took a delightful inn-to-inn hike in June 2002 using "Country Inns along the Trail" Read the writeup in the link:
Virginia
The Sierra Club National Outings is running an Inn-to-Inn trip in Shenandoah National Park. The format is similar to the Vermont trip in that van shuttles are used to get hikers to the trail segments and/or to lodges. The trip for 2003 uses three lodges, so you don't move every day. Day hikes are planned for the non-moving days. For information, go to the Sierra Club web site , (see Outdoor related links).
Day Hikes from Inns
Except for these few areas, the format for the do-it-yourselfer really has to be day hiking from your chosen inn. Fortunately, there are hundreds of inns in national parks and national forests all over the country where you can stay and take day hikes. All you have to do is make a reservation and show up. Your local travel agent can help you with the reservations, and any other services you may need.
Contributed Section: (your suggestion could show up here!).
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Vermont Elderhostel Trip - 2003(by Pat & Art)
Since your account of hiking "inn-to-inn" in Vermont was the inspiration for our signing up for this Elderhostel program, I thought I would tell you a little about it. Unfortunately, neither Pat nor I kept a journal; I will just have to give you some scattered thoughts.
The program is called "Hiking the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail." It was put on for Elderhostel by Silver Sneaker Excursions, a mom-and-pop organization consisting of Linda Cooper and husband Dick Yeaw. They do this sort of thing most of the year. Linda is in her 60s, I guess, very capable and well organized; Dick is in his 70s and showing it, but he's good at helping Linda.
As usual in Elderhostel programs, we enjoyed the people. Not a bad one among them.
We stayed 2 nights at Crisanver House, near Shrewsbury, just south and a little east of Rutland; then 1 night at Churchill House, near Brandon; then 2 nights at Waitsfield Inn, Waitsfield. Crisanver was just as I had imagined--nicely kept up, just loaded with "stuff", not a square foot of floor space unoccupied by furniture or rugs; not a square inch of shelf, counter-top, desk-top, or table-top unoccupied by bric-a-brac. Churchill was simpler, originally a farm house, very comfortable. At Waitsfield, the main lounge/common room had been a stable and carriage house originally. All were nice, interesting, and the food was great at all of them.
There was no feeling at all of hiking inn to inn. We just stayed at 3 places and took various hikes during the days, sometimes starting from and returning to the inn, mostly not. This was not a big disappointment.
We gathered at Crisanver late Sunday afternoon. On Monday we walked on country roads in the area and a portion of the Appalachian Trail. On Tuesday, it POURED, and so we visited a cheese factory, a maple syrup museum, and other neighborhood attractions, and then drove to Churchill. The weather cleared briefly in late afternoon, and we had an unorganized 1-hour walk before dinner. On Wednesday, we walked portions of the Chittendon Brook and Long Trails. On Thursday, we climbed Mount Abraham, elevation just over 4000 ft, starting from Lincoln Gap. On Friday morning we had a nature walk at Mad River Glen, and that was it. Other than on Tuesday, the weather cooperated. The Fall colors were pretty.
Evening programs featured the Crown Point Road, which was constructed by order of (British) General Amherst, from the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain, to facilitate fighting the French and Indian Wars; trail construction and maintenance; the Green Mountain Club; and a very moving account by a man who walked the Long Trail as part of the years-long process of recovery from severe head injuries. (The real hero of this piece is his wife.)
A notable difference between the hiking trails we're used to in the western United States and the ones in New England: the latter were constructed mostly by volunteer labor to be used by hikers only, not pack animals. Consequently, they are often narrow, steep, rocky, full of exposed roots, and with low-hanging branches. Lots of fun.
I think that our curiosity about hiking the Appalachian and Long Trails is now satisfied. But they have excellent cross-country skiing in the areas we visited. We might go back for that.
Regards, Pat and Art.
Appalachian Trail Hike May 2003 (by Adrienne & Rick)
We hiked this in May 2003 with our 4-month old son and our gear in back packs.
Thursday May 22, 2003
Reservation at DAYS INN - SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 540-743-4521
Friday May 23, 2003
After breakfast, a friend drove us to our starting point at South River Overlook (mi. 63 on Skyline Drive) - if cold and raining hard, possibly start at closer point. (trail highlight -hike to South River Falls, 2.5 miles round trip)
After dropping us off, our friend dropped off a cooler with our dinner and breakfast for that night and the next morning at Lewis Mountain Store.
Friday night - sleep in a cabin at Lewis Mt. Campground (mile 57.5) - 800-999-4714/540- 999-2255
This day's hike can be extended from 6.3 to 9 miles by hiking via Powell Gap (elev. 1916).
Saturday May 24, 2003
hike to and stay at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51.2) 540-999-2221 / 800-365-2267 - offers a lodge, motel rooms, furnished cabins, and a restaurant.
Sunday May 25, 2003
Trail highlight - Crescent Rock (mile 44.4) provides a narrow view of the settlement of Ida, exposed basalt cliffs, talus slopes, and several summits.
Sunday - Skyland Resort (mile 41.7) 800-999-4714 or 540-743-5108
restaurant open 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Monday May 26, 2003 - Need to start as early as possible on this day.
Trail highlight - Thoroughfare Mountain Overlook (mile 40.5), at approximately 3600-feet this overlook is one of the highest, offering views of Old Rag Mt.
Trail highlight - Stony Man Overlook (mile 38.6) with panoramas of cliffs and surrounding valley.
Trail highlight - Pinnacles Overlook (mile 36.7) with an impressive view of Hannah Run.
Cross Skyline Drive (mile 33.9) - possible to be picked up early at this point
There is a Ranger Station at Park Headquarters, on highway 211, 4 miles before the Thornton Gap Park Entrance. A friend should pick the hikers up there near the intersection of US 211 and Skyline Drive.
(Panorama gift shop (restaurant no longer open) (mile 31.5) 540-999-2265 at Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) 1425 feet climbing and 2842 feet descending http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_park/va/drv_she3.htm)
Dinner at Brookside Restaurant on route 211 at the foot of the mountain in Luray, Virginia (open until 8:30 pm)
Stay at DAYS INN - SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 540-743-4521 and then drive home.
Hiking Oregon's Rogue River Trail
If there is such a thing as magic, it is surely found on southern Oregon's spectacular Rogue River hiking trail. Hikers from all over the world come to experience this protected trail, and yet you will rarely see another hiking group on the trail. True magic. This moderately difficult trail hike is unique because over the course of the four-day experience, you stay each night in riverside wilderness lodges. Rooms are double occupancy; with hot showers and real beds. Superb family style dining is the hallmark of each of the lodges. Contracting through a designated Rogue River outfitter offers an alternative view of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon; guided trekking on the Rogue River trail. You get the best of both worlds; trekking through one of the nation's finest river canyons and the comfort of wilderness lodges each night. The outfitter will also pack your heavy gear in a river raft and will provide a wonderful riverside lunch each day. All you need to trail pack during the day is your daypack, camera, and water bottle. The Rogue Canyon trail offers an excellent scenic experience as the trail meanders through "enchanted forests," open meadows of wildflowers, and dramatic viewpoints along rocky crags. Black bear, osprey, bald eagle, and deer are to be seen throughout the canyon. The Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue was one of the first river canyons brought under protection of the national wild and scenic rivers act. So, today, there are limits on the numbers of guests who can travel through the canyon each day, thus protecting this Oregon natural treasure.
The trail is well maintained and in good condition during the spring and early summer months. Elevation of the trail is below 1,000 feet. Grades are generally mild. On the first and last day of the 4-day hike you will find steeper areas with a number of switchbacks. During the middle of the hike, much of the trail is level or nearly level. A small portion of the trail is cut into rock cliffs with exposed drop-offs. The trail follows the river, sometimes near the river, other times higher up. The average distance covered each day is 10 miles; varying from 5 10 miles. The distance is a moderate walk for person in good physical condition, provides reasonable time during the day for viewing the surroundings, photographing the incredible scenery, and enjoying a leisurely riverside lunch. Daily mileage: day one is 9.9 miles; day two is 14.5 miles; day three is 8.4 miles; and day four is 5.2 miles.
The historic hiking trip begins at Grave Creek, the start of the wild and scenic section of the famous Rogue River. Named after the grave of Martha Leland Crowley, daughter of an Oregon Pioneer couple. Martha was buried under an oak tree near the creek head in 1846. The first five miles of the trail are quite rocky, so wear appropriate hiking boots. You will finish the first day at Black Bar Lodge, almost a 10-mile day hike.During this first day you will pass historic homesites, view Rainie Falls (the only Class V rapid on the Rogue), cross numerous mountain creeks, and note other historic sites. Periodically, you will come upon outdoor toilets set up by the BLM for your use.
The second day you will see magnificent views of the river's rapids and note another historical site called "Battle Bar." This site is named because of a fight between Colonel Kelsey's Calvary on the north bank and a band of Takelma Indians on the south bank in the year 1855. Further down the trail, you'll rest and relax at the beautiful Rogue River Ranch. The Rogue River Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors are welcome to stroll the ranch's well-maintained grounds and look inside its museum. Just a little over a mile down the trail from "the Ranch" is Marial Lodge. You'll rest for the evening there and enjoy an over-the-top country-style dinner and breakfast in the morning. The third day gives you more spectacular views of the river, with a famous look at Mule Creek Canyon and the gorgeous Stair Creek Falls. Experience it all on this day with a cool walk through the "enchanted forest," and even try out the Tate Creek slide which is a natural water slide that drops 25 feet into a deep, fresh pool of water. You'll walk about 8.5 miles on this day and end your journey at Clay Hill Lodge, with beautiful views of the Tacoma "still waters."
Your fourth day is short but includes the steepest part of the trail with many switchbacks. Wear long pants to ward off the poison oak that is prevalent along the trail¹s edge. You¹ll reach your takeout point by early afternoon (Foster Bar) and, if you are traveling with a Rogue River outfitter, you will enjoy a 2 1/2 hour scenic drive back to your waiting vehicle at Galice Resort near Merlin.
Tips: If you do not own trail boots it is a good idea to note the following specifications: buy your boots long before the trip. Wear them as much as possible to break them in. Good ankle support is important. A handy trick for insuring foot comfort is carrying a spare set of socks for the day. Clothing should be loose fitting and allow full movement. Cotton-polyester blends are cool and dry fast. Bring shorts and long pants as you see fitŠand a wide brim hat. Rain gear is required.
Author Joy Henkle is the owner of White Water Warehouse. White Water Warehouse offers guided hiking trips on the Rogue River trail during May and early June. The company runs guided rafting/kayaking trips on the Rogue River from June through late September. See the listing in Outdoor Related links.