Backcountry Secrets Latest Points

Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast - Idaho

18 Jan 2012

Submitted by: cbd on 18 Jan 2012

Directions:
Go 3.3 miles east of Clark Fork, turn left at "Bear Hill" Road. Go 1.7 miles NE. http://huckleberrytentandbreakfast.com/

Camping
Fully furnished canvas tent cabins.

Canoeing
14 acre pond with mountain and wildlife views.

Hiking & Backpacking
Level with some hills. Old logging roads.

Horseback
Gravel or dirt. Level with some hills. Old logging roads.

Mountain Biking
Gravel or dirt. Level with some hills. Old logging roads.

Snowshoeing
Gravel or dirt. Level with some hills. Old logging roads.

Yurt Camping
Canvas Tent Cabins have wide plank floors, feather beds, all linens provided, fully equipped camp kitchen, outhouse, outdoor shower, fire pit.

Swinging Bridge Beach - Idaho

3 Sep 2011

Submitted by: savingember on 3 Sep 2011

Directions:
Take HWY 55 past the Banks/Lowman road, until the river is on your right. You will start to see signs for Swinging Bridge campground, Cold Springs campground, and Canyon campground. Once you get past those campgrounds, be on the lookout for a pullout on the right hand side of the road. The swinging bridge will come into view prior to the pullout. Cross the bridge and walk north along the tracks until you see a sandy beach and a large flat rock that creates a nice little inlet.

Hiking & Backpacking
No trails that I know of, but walking down the railroad tracks lends for some great scenery. Also there are a few spots with rock outcroppings that are fun to scramble. Every now and again you'll get a train or a railroad truck coming down, but it's easy to get away from the tracks for safety.

Swimming Holes
Large, flat rocks create a calm inlet in the river, perfect for swimming. It's right off the hwy, so not very secluded, and every now and again you'll get trains going by, but all in all a very nice spot. The flat rock is perfect for laying out a blanket, also it's quite sandy there, with a nice "beach" effect. The water is calm enough to swim, but, depending on water level, can get over 5'feet, but still calm. The river's current naturally flows into the swimming hole, so it's still moving and clean.

Marion Co. Fish & Game - Indiana

13 Aug 2011

Submitted by: kylep on 13 Aug 2011

Directions:
From 456 take the crawfordsville rd exit, park at the waterfront cross 136. 2 trail heads are located in the tree lines across the street less than 100 ft from the stop light.

Camping
take the trail head closest to the interstate. follow the trail taking a left then a right, take a right at the fallen tree that you go under, go down the hill, ground starts to become sandy here follow until you see a break through the trees, this is the river's flood plain through the woods, good back country up river. come out of the tree line, hit up the sand bar, cross the river go down the other side east until you find a primitive camp site on top of the dirt drop off. 4-5 ft climb, easy hike 600ft from trail head. Alternate routes through game trails. watch out for the poison ivy. The best campfire wood is going to be located on the North Side of the river, or after the break in the treeline on the south end (100+ ft) Lots of rotting wood so check before you start hauling a ton.

Hiking & Backpacking
Trails are ok if there isnt anywhere else to go. dense primary growth but the trails are well established through a small tract of old growth. Some edibles throughout. IMPORTANT! Marion Co. Fish and Game shoot skeet on Thrusday nights!!!!! listen for the shotgun blast, then for the bird shot. Trails can be navigated while they are shooting but is ill advised for recreation. If your going to the campsite then just hide behind a tree or wait for reloading.

Mountain Biking
Not bad for mtn bikes, people ride quads through there so its mainly dual single track to just really wide single track. slightly bermed out turns at some places, some roots, not technical at all. grade ranges from dirt to rail road rock. very small hills.

Swimming Holes
Swim in the river.

Bountiful to Farmington ATV Trail - Utah

15 Jul 2011

Submitted by: cgerdes97 on 15 Jul 2011

Directions:
From Interstate 15, take 400 North exit eastbound. Make a left on 1300 East. Follow the road through the neighborhood then make a right on North Eagle Ridge Drive. The parking lot will be on the left.

ATV/Motorcycle
Open May through October, the 21-mile Bountiful Peak Farmington Canyon Scenic Loop from 100 North in Farmington to 400 North 1300 East in Bountiful, offers alpine scenery and what residents consider the most spectacular view possible of the Great Salt Lake.

Hardware Ranch - Blacksmith Canyon - Utah

15 Jul 2011

Submitted by: cgerdes97 on 15 Jul 2011

Directions:
Approximately 15 miles east of Hyrum, Utah on highway 101.

Camping
Primitive camping spots are available during the year. No restroom or garbage facilities are offered. Fishing on the Blacksmith Fork River, Curtis Creek and Rock Creek provides miles of access to excellent fishing. All waters on the management area are open to fishing year round with appropriate licenses.

Snowmobiling
Hardware Ranch is owned and operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hardware Ranch is a wintering ground for one of Utah's premier elk herds. Visitors to Hardware Ranch find a warm visitor center with interpretive displays, heated restrooms, and restaurant. Sleigh rides provide an up close look at the elk, which annually migrate to the ranch. Since this is a critical wintering area for elk, snowmobilers are cautioned to stay on the designated trails.

Berwagana Campground - Michigan

14 Jun 2011

Submitted by: nphaskell on 14 Jun 2011

Directions:
From Lansing: Take I-496 E Take exit 8 to merge onto US-127 N toward Flint Take exit 82A to merge onto I-69 E toward Flint Take exit 133 to merge onto I-75 N/US-23 N toward Saginaw Take exit 136 for M-54/M-83 toward Frankenmuth/Birch Run Turn right onto M-54 S/M-83 N/Birch Run Rd Turn left onto M-83 N/Gera Rd Continue to follow M-83 N Turn right onto M-46 E/Holland Rd Continue to follow M-46 E Destination will be on the right

Camping
Berwagana Campground is a friendly campground with many seasonal and permanent residents as well as daily sites. The daily sites are somewhat smaller than at most campgrounds and there may be issues with putting out awnings if the campground is busy and you have someone in the site next to you. There are many activities especially for kids including a large playground, basketball courts, a pond, miniature golf, and more. There are showerhouse and laundry facilities as well as a small store. The campground is near attractions like Frankenmuth and the Factory Outlet Mall.

The S.C.I.T Campground (The Hill Campground) - Michigan

14 Jun 2011

Submitted by: nphaskell on 14 Jun 2011

Directions:
From Lansing: Take I-496 E Take exit 8 to merge onto US-127 N toward Flint Take exit 135 for Blanchard Rd toward Shepherd Turn left onto E Blanchard Rd Continue onto E Wright Ave Turn right onto N Chippewa St Continue onto S Shepherd Rd Turn left onto E Broomfield Rd Turn right onto S Leaton Rd Take the 1st right onto Reserve Rd/E Tomah Rd Destination will be on the left

Camping
The S.C.I.T Campground is known to the locals as the Hill Campground. This is owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and is a very basic campground that has 45 sites. There are a good amount of sites that are shaded and each one has fire rings. The amenities include a pool, shower houses, and camp store. This campground is one of the lowest priced in the area at $15-$18 per night depending on what type of electrical service is needed. There are also free daily shuttles to the local casino also owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Mammoth/Gardiner Back Road - Wyoming

1 Jun 2011

Submitted by: po-tat-o on 1 Jun 2011

Directions:
This road can be hiked, biked or driven. If you are hiking or biking the road then you can access it from Gardiner, the road sets right behind the entrance station. If you are going to drive it then you will find the entrance along the hill behind the Mammoth hotel, you can also bike and hike from this point.

Hiking & Backpacking
This is a nice out of the way road that is actually the old stage coach road that connected Mammoth and Gardiner. This trip either direction is 4 miles long, either directions you are going to start out with an incline. If you start from Mammoth it is going to be a steeper climb to start with, where as if you come from Gardiner it is going to be a more gradual climb over a longer distance. As you go across the top of this road you will have a great view of the river below and you can also see a pond that is not visible anywhere else. Wildlife also frequents this road so be careful and give them the right of way. If you decide to, at the Mammoth end of this road you can connect to the Beaver Ponds Trail. There is restroom facilities on both ends of this road although if you come out at Gardiner you may have another 1/4 mile to get to them.

Mountain Biking
This is a nice out of the way road that is actually the old stage coach road that connected Mammoth and Gardiner. This trip either direction is 4 miles long, going both directions you are going to start out with an incline. If you start from Mammoth it is going to be a steeper climb to start with, where as if you come from Gardiner it is going to be a more gradual climb over a longer distance. As you go across the top of this road you will have a great view of the river below and you can also see a pond that is not visible anywhere else. Wildlife also frequents this road so be careful and give them the right of way. If you decide to, at the Mammoth end of this road you can connect to the Beaver Ponds Trail. This is probably not a good family bike ride unless everyone is a little older and enjoys bike riding the road is rough in a few places and the inclines might be a little difficult. There is restroom facilities on both ends of this road although if you come out at Gardiner you may have another 1/4 mile to get to them.

Pheasant Run Loop Portage Lakes State Park - Ohio

31 May 2011

Submitted by: nphaskell on 31 May 2011

Directions:
From Columbus: Take I-71 N towards CLEVELAND. Merge onto I-76 E/US-224 E via EXIT 209A. Take the STATE ST exit, EXIT 17A. Turn RIGHT onto W STATE ST. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 5TH ST NE/OH-619. Continue to follow OH-619. Turn RIGHT onto MANCHESTER RD/OH-93. The park entrance is on the left.

Hiking & Backpacking
The Pheasant Run Loop is the fourth trail available at Portage Lakes State Park. It is a 2 mile running or hiking trail. Parking is available at the park office parking lot. To get onto the Pheasant Run Loop Trail, you must first get onto the Planet Walk Trail and then jump onto the Shoreline Trail which will then lead you to the Pheasant Run Trail. This trail will take you through the most southern part of the park on the inside of the road that leads to the major picnic areas. Like the Rabbit Loop Trail, this is more of a nature trail and will not take you along the water areas or beaches as the firs two trails at Portage Lakes State Park.

Rabbit Hill Loop Portage Lakes State Park - Ohio

31 May 2011

Submitted by: nphaskell on 31 May 2011

Directions:
From Columbus: Take I-71 towards CLEVELAND. Merge onto I-76 E/US-224 E via EXIT 209A. Take the STATE ST exit, EXIT 17A. Turn RIGHT onto W STATE ST. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 5TH ST NE/OH-619. Continue to follow OH-619. Turn RIGHT onto MANCHESTER RD/OH-93. The park entrance is on the left hand side.

Hiking & Backpacking
The Rabbit Hill Loop is one of four hiking or running trails at Portage Lakes State Park. This is a one mile self-guided nature trail. Parking is available at the park office parking lot. To get to the trail, you will first need to get onto the Planet Walk Trail, then onto the Shoreline Trail which will then allow you to get to the Rabbit Loop Trail. The main difference between this trail and the other first two trails available, is it is nestled in the middle of the southern part of the park and not near any of the beach areas. This is purely a nature trail and you will only go past the dog park.